[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6363973,"mediaKeyId","2165573-31a954753157b0db193d2864dddf4a7f","parentId",2165573,"title","Senate panel reviews technical changes to manufactured‑home sale notice law","audioSeconds",2150,"startMs",34730,"endMs",2185365,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165573-31a954753157b0db193d2864dddf4a7f&start=34&end=2185","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165573-31a954753157b0db193d2864dddf4a7f/thumbnail_34730.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6363973/Washington/Senate-panel-reviews-technical-changes-to-manufacturedhome-sale-notice-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363973-ccd887c3a18395e409a9c6948498185c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152404&Signature=ge9R2IGXUlLhFB0jFumX9bdrYbxL0pLDgtDIboEZ8--I8~iMnMJWlH2gub-k~qPdcVfc7Zf1CYFK-dSCD1B-6cY8ifWeOlpJVv9RJqhFWtBkifSX3iCdAeB5GpYCIXbQ6VSCrJggCDUTLN4acFXBaT~cg5IgRMRBnMklzUJXTJGCeAGR6raxyMMHP6tTk2BU4uF72dXYAFOHKAxvDHOiVXEaWkby0k1ja6TGiqTcAwEATCfS5x0M4IuXlMmENdBqZfy7Vj6ZHEJRWn3X78dpn~rmoRclgTG0uJJxWvkgeWWyapY4eoiXJJ7eS8Ldcp9UYsmsdB-x7g0yg5CANQM9DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Housing ","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Washington State Senate Housing Committee on a public hearing discussed a proposed substitute to Senate Bill 5298 that would change how owners notify residents and public entities when a manufactured or mobile‑home community is offered for sale.

The bill, as briefed to the committee, would remove the initial \"notice of sale\" requirement, change the list of recipients for the required \"notice of opportunity to compete to purchase,\" permit electronic delivery of notices to government entities, and require community owners to provide the Department of Commerce with a status update on any sale every six months.

The change matters because residents of manufactured‑home communities typically own their homes but not the land where those homes sit, leaving them vulnerable to rent and space‑rent increases after a park sale. The 2019 statute creating an opportunity‑to‑compete process was intended to give tenants, housing authorities and eligible organizations a chance to acquire parks and preserve residents’ housing.

Bill Fosbury, counsel to the committee, summarized the proposed substitute: it removes the first notice (the initial notice of sale), revises the recipients of the notice of opportunity to purchase and permits electronic notice to governmental entities, and requires a six‑month status update to the Department of Commerce. He also noted a fiscal estimate on the original bill: the Department of Commerce estimated about $393,000 in additional operating expenditures for the 2025–27 biennium for implementation and administration.

Senator Noelle Frame, the bill sponsor, framed the measure as a technical cleanup that responds to the vulnerability of manufactured‑home residents, saying the residents \"own their manufactured home but not the land on which it sits,\" and that the earlier law grew out of \"an outcry from frankly, really low‑income and fixed income residents in Washington State, particularly senior citizens.\" Frame told the committee the statute has led to notices statewide and that stakeholders have worked to negotiate technical fixes.

Supporters who testified urged passage and described how the opportunity‑to‑compete process has been used. Victoria O'Bannon, manager for Cooperative Housing Development at the Northwest Cooperative Development Center, told the committee that between July 2023 and June 2024, 59 communities were listed for sale and that those communities represent roughly $350 million in asset value and nearly 4,000 households. O'Bannon said NWCDC submitted winning offers on 10 communities and that three purchases have closed with a fourth closing soon.

Ishmael Dickens, a volunteer with the Association of Manufactured Homeowners, said the substitute will make the notice process more efficient and thanked sponsors and stakeholders for working on the bill. Lynnwood City Council member George Hurst described a set of sales in 2023 in which the city and county housing authority were not notified and said residents later faced space‑rent and fee increases of more than 40 percent after corporate investors completed purchases; Hurst asked the committee to consider stronger protections, including a priority purchase right for residents or housing authorities at an appraised value.

Representatives of industry and park managers — including speakers who said they spoke for management companies and park operators — testified that they worked with sponsors and stakeholders to refine the bill and supported the substitute language as operationally feasible.

