SALEM, Ore. — A bill offering free parking passes to disabled veterans passed the Oregon State Senate yesterday. The "Oregon Wounded Warrior" parking permit would allow veterans with over 50 percent disability to park for no charge and any amount of time in metered or time-limited spots throughout Oregon.

The "Wounded Warrior" permit would be in a special class just beyond current disability permits. Currently, only specific wheelchair-user permits allow free parking in metered spaces and unlimited parking in time-limited spaces. The "Wounded Warrior" permit would allow veterans the same benefits that wheelchair-user permits grant, without necessitating that veterans require a wheelchair. As long as veterans can prove a service-related disability of at least 50 percent, they would qualify for the new permit.

Senate Bill 1506 enjoys bipartisan sponsorship, and will now go onto the Oregon House of Representatives for consideration.