SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5375

BYSenators Warnke, Smitherman and Bluechel

Creating the mobile homes, commercial coaches, recreational vehicles, and factory built housing and commercial structures account.

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 26, 1987; February 27, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5375 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Warnke, Chairman; Smitherman, Vice Chairman; Lee, Sellar, Tanner, Vognild, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Mark McDermott (786-7429)

                  February 27, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR, FEBRUARY 27, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Labor and Industries contracts with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct in-plant inspections of manufactured housing and mobile homes, and to handle consumer inquiries and complaints.  Commercial coaches and recreational vehicles are inspected in accordance with state statutes.

Revenues from inspection fees exceeded inspection costs by $233,000 in the 1983-85 biennium.  The Department has dedicated funds for electrical, plumbing and boiler inspection programs.  The elevator, manufactured housing, and mobile home inspection programs, and the contractor registration program are financed by the general fund.

SUMMARY:

A dedicated account is established in the State Treasury.  All inspection and insignia fees are placed in the account and are to be spent only for inspection and complaint service activities.  Disbursements from the account shall be on authorization of the Director of Labor and Industries, or the Director's designee.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A dedicated account is established in the custody of the state treasurer.  Up to 25 percent of the money in the fund may be used, after approval by the Director of Labor and Industries, for mobile or manufactured housing industry training.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Ron Clarke, Washington Manufactured Housing Association; John Jensen, Mobile Home Owners Association