SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5384

As Passed Senate, March 11, 2003

Title: An act relating to utility services and connection charges for certain mobile home parks.

Brief Description: Regulating utility services and connection charges for certain mobile home parks.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Financial Services, Insurance & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators West and Winsley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Financial Services, Insurance & Housing: 2/6/03 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 3/11/03, 32-17.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INSURANCE & HOUSING

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5384 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Benton, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Keiser, Prentice, Reardon, Roach and Zarelli.

Staff: Elizabeth Mitchell (786-7430)

Background: There is concern that some mobile home parks may be required to pay utility fees even though the parks are not connected to utilities.

Summary of Bill: A mobile home park cannot be required to pay a utility connection charge, utility assessment, or any other charge associated with a utility until the park connects to the utility or no longer operates as a mobile home park. This provision applies retroactively.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: In the past, a law was enacted stating that mobile home parks could not be required to convert from a septic system to a sewer system, unless the local health department determined that the septic system was failing. The City of Spokane has required some mobile home residents to pay utility fees despite the fact that they are not hooked up to the sewer. This is unfair, and some residents have incurred substantial legal costs objecting to this practice.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Jim Olinger, citizen; Ken Spencer, John Woodring, MHCW; Ray Munson, MHCW & TOTF; Fred Jones, MHOA.