HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1567

BYRepresentatives Todd, Cooper, Nutley, J. Williams and Leonard

Verifying validity of a license for mobile home movement.

House Committe on Housing

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Nutley, Chair; Leonard, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Barnes, Sanders, Todd,J. Williams and Wineberry.

House Staff:Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HOUSING JANUARY 21, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Mobile homes or manufactured homes are built in a factory, the construction of which, since 1976, has been regulated by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.  These homes are built with wheel chassis, and are moved on the public highways.  A mobile home is oversize, which means it exceeds the dimensions that a vehicle, trailer, or other cargo can be moved on the public highways without escorts or permission by a governmental agency.

A special permit to move oversize loads on the public highways can be obtained from the Department of Transportation or the local government, depending on who has jurisdiction over the highway being traversed.

All mobile homes being moved in the state must have a special permit.  A certificate of taxes paid, where applicable, must be included for the permit to be valid.

Manufacturers and dealers of mobile homes are licensed and must be bonded by statute.  Manufacturers and dealers move mobile homes as a part of the business of manufacturing or selling the homes.  Transporters in the business of moving vehicles must be licensed.  There are no bond requirements, nor are there qualification standards for a transporter license.  One type of "vehicle" that a transporter moves is a mobile home.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Transportation or a local government, when processing a request for a special permit to move a mobile home, must verify that the person moving the home is properly licensed as a manufacturer, a dealer, or a transporter.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 18, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ron Clarke, Washington Manufactured Housing Association; John Jenson, Mobile Homeowners of America; and Arnold Livingston, Senior Citizens Lobby.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented

House Committee - Testimony For:    There have been many complaints of problems and damage caused by unlicensed persons who move mobile homes.  This legislation would make it more difficult for unlicensed movers to haul mobile homes.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.