HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5076

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Bluechel and Warnke)

Establishing a commission on mobile home rental space availability.

House Committe on Housing

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Nutley, Chair; Leonard, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Barnes, Sanders, Todd, J. Williams and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Padden

House Staff:Kenny Pittman (786-7392)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HOUSING FEBRUARY 23, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The cost of renting mobile home park spaces has risen rapidly in recent years.  Since a high percentage of these spaces are rented by senior citizens who have relatively low and fixed incomes, financial hardship has resulted.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED: The Task Force on Mobile Home Rental Space Availability (Task Force) is established. The Task Force consists of twelve members appointed by the legislature and representative organizations.  Task Force composition consists of four legislative members, and two representatives each from cities, counties, the mobile home park owners and mobile home owners.

The Task Force shall conduct a comprehensive examination of the issue of mobile home space availability.  In conducting its examination the Task Force will review data on the extent of rent increases on mobile home rental spaces, review local government regulations, including land use, for its impact on space availability, utilize existing data and expertise to the fullest extent possible and consult with other groups as it considers necessary.

The Task Force shall make recommendations, based on its examination, on policies to address the issue of mobile home rental space availability, and on the appropriate roles of state and local government and private sector on the issue of mobile home rental space availability.

The Task Force shall also develop a data base on mobile home rental space availability and affordability on a state-wide basis.

The Department of Community Development (Department) will provide administrative and clerical assistance to the Task Force as it carries out its duties.

The efforts of the Task Force will be coordinated with housing studies being conducted by the Department.  The preliminary report of the Task Force shall be submitted to the Housing Committee of the House of Representatives and the Economic Development and Labor Committee of the Senate by July 1, 1989 and the final report by July 1, 1990. The Task Force will terminate on July 1, 1992.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO SUBSTITUTE:  The name of the Commission on mobile home rental space availability is changed to the Task Force on mobile home rental space availability.

The legislative membership on the Task Force is reduced from eight to four.

The Department of Community Development will provide administrative and clerical assistance to the Task Force as it carries out its duties.

The preliminary and final reports prepared by the Task Force will be made to the legislative committees instead of the legislature.

Appropriation:    $30,000 to the Department of Community Development.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 19, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Alan Bluechel, Bill Sponsor; and John Jensen, Mobile Home Owners of America.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Fred Brume, King County Mobile Home Park Owners Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The constant increases in mobile home space rents and the lack of available mobile home space is a problem that should be addressed. The lack of mobile home park spaces and rent increases are a particular problem for elderly households on fixed-incomes. The formation of the Commission will provide a forum for all parties to discuss these issues and develop recommendations to this problem.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      While we agree with the approach of having all parties discuss the issue of mobile home rental park space availability and rent increases, the Commission concept is not needed at this time.  The efforts of the state-wide housing study and the advisory committee in the proposed office of Mobile Home Affairs should be used.  If these groups identify a problem, then a Commission to study the problem could be the next step.