HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2492

                       As Passed House

                      February 13, 1992

Title:  An act relating to correcting double amendments relating to regulation of mobile and manufactured homes.

Brief Description:  Correcting double amendments relating to regulation of mobile and manufactured homes.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Franklin, Mitchell, Nelson and Winsley.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Housing, January 24, 1992, DP;

Passed House, February 13, 1992, 94-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HOUSING

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 6 members:  Representatives Nelson, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Mitchell, Ranking Minority Member; Winsley, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Leonard; and Ogden.

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786-7092).

Background:  In 1989, the Legislature enacted double amendments to two statutes contained in the Motor Vehicle Law that pertain to mobile homes.

The definition of a "mobile home" was amended in two separate bills.  Both bills required that the structure of a mobile home must meet the National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974.  Only one of the bills, however, specifically stated that the definition does not include a modular home.

The statute that governs the transfer of ownership of a mobile home was also amended in two separate bills.  One of the bills eliminated the requirement that both spouses must sign the title certificate to transfer ownership in a community mobile home.  Eliminating the requirement that both spouses must sign in order to transfer the ownership interest in a community mobile home is inconsistent with community property and homestead laws.

The Washington Law Revision Commission is attempting to remove double amendments from the Revised Code of Washington in order to reduce conflicts in the interpretation of the law.

Summary of Bill:  The definition of a mobile home is amended to specifically state that modular homes are not included within the definition.

Both spouses must sign the title certificate to transfer ownership in a community mobile home.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.