BILL ANALYSIS
SB 111
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 111 (Correa)
As Amended March 19, 2009
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :23-13
HOUSING 4-2
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|Ayes:|Torres, Eng, Ma, Saldana |
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|-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Harkey, Fletcher |
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SUMMARY : Makes various non-substantive changes to the
Mobilehome Residency Law. Specifically, this bill :
1)Reorganizes the Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL) by renumbering
selected sections to group them into similar categories.
2)Groups certain existing sections of the MRL into a new Article
4 entitled "Utilities."
3)Adds a new section to the MRL stating that three existing
sections relate to the enforcement of park rules and
regulations.
4)Replaces the word tenant with resident in one existing
section.
5)States that nothing in the bill shall be construed to affect
the application of any other statute, regulation, or any
existing contract, lease, rental agreement, or related
document.
EXISTING LAW :
1)MRL governs the relationship between park owners or managers
and residents in mobilehome parks and manufactured housing
communities (Civil Code 798 et seq.).
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2)Requires that a copy of the MRL be attached as an exhibit to a
rental agreement provided to a tenant in a mobilehome park
(Civil Code 798.15).
3)Requires that the management of a mobilehome park provide a
copy of the MRL to all homeowners prior to February 1 of each
year if a significant change was made by legislation chaptered
in the prior year (Civil Code 798.15).
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS :
Enacted in 1978, MRL governs the relationship between park
owners and managers and the residents of the more than 4,800
mobilehome parks and manufactured housing communities in
California. Since its enactment, the MRL has been amended
numerous times, resulting in the placement of sections in areas
that do not always appear logical. Park owners, managers, and
residents rely upon the MRL to provide guidance and direction in
terms of their rights and responsibilities. Existing law
requires a copy of the MRL to be attached to all rental
agreements in mobilehome parks, and requires park management to
provide a copy of the MRL to all homeowners prior to February 1
of each year if a significant change was made to the law in the
prior year.
In order to increase the readability and usefulness of the MRL,
this bill reorganizes various sections of the MRL to provide for
a more logical order, but does not make any substantive changes
to existing law. The bill renumbers some existing sections,
groups existing sections related to utilities under a new
heading, adds a new section directing residents and managers to
the three sections that relate to enforcement of park rules and
regulations, and makes other clarifying changes.
According to the author, as a result of piecemeal amendments to
the MRL over the last 30 years, "Homeowners and residents of
mobilehome parks, in particular, who utilize this document to
understand their responsibilities and rights, tell the [Senate
Select Committee on Manufactured Homes and Communities] they are
not always able to locate, or easily find, some sections. The
reorganization may also be helpful to park managers and other
laypersons who need to more easily locate a particular section
to help in managing the park or in resolving a problem or
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issue."
Opponents argue that while well-intended, it is not clear that
SB 111 is necessary or that it will make the MRL any easier to
understand, and could actually have the opposite affect by
making the law more confusing for those who already have a basic
understanding of the MRL.
Analysis Prepared by : Anya Lawler / H. & C.D. / (916)
319-2085
FN: 0001481