Committee rejects bill to penalize unauthorized parking in EV charging spaces, 9to6

The House Transportation Committee voted 9to6 to recommend HB1536 "inexpedient to legislate," effectively killing the bill in committee. The measure would have established penalties for unauthorized parking in spaces reserved for electric-vehicle and motorcycle charging.

Representative Coker, who moved ITL, cautioned against expanding government enforcement into disputes that private property owners can address themselves: "I don't think it's a good idea to expand the government's role in this area," he said, arguing property owners and private towing can enforce charging-space rules.

Opponents of ITL pushed back that enforcing reserved charging spaces protects businesses that invested in charging infrastructure and the customers who need access. Representative Bayou described unauthorized parking in charging spaces as ‘‘essentially theft of service’’ because it prevents a business from serving customers who need chargers. Representative Miller argued state intervention was appropriate to protect those private investments and local infrastructure.

Chairman Walsh pointed to a $116,000 fiscal note attached to the bill and said that fiscal implications made it likely the measure would not survive a second committee even if reported. That factor, coupled with divided committee sentiment, influenced the decision to adopt ITL.

The committee's recommendation of ITL was recorded in a roll call; chair closed the executive session on the bill after the vote. Members on both sides signaled interest in alternative approaches to protect charging infrastructure without creating an enforcement regime the committee found fiscally or administratively problematic.