LRB-3354/1
JEO:skg:kaf
1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE
December 6, 1995 - Introduced by Representatives Nass, Ladwig, Kelso, Wirch,
Goetsch, Green, Seratti, Hasenohrl, Baldus, Dobyns, Silbaugh, Vrakas
and
Gunderson, cosponsored by Senators Fitzgerald, Buettner and Shibilski.
Referred to Committee on Housing.
AB720,3,3 1An Act to repeal 66.058 (1) (a), 66.058 (1) (f), 101.90, 101.91 (2) (b), 101.92 (1),
2101.92 (5), 101.92 (6), 101.93, 101.94 (3), 101.94 (4), 101.94 (5), 101.96, 218.10
3(8), 218.101 (1), 218.14, 218.16, 218.165 and 218.17 (1); to renumber and
4amend
16.366 (1), 218.10 (1), 218.10 (3), 218.10 (4), 218.10 (6) and 218.101 (2);
5to consolidate, renumber and amend 101.91 (2) (intro.) and (a); to amend
616.366 (title), 16.366 (2) (a), 16.366 (2) (d), 16.366 (2m), 16.998 (1) (a), 16.9995,
720.505 (7) (jf), 20.505 (7) (ji), 30.40 (6), 30.44 (1) (title), 30.44 (1) (b) 2., 30.44 (1)
8(b) 3., 30.44 (1) (b) 5., 30.44 (1) (c) 1., 30.44 (1) (c) 2., 30.44 (1) (c) 5., 30.44 (1) (e),
930.44 (1) (g) (intro.), 30.44 (1) (g) 2., 32.19 (4) (a) (intro.), 32.19 (4) (a) 1m., 45.356
10(2), 45.71 (12) (intro.), 45.76 (1) (a) 1., 45.79 (3) (a) 2., 49.47 (4) (b) 1., 59.97 (4)
11(d), 66.058 (title), 66.058 (1) (b), 66.058 (1) (c), 66.058 (1) (d), 66.058 (1) (e),
1266.058 (1) (g), 66.058 (1) (i), 66.058 (1) (j), 66.058 (2) (a), 66.058 (2) (b), 66.058
13(2) (c), 66.058 (2) (d), 66.058 (3) (title), 66.058 (3) (a), 66.058 (3) (c) (intro.),
1466.058 (3) (c) 1., 66.058 (3) (d), 66.058 (3) (e), 66.058 (3m), 66.058 (4) (intro.),
1566.058 (4) (b), 66.058 (5), 66.058 (8), 66.0585, 70.043 (title), 70.043 (1), 70.043
16(2), 70.111 (19) (title), 70.111 (19) (b), 70.112 (7), 71.07 (9) (a) 3., 71.07 (9) (a) 4.,
1771.52 (2), 71.52 (7), 77.51 (4) (b) 6., 77.51 (13) (am), 77.51 (15) (b) 5., 77.52 (2)

1(a) 1., 77.53 (17), 77.53 (18), 77.54 (7) (b) (intro.), 77.54 (31), 77.54 (36), 77.61
2(1) (a), 77.61 (1) (c), 77.71 (4), 77.78, 77.785 (2), 79.03 (3) (b) 4. a., 101.125 (1)
3(a), 101.19 (1) (e), 101.22 (1m) (L), 101.91 (intro.), 101.92 (3), 101.92 (4), 101.92
4(7), 101.92 (8), 101.94 (2), 101.94 (6), 101.94 (7), 101.95, 138.052 (1) (b), 138.056
5(1) (b), 138.056 (1) (c), 138.056 (1) (d), 138.056 (3) (a), 144.30 (3r), 214.485 (10),
6215.205 (1), 218.01 (6) (bn) 3., subchapter VI (title) of chapter 218 [precedes
7218.10], 218.10 (2), 218.10 (5), 218.10 (7), 218.10 (8m), 218.10 (9), 218.11 (title),
8218.11 (1), 218.11 (6) (n), 218.12 (title), 218.12 (1), 218.12 (2) (a), 218.12 (5),
9218.12 (6), 218.15, 218.17 (3), 227.43 (1) (bg), 234.622 (7), 340.01 (11) (intro.),
10340.01 (14), 340.01 (18m), 340.01 (28), 340.01 (29), 340.01 (33m), 340.01 (57),
11340.01 (71), 340.01 (72) (a), 341.04 (1) (intro.), 341.05 (14m), 341.25 (1) (intro.),
12341.25 (1) (i), 341.47 (1) (intro.), 341.51 (1), 341.51 (2), 341.53, 341.62, 342.18
13(4) (a), 342.18 (4) (b), 342.22 (3) (a), 342.30 (2), 342.40 (1), 342.40 (3) (a), 343.055
14(1) (d), 346.94 (8), 346.94 (8m) (title), 346.94 (8m) (a), 346.94 (8m) (b), 347.13
15(1), 347.14 (1), 347.15 (1), 347.15 (2), 347.35 (4), 347.45 (1), 347.47 (title), 347.47
16(2), 347.47 (3), 347.47 (4), 348.05 (2) (i), 348.06 (1), 348.07 (2) (c), 348.07 (3) (a),
17348.10 (5) (a), 348.10 (5) (c), 348.25 (6), 348.26 (4), 348.27 (7), 348.27 (7m),
18349.03 (2), 422.201 (12m), 422.202 (2) (intro.), 422.209 (6m), 422.402 (5) (intro.),
19422.402 (5) (b), 422.413 (2g) (intro.), 424.301 (1) (b) 1, 707.02 (4), 710.15 (title),
