SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2861

BYHouse Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Leonard, Winsley, Ferguson, Padden, Nutley, Cooper, Rector, Horn, Anderson, R. Meyers, Inslee, Ballard and Todd)

Transferring the responsibilities for the regulation of manufactured housing.

House Committe on Housing

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1990; February 22, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; McMullen, Matson, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, Williams.

Senate Staff:Jack Brummel (786-7428)

                  February 22, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature created the Office of Mobile Home Affairs in the Department of Community Development in 1988.  The office serves as the coordinating office in state government for matters relating to mobile homes and manufactured housing.

Regulation of mobile homes or manufactured housing is divided among different state agencies, including the Department of Labor and Industries and the Department of Licensing.  It is suggested that consolidating some of these functions within the Office of Mobile Home Affairs would simplify government services for clients.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Community Development is responsible for performing all functions required of state administrative agencies by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations on manufactured housing.  The department is responsible for these functions beginning on July 1, 1991.

The Department of Community Development may enter into state or local interagency agreements to coordinate site inspection activities with record monitoring and complaint handling.  The interagency agreement may provide for the sharing of administrative revenues based upon each agency's responsibilities.

The Department of Licensing must transfer all mobile home titling functions to the Department of Community Development by July 1, 1991.

The Department of Licensing, the Department of Labor and Industries, and the Department of Community Development must report to the Housing Committee of the House of Representatives and the Economic Development and Labor Committee of the Senate by July 1, 1990, regarding their progress in transferring functions to the Department of Community Development.  The report must also include their recommendations for transferring other mobile home related functions to the Department of Community Development.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 2, 1990

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The report to the Legislature must be conducted in consultation with local governments and include a review of the advantages and disadvantages of transferring other mobile home related functions.

Senate Committee - Testified: PRO:  Representative Leonard, original prime sponsor; Ron Clarke, WA Manufactured Housing Association; Heather Hamilton, DOL; Joe Brewer, L&I; Mike Piper, DCD; CON:  Blair Patrick, WA Association of Building Officials