BILL ANALYSIS
SB 166
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 17, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Norma Torres, Chair
SB 166 (Runner) - As Amended: June 3, 2009
SENATE VOTE : 37-0
SUBJECT : Special occupancy parks.
SUMMARY : Allows occupancy of a camper that is dismounted from
a pick-up truck in a special occupancy park. Specifically, this
bill states that it is unlawful in a special occupancy park to
occupy a camper that has been dismounted from a truck or other
vehicle, unless the park management approves the dismounted
camper for occupancy and all of the following requirements are
met:
1)The truck camper is equipped with a permanently mounted jack
on each of its four corners;
2)The truck camper jacks are placed on footings that have a
minimum ground contact of at least eight square inches and
that have a minimum nominal thickness of two inches;
3)Immediately upon removal from the truck or other vehicle, the
truck camper is lowered to no more than 12 inches and no less
than six inches from the ground at its lowest point and is
reasonably level;
4)The truck camper does not remain in the special occupancy park
in a dismounted state for more than 30 consecutive days or a
period of time established at the discretion of park
management, whichever is less; and
5)The owner or occupant of the truck camper has a readily
available, operable vehicle on which to remount the truck
camper if the dismounted truck camper becomes unstable.
EXISTING LAW
1)Governs, under the Special Occupancy Parks Act, the
construction, maintenance, occupancy, use, and design of
special occupancy parks to ensure the health, safety, and
general welfare of all park occupants or residents (Health and
SB 166
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Safety Code 18860 et seq.).
2)Gives the Department of Housing and Community Development
(HCD) the responsibility for adopting regulations for special
occupancy parks (Health and Safety Code 18863.3).
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
The Special Occupancy Parks Act governs the construction,
maintenance, occupancy, use, and design of special occupancy
parks to ensure the health, safety, and general welfare of all
park occupants or residents. Special occupancy parks are
privately owned parks or campgrounds for recreational vehicles,
camping cabins, truck campers, or tents, including those
portions of mobilehome parks dedicated to recreational vehicles.
The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is
responsible for adopting regulations for special occupancy parks
that are reasonable and necessary to protect life and property
in the parks and to protect the health and safety of occupants.
HCD regulations that implement the Special Occupancy Parks Act
prohibit the occupancy of a dismounted truck camper in a special
occupancy park. SB 166 supersedes HCD's regulations by
specifying that a dismounted camper can be occupied in a special
occupancy park, so long as the park management approves and the
camper meets certain requirements, including being equipped with
a permanently mounted jack on each of its four corners.
The sponsors of this bill note that HCD's existing prohibition
on occupying a dismounted truck camper in a special occupancy
park is out of date, treats truck campers in these parks
differently than they are treated in other locations, and is
unique to California.
In the early 1980s, when HCD adopted the regulatory provision
that prohibits a dismounted truck camper from being occupied in
a special occupancy park, truck camper technology was much
different than today. For years, truck campers have been
designed for occupancy when dismounted. They are equipped with
either mechanical or hydraulic jacks that are permanently
mounted on the four corners of the camper and are rated at 3000
pound capacity each, allowing them to safely and securely
SB 166
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accommodate occupancy of a dismounted truck camper that weighs
between 1500 and 4000 pounds. The author and sponsors argue
that there is no longer a reason to prohibit occupancy of a
dismounted truck camper since they are now specifically designed
and constructed for occupancy when dismounted.
In addition, the proponents note that allowing the occupancy of
a dismounted camper in a special occupancy park is consistent
with permitted occupancy in other locations in California. For
example, a dismounted camper can be occupied on private property
and in state parks. Proponents further point out, and HCD
confirms, that no other state has a statute or regulation that
prohibits the occupancy of a dismounted camper.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation (sponsor)
Recreation Vehicle Industry Association
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Anya Lawler / H. & C.D. / (916)
319-2085