MONTANA LEGISLATURE CONCLUDES WORK - For now
(MMH&RV successful for in legislative process)

The Montana wrapped up their work on April 26 and the 150 lawmakers are headed back to the real world - at least for a while. Many speculate that due to the uncertain economic situation in Montana and the country the state budget may again dip below the magical $25 million reserve level which means Governor Martz may call for a "special session" sometime during the next year. Possibly as early as September.
Your state association was again very involved on both the manufactured housing side of legislative issues and on numerous RV issues throughout the session. We have highlighted a few bills in each category that may be of interest to members. In addition, we have included a list of all the bills tracked and/or worked on by MMH&RV during the session. If you want a copy of any bill please call the association office or visit the Montana Legislative Web-site at www.leg.state.mt.us

Manufactured Housing Legislation:
SB 354 - Prison build housing program was defeated in the Senate Business Committee. MMH&RV took the lead in the last year to effectively oppose this idea by the Board of Housing to establish a low-income home building program at Montana State Prison. This idea may resurface in future legislative sessions and MMH&RV will stand ready to oppose all efforts in this area. Thanks to the members who contacted their legislators to help defeat SB 354.

SB 340 and SB 326 - Growth policies to be a guideline and not a mandate. Several groups supported these bills that worked their way through the legislative process. They are good legislation that clarify local growth policies cannot be used to restrict land-use developments and instead are a "guidelines" for local officials to utilize in their planning process.

HB 538 - Bill to revise motor vehicle (including manufactured housing) detitling laws. Your state association specifically supported section 14 of this bill that clarifies a person buying and locating a manufactured home as "real property" can simply file a form with their county treasure to "detitle the home." Since 1997 there has been confusion throughout the state and some consumers have had to title and then detitle their manufactured home to establish it as real property. This bill should help to clarify the process of detitling.

HB 337 - Home and large structure moving bill. The MMH&RV originally opposed this bill when introduced in the House. It was greatly amended in the Senate to re-insert the Public Service Commission back into the process of regulating the rates home movers must pay when a consumer relocates a structure of any type and the movement requires wires, cables or poles to be temporarily moved. As amended the bill has been improved to keep utilities from assessing unregulated moving charges.

RV Legislative Issues:
HB 186 - Revise motor vehicle licensing laws supported by MMH&RV. This bill makes a needed change in the RV Offlot regulation law to allow the Dept. of Justice to issue a Cease and Desist Order when a dealer has violated provisions of this law. In addition, the bill cleans up other provisions in the licensing law and calls for dealers to now have a $50,000 bond.

HB 634 - Require warranties for used vehicles. Your state association along with the Auto dealers and Independent Auto dealers Associations effectively killed this bill in the House Business Committee that would have required dealers to warranty used vehicles and basically done away with the "as is" law currently on the books.

SB 407 - Selective sales tax for short-term budget needs and income tax/capital gains tax reduction. This bill raises $65 million dollars for the state budget over the next two years by imposing a new 4% tax on rented motor vehicles starting July 1, 2003 including RV rentals. We opposed the bill when introduced in the House when the suggested rate was originally 9%. In addition, to the new rented vehicle tax the bill calls for an increase in the accommodation tax to 7% starting June 1 and an increase in the cigarette tax from 18 to 70 cents starting May 1, 2003. Starting on January 1, 2005 the revenue from this bill will be directed to reduce Montana income tax rates by 7% and decrease our capital gains tax rates by providing a 2% tax credit.

Thanks to the MMH&RV Board and the many members who assisted us this legislative session.

Montana Manufactured Housing and RV Association
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