SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5767

BYSenators Warnke, Smitherman and von Reichbauer

Creating an office of mobile home affairs.

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 18, 1987; February 27, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5767 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Warnke, Chairman; Smitherman, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vognild, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Patrick Woods (786-7430)

                  March 3, 1987

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 9, 1987

Senate Staff:Stephen Rose (786-7443)

AS OF MARCH 9, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Currently numerous state and local government departments have regulatory responsibilities concerning mobile homes.  The Department of Labor and Industries regulates construction standards for mobile homes; the Department of Licensing licenses and regulates mobile home manufacturers and dealers to ensure compliance with warranty agreements and sales practices; the Attorney General's office administers the Consumer Protection Act in relation to mobile home sales; and the Department of Transportation administers a permit process for the transportation of mobile homes.  In addition, local government agencies administer local building, health, and land use planning ordinances which impact mobile homes and mobile home parks.

At the present time no state government agency provides:  ombudsman service to mobile home owners and tenants regarding disputes under the Landlord-Tenant Act; or develops policies regarding the specific utilization of mobile homes to address the housing needs of the state's citizens; or advises state and local governments on mobile home issues.

The Department of Community Development administers several state and federal programs pertaining to housing, staffs the state Building Code Council and interfaces with local governments on zoning and land use planning issues.  In addition, within the last five years the Department has conducted two studies concerning mobile homes.

SUMMARY:

An office of mobile home affairs is established within the Department of Community Development to:  coordinate state government regulations of mobile homes; provide ombudsman service to mobile home park owners and tenants regarding disputes under the Landlord-Tenant Act; and provide ombudsman service to mobile home park owners and tenants regarding accessing governmental services pertaining to health and safety within the parks.

The office is directed to develop policies and strategies to promote the utilization of mobile homes or manufactured housing to address the state's housing needs and advise the Legislature, state departments and local governments on mobile home issues.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Legislature states that the goals of the office are to: provide effective and co-ordinated regulation of mobile homes; develop comprehensive policies on mobile home issues; and assist in resolving disputes concerning the Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act.

The Office of Mobile Home Affairs is prohibited from considering or developing policies regarding rental rates for mobile homes.

An advisory committee to the Mobile Home Affairs Office is established.  The committee is appointed by the Director of the Department of Community Development, and is made up representatives of the mobile home tenants, landlords, and manufacturers, a local government official, and a member of the general public.  The review of issues affecting the Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act is limited to tenants, park, and public members.  Committee members receive no compensation.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: COMMERCE & LABOR: John Jensen, Mobile Home Owners of America; John Woodring, Washington Mobile Home Park Owners Association