HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1376

             As Reported By House Committee On:

            Trade, Economic Development & Housing

Title:  An act relating to political and tenant meetings in mobile home parks.

Brief Description:  Allowing mobile home tenants to hold forums for candidates for public office.

Sponsors:  Representatives Brough, Shin, Forner, Franklin, Casada, Ballard, Vance, Leonard, Chappell, Wineberry, Carlson, Roland, Long, Campbell, Cothern, G. Cole, Flemming, H. Myers and Jacobsen.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, February 24, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Forner, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Morris; Quall; Sheldon; Springer; and Valle.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  Landlords are prohibited under the Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act from restricting or denying park tenants from engaging in certain activities.  Landlords are specifically prohibited from denying park tenants the opportunity to meet to discuss mobile home living and affairs, so long as the meetings are conducted at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner.  Landlords cannot penalize a tenant for participating in such meetings.

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 participating in forums and giving speeches in some mobile home parks.

Summary of Bill:  Mobile home park landlords may not prohibit forums for, or speeches by, public officials or candidates for public office, or meetings of organizations that represent the interest of tenants that are held in the park community or recreation halls that are open for use of the tenants.  Any such forum, speech, or meeting must be held at a reasonable time and in an orderly manner.  Landlords are also prohibited from penalizing any tenant from participating in these activities.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Tenants in mobile home parks should be allowed to hold meetings in the mobile home park community or recreation center.  This would allow them to invite candidates or elected officials to discuss issues that are important to them.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Brough, Prime Sponsor (pro); and Arnold Livingston, Senior Lobby (pro).