Bill would prohibit ticketing cars at broken parking meters

Legislation introduced by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake) that would prevent cities from ticketing motorists who park at broken meters sailed through the state Assembly on Thursday.

Assembly Bill 61 passed on a 71-0 vote and now heads to the state Senate, where it will be assigned to a policy committee, Gatto’s office said Thursday.

In a statement, Gatto said the legislation was meant to ensure that the maximum number of parking spots remain available for drivers.

“Forcing someone to aimlessly drive around in search of a parking spot when there are perfectly good spots available is not good for the driver or for the environment,” he said. “A driver should not be forced to park at an expensive lot when street parking is available.”

The bill would allow drivers to use the space for the same amount of time as if the meter was functioning.

Gatto drafted the bill after the Los Angeles City Council adopted an unpopular ordinance last year allowing drivers who park at broken meters to be ticketed. That move was in response to a state bill permitting parking at broken meters unless a specific ordinance prohibits it.

Gatto’s legislation isn’t expected to have much of an impact in the tri-city area — Burbank doesn’t employ parking meters, and neither Glendale nor Pasadena prohibits parking at a broken or malfunctioning meter, although drivers can’t park longer than the posted time limit. But it would shore up confusion among drivers who go from city to city, each with their own rules.

If it eventually becomes law, Gatto’s bill would also prompt cities to fix broken meters, not, he said, “squeeze a double-penalty out of its citizens.”

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