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               ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5703

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State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove and Winsley)

READ FIRST TIME 03/05/01.

Directing a study to be conducted of mobile/manufactured home alteration and repair permit problems. 

    AN ACT Relating to alterations of mobile homes; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The labor, commerce, and financial institutions committee of the senate shall conduct a study of the problems of owners of mobile/manufactured homes in connection with obtaining the necessary permits for repair, remodel, maintenance, and alteration of their homes.  The committee shall enlist the assistance of mobile/manufactured homeowners, mobile/manufactured home mortgage lenders, the department of labor and industries, and other state or local government agencies as needed.

    The study shall address the following issues:

    (1) The fact that many mobile/manufactured homeowners have performed alterations or repairs to their homes without obtaining the required permits with the result that potential buyers may be unable to obtain mortgage financing from the usual sources;

    (2) The costs associated with obtaining required permits, particularly on those occasions when an engineering analysis is required;

    (3) The possibility of reducing the number and type of repairs and alterations that require a permit, consistent with public health and safety considerations;

    (4) The appropriateness of the current legal sanction for not obtaining a permit when required, which is that the home may not be sold;

    (5) Any methods, procedures, or changes in the law that can assist mobile/manufactured homeowners in the proper and economical maintenance and improvement of their homes, and the protection of their equity.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The committee shall complete the study and develop any recommended legislation prior to the beginning of the 2002 legislative session.

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