HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6492

BYSenators McCaslin, Warnke, Zimmerman, Bluechel, Saling, Conner, Lee, Smitherman, Garrett and Madsen

Changing provisions relating to requirements for factory-assembled structures.

House Committe on Housing

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (9)

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

House Staff:Kenny Pittman (786-7392)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HOUSING FEBRUARY 23, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Labor and Industries (Department) is authorized to enforce rules and regulations governing the construction of factory built housing or factory built commercial structures in the state.

The department in considering its rules and regulations, for the construction of factory built housing or factory built commercial structures, is guided by the 1976 editions of: (a) the Uniform Building Code; (b) the Uniform Plumbing Code; (c) the Uniform Mechanical Code; and (d) the 1975 edition of the National Electrical Code.  These uniform codes are comprehensive sets of technical standards that are published by the International Conference of Building Officials, the Western Fire Chiefs Association, and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

Amendments to these codes are published annually and new editions are published every three years by the respective associations.  Currently, statutes must be amended in order to update these codes which are adopted by reference.

The department is authorized to set a fee schedule to cover the costs incurred in the administration and enforcement of the construction of mobile homes, commercial coaches, recreational vehicles, and factory built housing and factory built commercial structures.  This fee is collected for inspection services and compliance certification with applicable standards.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  Reference to specific editions of the uniform codes used for the construction of factory built housing or factory built commercial structures is removed.

The construction and inspection of factory built housing or factory built commercial structures is guided by the uniform codes as amended and maintained by the State Building Code Council.  These codes consist of: (a) the uniform energy code; (b) the uniform building code; (c) the uniform plumbing code; and (d) the uniform mechanical code.

The installation of electrical systems is guided by the national electrical code and rules adopted by the department.

A factory-assembled structures and recreational vehicles account (Account) is established in the custody of the state treasurer. Funding for this account is provided from inspection and insignia fees collected by the Department of Labor and Industries on mobile homes, commercial coaches, recreational vehicles, and factory built homes and factory built commercial structures.

The revenue in the account must be used for cost incurred by the department in the administration and enforcement of provisions relating to mobile homes, commercial coaches, recreational vehicles, factory built housing and factory built structures and to the extent funds are available, up to twenty-five percent, of the revenue in the account, may be used for: (1) mobile or manufactured housing industry training or education, recommended by the factory-assembled structures advisory board; (2) funding for the Office of Mobile Home Affairs, in the Department of Community Development; and (3) deposits into the housing trust fund.

Allocations from the account, for training and education purposes are authorized by the director of the department.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Funding for the Office of Mobile Home Affairs and deposits into the Housing Trust Fund are added as eligible uses of funds deposited into the Factory-Assembled Structures and Recreational vehicles Account, to the extent that surplus funds exist.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ron Clarke, Washington Manufactured Housing Association; and John H. Jensen, Mobile Home Owners of America.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The use of surplus funds for education and training purposes for the manufactured housing industry is needed.  This approach would not effect the funds needed for costs incurred by the department in enforcement and administration of the programs.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.