Brief Description: Regulating utility services and connection charges for certain mobile home parks.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Financial Services, Insurance & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators West and Winsley).

Hearing Date: 3/27/03

Staff: Amy Wood (786-7127).

Background:

Cities, towns, and counties (local governments) are authorized to construct, maintain, and operate sewer systems. Local governments do not have express statutory authority to require property owners to connect to a sewer system. However, if a local government determines that a septic system has failed, they are directed to take corrective actions to address the condition.

Unlike local governments, water-sewer districts have express authority to require property owners within an area serviced by the districts' sewers to connect to the sewer system, regardless if the septic system has failed or not.

In 1998 the Legislature prohibited cities, towns, or counties from requiring that an existing mobile home park replace an existing, functional septic system with a sewer system within the community unless the local board of health determines that the septic system is failing.

Summary of Bill:

A city, town, county, local improvement district, utility local improvement district, municipal corporation, political subdivision, or any other person, firm, or corporation cannot require a mobile home park to pay a utility assessment, connection charge, or any other charge associated with a utility until the mobile home park actually connects to a utility or no longer operates as a mobile home park.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.