SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6492

BYSenators McCaslin, Warnke, Zimmerman, Bluechel, Saling, Conner, Lee, Smitherman, Garrett and Madsen

Changing provisions relating to requirements for factory-assembled structures.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 4, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Cantu, Conner, Deccio, Saling.

Senate Staff:Dave Cheal (786-7576)

                  February 13, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 12, 1988

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.  For the 1987-89 biennium, the surplus is estimated at $371,501.  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.  With the director's approval, up to 25 percent of the money in the account may be used for manufactured housing industry training and education.

A change is made to the reference to building codes the department must consider when adopting safety rules for manufactured housing.  The change is to reference uniform codes adopted by the State Building Code Council rather than those published by an out-of-state entity.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 29, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Ron Clarke (for)