February 23, 1998

BILL ANALYSIS

TO:       Members, Committee on Trade and Economic Development

FROM:     Kenny Pittman, Research Analyst  (786-7392)

RE:       SB 6380 - Providing mobile home relocation assistance.

BACKGROUND:

The Mobile Home Relocation Assistance Act, enacted in 1989, provided relocation assistance to tenants of mobile home parks scheduled for closure or conversion to another use.  Funds used to make payments of relocation assistance was generated from a $50 fee imposed on the transfer or elimination of a mobile home title and a $5 annual fee on mobile home park owners for each occupied lot in their mobile home park.

In 1993, the Supreme Court of Washington found the monetary payment requirements for mobile home park owners contained in the Mobile Home Relocation Assistance Act to be unconstitutional.  The remainder of the act was also invalidated by the court decision.

In 1995, the Legislature re-enacted the Mobile Home Relocation Assistance Act.  A mobile home park tenant whose park is closed after December 31, 1995 is eligible for assistance to relocate their mobile home to another mobile home park.  Tenants are required to submit their requests on vouchers for actual expenses and are paid actual expenses up to a maximum of $6,500 for a double-wide mobile home and $3,500 for a single-wide mobile home.

SUMMARY:

The grant amount available for relocation assistance under the Mobile Home Relocation Assistance Act is increased from $6,500 to $7,000 for a double-wide mobile home.  The grant amount for a single-wide mobile home remains at $3,500.  A person eligible for relocation assistance will receive the maximum grant amounts without having to submit receipts and other proof of expenses minus relocation assistance from other sources.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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