The committee took testimony from proponents and partners but did not take a final vote during the hearing. The public hearing was closed and no further action was taken that day.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Housing - 1/29/2025 10:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Washington State Senate Housing Committee on a public hearing discussed a proposed substitute to Senate Bill 5298 that would change how owners notify residents and public entities when a manufactured or mobile‑home community is offered for sale.","taxTitle","Housing, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20505,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363963,"Committee debates allowing mobile dwelling units on residential lots amid housing shortage",1641,2165365,524053,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165573-31a954753157b0db193d2864dddf4a7f&start=2165&end=524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165573-31a954753157b0db193d2864dddf4a7f/thumbnail_2165365.jpg","/articles/6363963/Washington/Committee-debates-allowing-mobile-dwelling-units-on-residential-lots-amid-housing-shortage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363963-7b8a88cbb61b11b24b3cfd70d1190121/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152404&Signature=k0oIdo44MoF1JN5U0G6G7TFYAk24YcIh9BsrQEDFAXckr624CwDUkCnBTN8hfIYnGH9XVvUYg76bqqBZwvx2X4v1QVFpUvvfMvm-1EdVytiJNvrSUVEAdPlV33LFV-ZRp2MfIQJm0HTMOR7JpCBTTcCbQUWHwE6wMtApeT1IQSOFIXne5TEiPWfxyu1zdyDBWwffvZd0KH8lseTnDWPmS0I8yHbPGZct5x9VL-BUuZzJoyN7t~BZ-kq0B6JvbQWKxGRw8ReKTraR3AW2ZNvz4ETjhZ8AsgjvfDXTjda06cgvQVirueYRfW1KTuz1NRVGeztClUXyyD4yhp0Yvt22bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Housing Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5332, a proposal to allow mobile dwelling units (MDUs) — travel trailers, motor homes, tiny homes on wheels and similar vehicles — on residential lots in jurisdictions planning under the Growth Management Act, subject to specified utility hookups and inspections.

Staff summarized the proposed substitute by noting the bill defines a mobile dwelling unit broadly (travel trailers, folding camping trailers, truck campers, motor homes, fifth wheels) and requires that any city or county planning under the GMA \"allow at least 1 mobile dwelling unit on each lot zoned for residential use\" subject to conditions such as being inside an urban growth area, not in a critical area or shoreline, and having adequate water, sewer and transportation service. The substitute requires electrical connection via a dedicated outlet and plumbing hookups or access to toilets and showers in the primary dwelling; the bill permits inspection of utility hookups but not inspection of the dwelling unit itself. Staff cited a fiscal note: roughly $262,000 in one‑time state technical assistance and rulemaking costs for the Department of Commerce in the biennium, about $105,000 ongoing, and an estimated $5.8 million one‑time cost to local governments to adopt development regulations, with indeterminate additional inspection and enforcement costs.

Supporters argued MDUs can be a rapid, lower‑cost option to add housing. Dan Berdelet of the Siteline Institute said \"MDUs can be far less expensive and far more rapidly deployed than any other type of housing,\" and described MDUs as an extension of accessory dwelling units that can add lower‑cost options. Cole Peterson, a licensed general contractor with experience in Portland’s policy, told the committee that hookups typically cost $10,000–$15,000 and that MDUs themselves commonly cost $50,000–$75,000; he said Portland’s legalization produced no major code enforcement problems since 2021.

Proponents from tiny‑home organizations, faith‑based and veteran housing advocates and manufacturers said MDUs can provide immediate, legal housing alternatives for people at risk of homelessness, multigenerational households, caregivers and caregivers who need nearby housing for elders.

Opponents and infrastructure witnesses raised concerns about public health, water and sewer systems and local costs. The Washington State Association of Counties said counties worry about verifying potable water access and the condition of onboard waste systems that the bill does not require inspectors to evaluate; the Snow King Water District Coalition warned of cross‑connection, back‑siphonage and risks from connecting to sewer cleanouts, saying allowing those direct cleanout connections \"introduces risks like blockages, backups, and damage from irregular waste flows\" and recommended below‑ground connections rather than cleanout hookups.

Committee members asked staff whether the bill addresses setbacks and lot placement; staff said the current draft does not explicitly set new setback rules and left those details to local development regulations. The lack of a uniform setback or detailed sewage inspection requirement was highlighted by multiple local government and water‑system witnesses as a subject for follow‑up.

The public hearing included both proponents and opponents; the committee closed the hearing and did not take a vote that day. Sponsors and several agencies signaled they will continue discussions about technical standards for hookups, cross‑connection controls and potential costs to local jurisdictions.

