HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 2335

                              As Passed House

                             February 11, 1992

Title:  An act relating to political meetings in mobile home parks.

Brief Description:  Allowing mobile home tenants to hold forums for candidates for public office.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Brough, Nelson, Mitchell, Zellinsky, Vance, Jacobsen, Paris, J. Kohl, Silver, Carlson, Sprenkle and Anderson.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Housing, February 4, 1992, DP;

Passed House, February 11, 1992, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HOUSING

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives Nelson, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Mitchell, Ranking Minority Member; Winsley, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Leonard; Ogden; and Wineberry.

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786-7092).

Background:  Landlords are prohibited under the Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act from restricting or denying park tenants from engaging in certain activities.  Landlords are specifically prohibited from denying park tenants the opportunity to meet to discuss mobile home living and affairs, so long as the meetings are conducted at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner.  Landlords cannot penalize a tenant for participating in such meetings.

Nothing in the Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act specifically prohibits landlords from denying forums for, or speeches by, public officials or candidates for public office.  Public officials and political candidates have been prohibited from participating in forums and giving speeches in some mobile home parks.

Summary of Bill:  Mobile home park landlords may not prohibit forums for, or speeches by, public officials or candidates for public office that are held in any of the park community or recreation halls that are open for the use of the tenants.  Landlords are also prohibited from penalizing any tenant from participating in these activities.  Any such forum or speech must be held at a reasonable time in an orderly manner.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  Seniors have difficulty going out in the evening to attend candidates' nights.  This bill would enable more senior citizens to meet with their public officials and candidates for public office.

Testimony Against:  People who don't live in the park may come in and cause damage.  This bill could affect insurance rates of the park owner.

Witnesses:  Representative Brough; Arnold Livingston, Senior Lobby (supports); and Morton Clark, Mobile Home Park Owner's Association (opposes).