SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6380

              As Passed Senate, February 12, 1998

Title:  An act relating to mobile home relocation assistance.

Brief Description:  Providing mobile home relocation assistance.

Sponsors:  Senators Winsley, Prentice, Hale, Oke, Patterson and Goings; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Financial Institutions, Insurance & Housing:  1/20/98, 2/4/98 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/12/98, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INSURANCE & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Winsley, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Finkbeiner, Hale, Heavey, Kline and Prentice.

Staff:  Dave Cheal (786-7576)

Background:  Mobile home park closures present a substantial financial hardship to tenants due to the expense involved in moving mobile homes.  The Legislature has made several attempts to provide assistance, and a small amount of money remains in a fund for that purpose.

Currently, tenants whose park is closed and are eligible for assistance must submit vouchers for actual expenses and are paid actual expenses up to a ceiling.

The maximum amounts available now are $6,500 for a double-wide home and $3,500 for a single-wide home.

Summary of Bill:  The grants for owners of double-wide homes who are eligible for relocation assistance are increased to $7,000.  Grants for single-wide home owners remain at $3,500.

Persons eligible for assistance will receive the maximum amount without submitting receipts and other proof of expenses minus relocation assistance received from other sources.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 16, 1998.

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

Testimony For:  Many parks are vulnerable to closure due to redevelopment pressures.  The increased grant level is necessary due to increases in the cost of moving a double-wide mobile home.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  John LeRocque, CTED; Ray Munsen, MHOA; Majken Ryherd Keira.

House Amendment(s):  The grant to eligible mobile home owners is limited to actual costs, up to $7,000 for a double-wide and $3,500 for a single-wide home.  The original bill provided a fixed amount without regard to actual cost.

Amendments are made to the installer certification act.  The definition of Ainstallation@ includes earthquake resistant bracing systems.

Private installer training courses are authorized subject to Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development approval.

Installation permits and final approvals must indicate the name and registration number of the contractor and identify the work done by each contractor that worked on the installation.