Lawmakers’ Legislation, Signed by Governor in 2016, Exempts Certain Vets from Parking Meter Fees
Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano on Thursday welcomed the introduction of new parking placards that will exempt certain veterans from municipal parking meter fees.
“The courageous men and women who put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of our nation’s freedom have sacrificed their time, their safety, and in some cases, their very lives,” said DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex), vice-chair of the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Purple Heart recipients and veterans with disabilities have already given enough. While we can never repay them for their patriotism and selflessness, providing these placards is a small way for New Jersey to express its gratitude.”
The rollout of the placards stemmed from legislation the lawmakers sponsored to exempt Purple Heart recipients and disabled veterans from the payment of municipal parking meter fees when they display special New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission license plates or placards on their vehicles. The governor signed the bill into law in January 2016, shortly after it received unanimous approval from both houses of the legislature. The law provides eligible veterans with up to 24 hours of free parking in a single location.
Although the MVC already had the license plates in place, their lack of portability confined veterans to driving and traveling in only the vehicle with the plates, the legislators noted. The new placards, which can be hung on the rearview mirror of a vehicle, will afford veterans the same privileges as the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran license plates while also allowing them to easily exercise their privileges in more than one vehicle. These placards are subject to renewal every three years.
“Our state is always looking for new ways to honor veterans, and I was pleased to see the legislature and the governor unite to make life a little easier for those who served,” said Quijano (D-Union). “Introducing these portable placards as an alternative to the existing corresponding license plates will give veterans the option of exercising their privileges if they drive or travel in more than one vehicle.”
The Purple Heart, the nation’s oldest military award, is awarded to those who were wounded or killed while serving in the United States military.