HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1764

BYRepresentatives Cooper, Ferguson, Sayan, Nutley, Padden, Todd, Anderson and Rector

Creating a dedicated fund for manufactured housing inspection fees.

House Committe on Housing

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Nutley, Chair; Leonard, Vice Chair; Winsley, Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Inslee, Padden, Rector and Todd.

House Staff:Kenny Pittman (786-7392)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HOUSING FEBRUARY 17, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Labor and Industries is responsible for the in-plant inspection and certification of manufactured/mobile homes, commercial coaches, recreational vehicles, and factory built housing and commercial structures.  The inspection of manufactured/mobile homes is through a contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  As part its contract with HUD, the Department of Labor and Industries also handles consumer inquiries and complaints.  The inspection of commercial coaches, recreational vehicles, and factory built housing and commercial structures is mandated by state statutes.

The revenues generated from inspection fees for electrical, plumbing and boiler inspection programs are deposited into separate dedicated funds to cover the costs of administering these programs.  The inspection fees generated from manufactured/mobile home are deposited into the general fund.

SUMMARY:

A factory-assembled structures and recreational vehicle account is created in the custody of the state treasurer.  All inspection and insignia fees for manufactured/mobile homes, commercial coaches, recreational vehicles, and factory built housing and commercial structures are placed in the account.

The use of the funds in the account is limited to: (a) administration and enforcement costs of the Department of Labor and Industries; and (b) with the director's approval, up to 25 percent may be used for manufactured/mobile home industry training or education recommended by the factory assembled structures advisory board.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ron Clarke, Washington Manufactured Housing Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The money in this account would be generated from in-plant inspections and insignia fees.  The fees in excess of what is needed for administration and enforcement by the Department of Labor and Industries should be used to support educational and training activities for the industry.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.