20710.15 (1) (a), 710.15 (1) (b), 710.15 (1) (c), 710.15 (1) (d), 710.15 (1) (e), 710.15
21(1) (f), 710.15 (1m), 710.15 (2), 710.15 (3) (a), 710.15 (3) (b), 710.15 (4), 710.15
22(4m), 710.15 (5m) (intro.), 710.15 (5m) (e), 710.15 (5m) (em), 710.15 (5m) (h),
23779.85 (6), 852.09 (2), 941.20 (1) (d), 943.10 (1) (e) and 990.01 (14); and to create
2416.366 (1g), subchapter X of chapter 16 [precedes 16.995], 30.40 (5), 45.71 (11),
2545.71 (14m), 66.058 (1) (cg), 340.01 (27m), 340.01 (48r), 340.01 (72r), 710.15 (1)

1(am) and 943.10 (1) (am) of the statutes; relating to: the definition and
2regulation of mobile homes and manufactured homes, granting rule-making
3authority and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill makes changes in current law concerning the definition and regulation
of mobile homes and manufactured homes. The bill includes the following changes:
Definitions of mobile home and manufactured home
Under current law there are several different definitions of the term "mobile
home" and of the term "manufactured home". Also, under current law "mobile home"
is often used as a general term that includes "manufactured home". Because of
changes in the mid-1970s in federal laws that define and regulate mobile and
manufactured homes, only manufactured homes as defined under current federal
law are being constructed today. This bill creates a single definition for "mobile
home" and a single definition for "manufactured home" that applies throughout the
statutes by doing the following:
1. The bill establishes the definition of "mobile home" that is used in the statute
governing manufacture of mobile and manufactured homes as the single definition
of "mobile home" in the statutes. Thus, under the bill, for all purposes under the
statutes a mobile home is a vehicle manufactured or assembled before June 15, 1976,
that has an overall length of more than 45 feet, that is designed to be towed as a single
unit or in sections on a highway by a motor vehicle, that has walls of rigid
noncollapsible construction and that is equipped and used, or intended to be used,
primarily for human habitation. Under the bill, "mobile home" includes the mobile
home structure, its plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems, and
all appliances and all other equipment carrying a manufacturer's warranty.
2. The bill establishes as the single definition of "manufactured home" in the
statutes a definition that refers to the federal standards for manufactured homes.
Thus, under the bill, for all purposes under the statutes a manufactured home is a
structure designed to be used as a dwelling, either with or without a permanent
foundation, that complies with the federal standards established for manufactured
homes.
In addition to establishing a single definition for mobile home and for
manufactured home, the bill makes the use of the terms consistent with the
definitions by doing the following:
1. The bill inserts references to "manufactured home" in places in current law
that refer only to "mobile home" if the use of mobile home under current law is
general and meant to include manufactured homes. For example, the bill inserts
references to "manufactured home" in the statutes governing mobile and
manufactured home parks. The bill also inserts references to "manufactured home"
in the statutes governing the treatment, for property and other tax purposes, of

mobile and manufactured homes as either improvements to real property or as
personal property.
