SB 6364-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Declares that the purpose of this act is to implement the recommendations of the joint legislative task force created by chapter 335, Laws of 2001.

     Recognizes the need to improve communications among mobile/manufactured homeowners, regulatory agencies, and other interested parties, to streamline the complex regulatory environment and inflexible enforcement system, and to promote problem-solving at an early stage.  To assist in achieving these goals, the legislature: (1) Encourages the relevant agencies to conduct a pilot project that tests an interagency coordinated system for processing permits for alterations or repairs of mobile and manufactured homes; and

     (2) Recognizes the task force's work in reviewing agency rules related to alteration permit requirements and supports the task force's recommendations to the agency regarding those rules.

     Finds that assisting consumers to understand when an alteration of a mobile or manufactured home is subject to a permit, and when it is not, will improve compliance with the agency rules and further the code's safety goals.

     Provides that, in addition to or in lieu of any other penalty applicable under chapter 43.22 RCW, the department may assess a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars against a contractor, firm, partnership, or corporation, that fails to obtain a permit before altering a mobile or manufactured home as required under this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter.  Each day on which a violation occurs constitutes a separate violation.  However, the cumulative penalty for the same occurrence may not exceed five thousand dollars.

     Declares that this chapter does not prohibit the sale of an altered mobile or manufactured home installed in accordance with the standards adopted under RCW 43.22.440.  If, after an inspection requested by any party to a sale, including a party financing the sale, the department determines that an alteration may constitute a hazard to life, safety, or health, the department shall so notify the parties in writing within thirty days of completing the inspection and may notify the local official responsible for enforcing the uniform fire code adopted under chapter 19.27 RCW or local health officer, as applicable, within the relevant jurisdiction.