Appropriations Committee moves oversight of manufactured housing board to MOCA, approves fee changes to fund legal/technical services

The Appropriations Committee approved Part RRR, which transfers oversight of manufactured housing manufacturers and communities from the Manufactured Housing Board (administered by the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation) to the Main Office of Community Affairs (MOCA). The amendment package—drawn from the Housing & Economic Development report back and administration technical edits—also permits annual license fees assessed to manufactured housing communities to be expanded to fund legal services provided by the Attorney General and increases surcharges on plan review fees to fund technical building codes and standards work related to the uniform building and energy code.

Members said Part RRR completes earlier steps to centralize related regulatory functions in MOCA and argued the move will provide a clearer single office for regulated entities. Representative Ducharme described the language changes as largely technical and said the transfer completes work started last year to consolidate MOCA’s functions. Lucia Nixon (committee analyst) summarized the amendments and attachments that incorporated policy committee recommendations and administration language.

The motion to adopt Part RRR as amended carried 10–1. The committee directed staff to incorporate attachment C of the housing committee report back and the administration’s technical changes; additional operational steps will be performed by MOCA and affected agencies following enactment.

Next steps: MOCA will assume oversight responsibilities and work with the Attorney General and the Office of the State Fire Marshal to implement fee and surcharge changes.