2. The bill changes references to "mobile home" to be references to
"manufactured home" in statutes that pertain only to structures that are newly
constructed, since under federal law only manufactured homes are now being
constructed. For example, the bill changes "mobile home" to "manufactured home"
in statutes governing the licensure and regulation of manufactured home dealers by
the department of administration (DOA).
In addition, under current law "mobile home" is sometimes used to refer to
structures used primarily as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping,
travel or seasonal purposes. This bill creates a single definition for "recreational
vehicle" and a single definition for "travel trailer" and uses these terms in place of
mobile home where mobile home is used to refer to structures used primarily as
temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel or seasonal purposes.
For example, the bill changes "mobile home" to "recreational vehicle" in statutes
governing the licensure and regulation of recreational vehicle dealers by the
department of transportation (DOT).
Regulation of mobile and manufactured home parks
Under current law, mobile and manufactured home parks are regulated by
DOA and by the municipality in which the park is located. A mobile and
manufactured home park is any plot of ground upon which 2 or more mobile or
manufactured home units that are occupied for dwelling purposes are located. This
bill increases from 2 to 3 the number of mobile or manufactured home units that must
be located on a plot of ground before the ground is considered to be a mobile or
manufactured home park subject to regulation by DOA and the municipality in
which the park is located.
Regulation of manufacturers of manufactured homes
Under current law, manufacturers of manufactured homes are regulated by the
department of industry, labor and human relations (DILHR). DILHR is responsible
for licensing all manufacturers desiring to sell or distribute for sale manufactured
homes in this state. In addition, under current law DILHR is required to do all of
the following:
1. Adopt, administer and enforce rules for the safe and sanitary design and
construction of manufactured homes that are manufactured, distributed, sold or
offered for sale in this state, including rules relating to plumbing in the design and
construction of manufactured homes. DILHR's rules may establish standards that
are in addition to any standards established by the secretary of housing and urban
development under the federal statutes regulating manufactured homes.
2. Review typical construction plans and specifications that manufacturers are
required to submit to DILHR for approval, including plans and specifications of
plumbing systems used in manufactured homes.
3. Inspect manufacturing facilities, processes, fabrication and assembly of
manufactured homes to ensure compliance with the rules promulgated by DILHR
relating to the manufacture of manufactured homes.

4. Issue a label for display on a manufactured home that indicates that the
manufactured home meets the requirements of the statutes and rules.
5. Establish standards for certification of inspection and testing agencies that
inspect manufacturing facilities, processes, fabrication and assembly of
manufactured homes and plumbing systems in manufactured homes and that issue
labels of approval.
This bill eliminates the requirements that DILHR perform the duties listed in
items 1, 2, 4 and 5.
In addition, under current law DILHR must appoint a 5-member advisory
committee to review the rules and standards for manufactured homes and
recommend to DILHR changes to those rules and standards. This bill eliminates the
requirement that DILHR appoint such an advisory committee.
Other
This bill will be referred to the joint survey committee on tax exemptions for a
detailed analysis, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB720, s. 1 1Section 1. 16.366 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB720,5,2 216.366 (title) Mobile Manufactured and mobile home park regulation.
AB720, s. 2 3Section 2. 16.366 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 16.366 (1r) and amended
4to read:
AB720,5,75 16.366 (1r) The department shall license and regulate mobile home parks. The
6department may investigate mobile home parks and, with notice, may enter and
7inspect private property.
AB720, s. 3 8Section 3. 16.366 (1g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB720,5,99 16.366 (1g) In this section:
AB720,5,1010 (a) "Manufactured home" has the meaning given in s. 101.91 (2).
AB720,5,1111 (b) "Mobile home" has the meaning given in s. 101.91 (1).
AB720,5,1312 (c) "Park" means a manufactured and mobile home park, as defined in s. 66.058
13(1) (e).
AB720, s. 4
1Section 4. 16.366 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB720,6,52 16.366 (2) (a) The department or a village, city or county granted agent status
3under par. (e) shall issue permits to and regulate mobile home parks. No person,
4state or local government who has not been issued a permit under this subsection
5may conduct, maintain, manage or operate a mobile home park.
AB720, s. 5 6Section 5. 16.366 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB720,6,197 16.366 (2) (d) A permit may not be issued under this subsection until all
8applicable fees have been paid. If the payment is by check or other draft drawn upon
9an account containing insufficient funds, the permit applicant shall, within 15 days
10after receipt of notice from the department of the insufficiency, pay by cashier's check
11or other certified draft, money order or cash the fees from the department, late fees
12and processing charges that are specified by rules promulgated by the department.
