H-4958              _______________________________________________

                                          SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1566

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By House Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Todd, Sayan, Nutley, Leonard, Crane, Walk and Unsoeld)

Read first time 2/5/88.

AN ACT Relating to mobile home installation and warranty service standards; amending RCW 43.22.440; adding a new section to chapter 19.28 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 1, chapter 153, Laws of 1980 and RCW 43.22.440 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) The legislature finds that inspections of mobile home installation are not done on a consistent basis.  Mobile homes provide housing for many people in the state, and improperly installed mobile homes are a serious health and safety risk.  Where possible and practical, mobile homes should be treated the same as any housing inhabited or to be inhabited by persons in this state, including housing built according to the state building code.

(2) In consultation with the ((governor's)) factory assembled structures advisory board for mobile homes, the director of labor and industries shall by rule establish ((minimum)) uniform standards for the performance and workmanship of installation service and warranty service by persons or entities engaged in performing the services within this state for all mobile homes, as defined in RCW 46.04.302.  The standards shall conform, where applicable, with statutes, rules, and recommendations established under the federal national mobile home construction and safety standards act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5401 et seq.), and the department shall also consider standard manufacturer guidelines.  In consultation with the factory assembled structures advisory board, the director shall establish procedures for resolving disputes and making interpretations regarding the general installation requirements for mobile homes, and such dispute resolution and interpretations shall be binding.  These rules regarding the installation of mobile homes shall be enforced and fees charged by the counties and cities in the same manner the state building code is enforced under RCW 19.27.050.  The department may provide training and technical assistance to the counties and cities.  ((The rules may, to the extent deemed necessary by the director, provide for inspection and enforcement of the standards so established, and may permit the director to appoint an agent, or agents, as necessary to provide for the inspections and enforcement.

          (2))) (3) In addition to and in conjunction with the remedies provided in this chapter, failure to remedy any breach of the standards and rules so established, upon adequate notice and within a reasonable time, is a violation of the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW and subject to the remedies provided in that chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 19.28 RCW to read as follows:

          The director shall work with representatives of local government to resolve the problem of electrical inspections being done without a proper permit from the local government posted on the site of the inspection, and the director shall report on this issue to the housing committee in the house of representatives and the economic development and labor committee in the senate by December 1, 1988.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.