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House tweaks mobile-home-park bill to allow voluntary mediation, then passes measure
Summary
The House approved an amended Mobile Home Park Residency Act that clarifies municipal enforcement and makes mediation optional for certain disputes; members debated tenant safety and municipal authority before approving Amendment #2 and passing the bill.
The Utah House on Feb. 20 approved changes to the Mobile Home Park Residency Act (Senate Bill 33), including an amendment that makes mediation between parks and residents voluntary in some cases and excludes rent issues from mandatory mediation.
Representative Harper introduced the bill as a clarification of municipal authority to regulate and enforce state statutes in mobile home parks. Representative Bryson offered Amendment #2 (his name on the amendment), which would allow municipalities to offer mediation but not require it; it would also limit mediation on rent-related issues.
Supporters of the amendment argued it protects property owners and prevents municipalities from overreaching into business operations. Representative Alexander said the amendment "strikes a proper balance" and urged passage. Opponents contended the language on the Goldenrod amendment (Senate version) represented consensus among stakeholders and that changing it at the last stage could weaken protections for residents and enforcement. Representative Litvak, who opposed the amendment, said her district includes a nearby mobile home park with health and safety concerns and urged keeping the Senate language intact.
The House adopted Amendment #2 by voice and later a recorded vote on the motion to amend (47 yes, 25 no). After further remarks and a summation, the chamber passed Senate Bill 33 as amended by a roll-call vote of 55 yes, 15 no. The bill will be returned to the Senate for further consideration.
What comes next: The Senate will consider the House amendment. Members on both sides said they wanted to see how the amended bill would operate in practice; proponents said it preserves municipal enforcement authority while protecting park owners from mandatory mediation on rent issues.
