Jim Foutz doesn't drive much anymore at 87, but the license plate on his car tells his story: The North Highlands man survived the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The state grants Foutz and other decorated veterans special license plates that honor their sacrifice publicly.

A new state law opens up even more vehicle privileges for decorated veterans such as Foutz. Cities and counties can extend free parking at metered spots for veterans who have the special license plates.

The plates are issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles to verified recipients of the Medal of Honor, Legion of Valor and Purple Hearts, and to Pearl Harbor survivors and prisoners of war.

"They've singled out the heroes of the military," said James Rowoldt, secretary-treasurer for the statewide office of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The law, which took effect Jan. 1, extended the privilege automatically statewide, but each city and county still must authorize the parking perk for decorated veterans.

Some cities, such as West Sacramento and Roseville, have no parking meters.

Sacramento, which has 5,332 parking meters within the city, has not adopted an ordinance yet, but discussion is under way, said Linda Tucker, a city spokeswoman. The meters generate $3.5 million annually for the city's general fund. No research has been done on how much revenue the city could lose, but it would probably be minimal, Tucker said.

A statewide group of public-parking representatives, which includes cities, airports, schools and hospitals, objected to the state law because it creates a precedent for waiving parking fees, said Robert Horch, legislative chairman for the California Public Parking Association.

Free meter parking is given to drivers who display disabled license plates or placards, because limited mobility would make it difficult to keep moving their cars or feed the meter, said Horch, who is also parking services manager for the city of San Luis Obispo.

The exception for veterans, who could be able-bodied and young, would be a monetary benefit, Horch said.

The group is not opposed to veterans, but other groups could believe they deserve the same privilege, Horch said.

"Our concern is, what's next?" he said.

The law also did not provide a way to let veterans know which cities will offer free parking, Horch said.

Rowoldt, a Vietnam Army veteran, said some states offer free hunting and fishing licenses to veterans, and the free meter parking would be no different. Because it is limited to certain veterans rather than all 2 million in the state, the financial effect should not be significant, he said.

Of the 23 million noncommercial vehicles registered in California, less than 9,000 are issued to decorated veterans who would qualify for the free parking meter spots.

The city of Fresno has been granting free meter parking to veterans with the special plates since 1997.

The Legion of Valor Museum, honoring veterans, is across the street from Fresno City Hall, and city officials wanted to give visiting veterans and volunteers a place to park, said Del Estabrooke, parking services manager.

"It's the right thing to do," he said. "There is a pretty heavy veteran presence, and we try to take good care of them."

The free privileges do not disrupt city parking, Estabrooke said.

Foutz, the North Highlands Pearl Harbor survivor, is the father-in-law of Tom Lucero, past post commander of VFW Post 4647 in North Highlands. It's the state's largest post.

Lucero, a Navy veteran of Vietnam, doesn't have one of the special plates, but he is hoping the post will lobby the Sacramento City Council to grant free meter time to decorated veterans.

"We should get it for our service to the country. You bet," he said.

Sam Clower, 90, state chairman of the California Pearl Harbor Survivors, said a lot of vets in his group either don't drive much anymore or, like him, have a handicapped parking license plate or placard.

Clower, who lives in Rosemont, said bestowing free meter parking on the few veterans who qualify is still meaningful.

"It's a gesture of appreciation," he said.

Call The Bee's M.S. Enkoji, (916) 321-1106.