Brown Signs Legislation To Prohibit Local Governments From Ticketing At Broken Meters

California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation proposed by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) that would take away local governments ability to ticket people at broken parking meters Monday.

The Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance July 31 that would temporarily keep drivers from receiving tickets at broken meters with the caveat the ordinance be reevaluated in six months to assess its effectiveness at deterring vandalism. Under AB 61 (Gatto’s parking bill), the City Council would not be able to reinstate the parking meter policy.

“'Local control' does not provide a right to fleece taxpayers," said Gatto in a written statement.  “The question of parking at a broken meter should not be up for review or reconsideration every six months, nor should motorists be subject to confusing ordinances as they drive from city to city.  It’s time to end this unfair practice throughout California.”

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the California State Assembly.  He represents areas of Los Angeles including Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz and Silver Lake.

 The law will go into effect on January 1, 2014.