HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2339

BYRepresentatives Brough, Nutley, Winsley, Leonard, R. King, Jacobsen, Todd, Crane and K. Wilson 

Allowing mobile home tenants to hold forums for candidates and public officials.

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (7)

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

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Inslee.

House Committe on Housing

House Staff:Bill Lynch (786-7092)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HOUSING JANUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act prohibits landlords of mobile home parks from restricting or denying park tenants from engaging in certain activities.  The act specifies that landlords may not prohibit meetings by tenants to discuss mobile home living and affairs.  Any such meetings must be held at reasonable times and in an orderly manner on the premises.  Landlords also may not penalize any tenant for participating in these activities.

Nothing in the Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act specifically prohibits landlords from denying forums for or speeches by public officials or candidates for public office.  Public officials and political candidates have been prohibited from having forums and giving speeches in some mobile home parks.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  Mobile home park landlords may not prohibit forums for or speeches of public officials or candidates for public office held in any of the park community or recreation halls if these halls are available for the use of the park tenants. Landlords are also prohibited from preventing public officials or candidates from meeting with or distributing information to tenants at their individual mobile homes.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL: Language is added to clarify that political speeches and forums in the park community or recreation halls cannot be prohibited if the halls are otherwise open for the use of the tenants.

Language is added to prevent mobile home park landlords from prohibiting public officials or candidates from meeting with or distributing information to tenants at their individual mobile homes.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Brough, prime sponsor; and George Lee, mobile home park resident, testified for the original bill.

House Committee - Testified Against:      John Woodring and Teresa Bosler, Washington Mobile Home Park Owners Association, testified against the original bill.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Mobile home park tenants should be allowed to invite candidates for public office and public officials into the park for meetings in the community or recreation halls.  This helps educate the residents on issues and candidates.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Landlords are concerned about opening up the community and recreation halls to the general public.  This would affect their insurance rates.