SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6209

BYSenators Lee, Bailey and Murray

Revising provisions for mobile home relocation fund assessments.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 17, 1990; January 29, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Murray, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, Williams.

Senate Staff:David Cheal (786-7576)

                  February 2, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1989 the Legislature enacted the Mobile Home Relocation Assistance Act to deal with the growing problem of mobile home park closures, and the resultant severe financial impact on mobile home park tenants.  The act provides a grant to tenants forced to relocate as a result of park closure.  One source of funds for the relocation grants is a mobile home relocation assistance fund created by annual $10 assessments on every mobile park resident in the state.  This source of funds would be used for relocation grants beginning July 1, 1991.  The task of collecting these assessments and transmitting them to the State Treasurer was given to county treasurers.

County treasurers have brought certain problems in connection with the existing law to the attention of the Legislature.  They have pointed out that generally it is the county assessors who are responsible for compiling property tax data including the names and addresses of taxpayers.  The treasurers have indicated that while they can easily compile a list of every household in their county that resides in a mobile home, they have no way of knowing which of these households reside in mobile home parks.

The 1989 act allows treasurers to impose a fee for collecting the assessment created.  The fee may be up to 5 percent of the dollar value of the amount collected.  Treasurers have indicated that this is an inadequate amount to create the special roster of mobile home residents who live in mobile home parks.

SUMMARY:

County assessors are authorized to compile the list of persons subject to the relocation assistance assessment by whatever manner they determine to be the most efficient and reliable.  They are expressly authorized to use a method of self certification.  Under this method, the notice would be sent to all mobile home owners within the county with instructions that they will have to pay the assessment unless they do not live in a mobile home park.  To be excused from the assessment, they would be instructed to execute a statement under oath before a notary public that they do not live in a mobile home park, and return that statement to the treasurer.

Treasurers are authorized to use this method annually, or at other intervals until they determine the list is accurate, or as a means of updating, or cross checking other sources of information.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Mike Murphy, County Treasurers Association (con); Fred Saeger (con); John Woodring (pro); Arnold Livingston (pro); Mike Ryherd (pro); Paul McWharton (pro)