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Brief hearing on bill to allow temporary factory‑built 'kit' homes closes with few questions
Summary
Staff described SB 5249 about kit homes and the existing L&I regulation of factory‑built housing; sponsor emphasized caution about warranty and longevity; hearing closed with no public testimony.
Senate Bill 5249, a short public hearing item before the Senate Housing Committee, would authorize local governments to permit ‘kit homes’—factory constructed structures designed to meet life, health and safety standards—to be sited in residential zones or used as temporary emergency housing, subject to the manufacturer’s warranty.
Melissa Van Gorkum, staff to the committee, summarized current law giving the Department of Labor and Industries authority to regulate factory built housing (structures substantially prefabricated off‑site) and explained the bill’s definition of “kit homes,” which may be assembled on site with or without a permanent foundation and used for the duration of the manufacturer’s warranty. Van Gorkum also reported a fiscal note estimating $245,119 in the current biennium and $95,000 ongoing to provide technical assistance and update housing projections.
Senator Jeff Wilson (identified himself for the record as representing the 19th District during the hearing) described the bill as one option among many to expand housing supply cautiously, stressing the importance of warranties and quality so public investment is durable. Senator Gaynor asked whether modular homes would fall under the bill; staff replied the definition is broad enough to include modular factory constructed homes and that some factory‑built housing categories have distinct L&I standards.
There were no public testifiers on the bill and the committee closed the public hearing and moved on to other items.