13If the permit applicant fails to pay all applicable fees, late fees and the processing
14charges within 15 days after the applicant receives notice of the insufficiency, the
15permit is void. In an appeal concerning voiding of a permit under this paragraph,
16the burden is on the permit applicant to show that the entire applicable fees, late fees
17and processing charges have been paid. During any appeal process concerning a
18payment dispute, operation of the mobile home park in question is considered to be
19operation without a permit.
AB720, s. 6 20Section 6. 16.366 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB720,6,2221 16.366 (2m) (a) The department shall inspect a mobile home park in the
22following situations:
AB720,6,2323 1. Upon completion of the construction of a new mobile home park.
AB720,6,2524 2. Whenever a mobile home park is modified, as defined by the department by
25rule.
AB720,7,1
13. Whenever the department receives a complaint about a mobile home park.
AB720,7,32 (b) The department may, with notice, inspect a mobile home park whenever the
3department determines an inspection is appropriate.
AB720, s. 7 4Section 7. Subchapter X of chapter 16 [precedes 16.995] of the statutes is
5created to read:
AB720,7,66 Chapter 16
AB720,7,97 Subchapter X
8 Manufactured home and
9 mobile home dealers
AB720,7,10 1016.995 Definitions. In this subchapter:
AB720,7,15 11(1) "Dealer" means a person who, for a commission or other thing of value, sells,
12exchanges, buys or rents, or offers or attempts to negotiate a sale or exchange of an
13interest in manufactured homes or mobile homes or who is engaged wholly or in part
14in the business of selling manufactured homes or mobile homes, whether or not the
15manufactured homes or mobile homes are owned by the person, but does not include:
AB720,7,1716 (a) A receiver, trustee, administrator, executor, guardian or other person
17appointed by or acting under the judgment or order of any court.
AB720,7,1818 (b) Any public officer while performing that officer's official duty.
AB720,7,1919 (c) Any employe of a person enumerated in par. (a) or (b).
AB720,7,2020 (d) Any lender as defined in s. 421.301 (22).
AB720,7,2421 (e) A person transferring a manufactured home or mobile home registered in
22that person's name and used for that person's personal, family or household
23purposes, if the transfer is an occasional sale and is not part of the business of the
24transferor.
AB720,8,2
1(2) "Delivery date" means the date on which a manufactured home or mobile
2home is physically delivered to the site chosen by the owner.
AB720,8,5 3(3) "License period" means the period during which a license issued under s.
416.996 or 16.997 is effective, as established by the licensor under s. 16.996 (2) (b) 1.
5or 16.997 (2) (b) 1.
AB720,8,6 6(4) "Licensor" means the division of housing in the department.
AB720,8,7 7(5) "Manufactured home" has the meaning given in s. 101.91 (2).
AB720,8,9 8(6) "Manufacturer" means any person within or without this state who
9manufactures or assembles manufactured homes for sale in this state.
AB720,8,10 10(7) "Mobile home" has the meaning given in s. 101.91 (1).
AB720,8,12 11(8) "New home" means a manufactured home that has never been occupied,
12used or sold for personal or business use.
AB720,8,14 13(9) "Owner" means any person or lessee thereof who purchases a manufactured
14home or mobile home primarily for use for personal, family or household purposes.
AB720,8,16 15(10) "Salesperson" means any person who is employed by a manufacturer or
16dealer to sell or lease manufactured homes or mobile homes.
AB720,8,18 17(11) "Used home" means a manufactured home or mobile home that has
18previously been occupied, used or sold for personal or business use.
AB720,8,21 1916.996 Dealers regulated. (1) No person may engage in the business of
20selling manufactured homes or mobile homes to the ultimate consumer or to the
21retail market in this state unless first licensed to do so by the licensor.
AB720,8,24 22(2) (a) Application for a license and renewal license shall be made to the
23licensor on forms prescribed and furnished by the licensor and shall be accompanied
24by the license fee required under par. (c) or (d).
AB720,9,2
1(b) 1. The licensor shall promulgate rules establishing the license period under
2this section.
AB720,9,43 2. The licensor may promulgate rules establishing a uniform expiration date
4for all licenses issued under this section.
Loading...
Loading...