HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5369

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Economic Development & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Bluechel, Warnke, Smith, Lee and von Reichbauer)

Increasing mobile home space availability.

House Committe on Housing

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (7)

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

House Staff:Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 13, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In some local jurisdictions in the state, mobile home parks are being closed because of private land use changes.  There also appears to be a shortage of mobile home park spaces in some of these areas.

An initiative in 1988 to provide controls on an argued escalating rent level in mobile home parks failed to obtain the necessary number of signatures.

SUMMARY:

The Office of Mobile Home Affairs is to work with the mobile home space availability and affordability task force to develop recommendations on:  (1) increasing the availability of mobile home park spaces; (2) stabilizing rent levels through traditional market forces of supply and demand and through incentives such as current use valuation, but not through rent control; and (3) assisting senior citizens on fixed incomes to stay in the mobile home park, including possible subsidies.

The 10 member mobile home space availability and affordability task force is comprised of four legislators, two from each house, and two representatives of park owners, tenants, and local governments. Staffing for the task force is provided by the Department of Community Development, the House Housing Committee, and the Senate Economic Development and Labor Committee.

In developing these recommendations, the Office of Mobile Home Affairs and the task force are to:  (1) review local government ordinances; (2) consult with government agencies, industry representatives, citizens groups, and other necessary organizations; (3) avoid duplication; and (4) hold public hearings.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Arnold Livingston, Senior Citizens Lobby and Mobile Home Owners of America.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Morton Clark, Fred Brune, and Mark Gjurasic, Washington Mobile Park Owners Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This legislation will help provide guidance to the legislature on serious issues affecting mobile homeowners, especially senior citizens.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      The Office of Mobile Home Affairs should not get involved with rent control issues.  Tenants and landlords together can work on these problems without legislation.