Florida Attorney David Magann Welcomes Free Airport Parking for Disabled Veterans

Tampa, FL (Law Firm Newswire) April 27, 2016 – The Florida Legislature on February 24 unanimously passed a bill that will grant disabled veterans free parking at all public airports across Florida.

The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Ken Roberson, R-Punta Gorda, and Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice. Under the measure, publicly owned or operated airports in the state will be barred from charging disabled veterans for parking. However, individuals must have a disabled veteran license plate in order to be eligible. Earlier, veterans would only qualify for free parking if their cars were specially equipped with wheelchair lifts, ramps or hand or foot controls.

“The change in the law will help to clarify any confusion,” said David W. Magann, a prominent attorney in Tampa, Florida, whose firm specializes in legal services for veterans. “Specialized equipment should not have to be the deciding factor for whether disabled veterans receive free parking or not. Simply displaying a disabled license plate should be enough.”

The legislation was drafted in response to complaints from retired Marine Lou Hockel of Saratosa County. The veteran claimed he was refused free parking at Tampa International Airport during summer 2015. He was unable to avail of the privilege despite knowing about an existing law passed a year earlier granting disabled veterans free parking at state airports. He then got in touch with Detert, who began working on a new law clarifying the old one.

Florida has around 41,000 veterans who have a special disabled veteran license plate. Such license plates can only be obtained if drivers can prove they were honorably discharged and that they have a 100 percent disability designation by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to Roberson, free parking will only be granted if the vehicle is being used by the veteran who was issued the special license plate. In addition, veterans may only avail of the free parking for one week. The change in the law goes into effect on July 1. However, Tampa International has already changed its policies to allow disabled veterans with the special plates to park for free.

The legislation recently passed both houses and is awaiting approval from Gov. Rick Scott. “The bill is definitely a step in the right direction when it comes to helping Florida be a more veteran-friendly state,” said Magann.

Learn more at http://www.tampaveteranslawyer.com/ David W. Magann, P.A. Main Office: 156 West Robertson Street Brandon, FL 33511 Call: (813) 657-9175 Tampa Office: 18715 N Dale Mabry Hwy Lutz, FL 33548