Brief Description: Moving mobile homes by mobile home park owners.

Sponsors: Representatives Morris, Pearson, Sullivan, Miloscia and Kristiansen.

Hearing Date: 1/29/03

Staff: Reema Griffith (786-7301).

Background:

Under current law, a person interested in moving a mobile home upon a public highway must obtain a special movement permit from the Department of Transportation (DOT). However, the permit is not valid until the County Treasurer provides an endorsement certifying that all property taxes have been paid on the dwelling. If taxes are owed, the County will not issue the certification until the taxes are paid in full, which therefore means the mobile home cannot legally be moved. Once the County certifies that the taxes have been paid, a decal is issued which must be displayed during the movement of the home.

The only time County certification and the associated decal are not required is when a mobile home is entering the state, is being moved from a manufacturer or distributor to a retail sales outlet, is being moved directly to the purchasers designated location, or is being moved between retail sales outlets. Because of the limited nature of these exemptions, issues have arisen around situations where a mobile home must be moved by someone other than the owner but it is discovered that the property taxes due were not paid and thus, a movement permit and County certification could not be obtained.

Summary of Bill:

Authorizes landlords of mobile home parks to move a mobile home or park model trailer without having to obtain County certification or display the associated decal, but only in cases where the dwelling has been abandoned or if it has been awarded to the landlord as part of a final court judgement for restitution of the premises.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2003.

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