","Senate Bill 5332 would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act to allow at least one mobile dwelling unit — such as a travel trailer, motor home or tiny house on wheels — on residential lots, with specified utility hookups and inspections.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363968,"Senate hearing weighs ban on lease clauses that bar lawsuits, NDAs and force arbitration",1336,281080,1617690,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165573-31a954753157b0db193d2864dddf4a7f&start=281&end=1617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165573-31a954753157b0db193d2864dddf4a7f/thumbnail_281080.jpg","/articles/6363968/Washington/Senate-hearing-weighs-ban-on-lease-clauses-that-bar-lawsuits-NDAs-and-force-arbitration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363968-6568a650a8215d29540816d872a0c5eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152404&Signature=V7RBwYCAdoqam-e~z0StYBh6c76CKWMGEq~Vh9ED2u6nqiZXZJ8nOIyIy1uSKYfzL1ft59-xR9wO~IvxfCOwwJOXYGIw47qtdQn7nBWnFsaF4WvXXhbnJZUdomo28n9Y2XCJw7uXaJRdqESw6qVUwaGV5I4AREAF68x3qUrAKy8bfDJ8SoSxvEaII642jHrHvvTkqPH0zCeNmAsxKUhRwBTIgagZ9IPzDMwKY~ubezm633EozMCXYuPk958uUgG7QOMnLCfRhusGZnN~7b-wwz-3b25L3~NKoZPG3hmSnsUhwgiEy7mh-ddfxq3-CMBBn-V16mVKOBaeJJLVgvtD9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Housing Committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5313, a proposal to expand the list of provisions landlords cannot require in residential rental agreements. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Peterson (43rd District), would forbid landlords from making tenants waive the right to bring or join lawsuits, requiring nondisclosure of lease or rent terms, forcing arbitration unless the landlord pays all arbitration costs, and requiring tenants to accept and pay for nonessential third‑party services without a fee‑free opt‑out.

Bill Fosbury, counsel to the committee, told members the bill builds on the existing Residential Landlord‑Tenant Act by adding the four prohibited areas. He described the additions as: a ban on clauses that require a tenant to waive any right to bring or join a lawsuit; a ban on nondisclosure agreements tied to the lease or offer; a ban on mandatory arbitration unless the landlord pays the entire cost; and a ban on obligating tenants to buy nonessential services without a fee‑free opt‑out.

Senator Jamie Peterson said the bill grew from reporting about tenants who discovered they had signed away legal rights and from constituent complaints about fees for services such as ‘‘valet garbage’’—a door‑to‑door trash pickup service some tenants reported being required to buy. Peterson framed the arbitration provision as protecting access to dispute resolution for low‑income tenants: \"If you required that in a lease ... what it would essentially mean for a lot of tenants is that they couldn't pursue any disputes with their landlords,\" he said.

Tenant advocates supported the bill. Michelle Thomas of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance said renters rarely negotiate leases and asked the committee to add manufactured‑home lot renters to the bill's coverage and to add a jury‑trial waiver prohibition to prevent blanket waiver clauses. Emily Rosenzweig and other tenants described experiences they said show how third‑party services can shift landlord operational costs onto renters and whether those services perform as promised.

Industry representatives urged amendment rather than a flat ban. Carter Nelson of the Washington Multifamily Housing Association said valet trash services raise recycling rates and safety at properties when participation is universal and urged deletion of an opt‑out provision in favor of strong disclosure requirements. Rich Stein of Valley Living and other service providers said they support clear fee disclosure but opposed rules that would prohibit building‑level service models.

Opponents and industry witnesses argued the draft's narrow definition of \"nonessential\" could inadvertently exclude services some owners consider critical for operations, such as rent reporting to credit bureaus or insurance offerings, and could increase landlords' base rents if costs cannot be recovered through program fees. Testimony reflected broad agreement on banning NDAs and one‑sided arbitration clauses, while the nonessential‑services opt‑out provision drew the most contention.

The committee took testimony from proponents and opponents and did not vote that day. Several witnesses asked the committee to refine definitions and to consider targeted disclosure requirements as an alternative to an opt‑out prohibition.

","Senate Bill 5313 would add four categories of provisions landlords may not include in residential rental agreements: waiving the right to sue or join class actions, nondisclosure of lease/rent terms, mandatory arbitration unless the landlord pays all arbitration costs, and forcing payment for nonessential services without an opt‑out.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate panel reviews technical changes to manufactured‑home sale notice law

Committee debates allowing mobile dwelling units on residential lots amid housing shortage

Senate hearing weighs ban on lease clauses that bar lawsuits, NDAs and force arbitration