HCS#2/SCS/SB 313 - This act modifies various provisions relating to manufactured housing.MANUFACTURED HOUSING - Under current law, every manufactured housing manufacturer or dealer who offers for sale four or more new or used homes must register with the Public Service Commission. This act would expand that requirement so that those who offers to sell four or more used homes, or one or more new homes with any consecutive 12 month period must also register.
The act establishes the "Manufactured Housing Customer Recovery Fund" for the purposes of paying consumer claims pursuant to the procedures the commission promulgates by rule. The act also requires manufactured home dealers to provide purchasers a bill of sale containing the names of the persons responsible for installation and setup. The act also requires dealers to disclose installation and set-up costs to purchasers. The act specifically provides that commission suspension, revocation or probation orders shall apply to all registrations held by the dealer if there is consistent pattern of abuse. The act provides that the commission, through its general counsel, may seek remedies in circuit court for violations of Chapter 700, RSMo. The act also assigns new statutory numbers to several provisions of law contained in Chapter 700, RSMo.
The act also provides that any person who purchases or leases merchandise and suffers loss of money or property due to an unlawful merchandising practice may bring a civil action to recover damages (section 1).
STEPHEN WITTE