One of my peeves also. At my gym, there are several people with placards/plates that park in the spaces. Then . . . . come in and get on a treadmill. Or one guy who brags that there's not enough weight in the gym for him to do squats. (him and I have already had words) And yet one more that does sets of squats with 225lbs.
In Texas, as of September '21, disable veteran plates now require a state issued handicap placard also to use a handicap space.