Wisconsin Legislature: 9,1998tt

(a) That the certificate of title was fraudulently procured, erroneously issued or prohibited by law.

(b) That the mobile home has been scrapped, dismantled or destroyed.

(2) Suspension or revocation of a certificate of title does not, in itself, affect the validity of a security interest noted on it.

(3) When the department suspends or revokes a certificate of title, the owner or person in possession of it shall, immediately upon receiving notice of the suspension or revocation, mail or deliver the certificate to the department.

(4) The department may seize and impound any certificate of title which has been suspended or revoked.

9,1998tc Section 1998tc. 101.9221 of the statutes is created to read:

101.9221 Grounds for refusing issuance of certificate of title. The department shall refuse issuance of a certificate of title if any required fee has not been paid or for any of the following reasons:

(1) The department has reasonable grounds to believe that:

(a) The person alleged to be the owner of the mobile is not the owner.

(b) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement.

(2) The applicant has failed to furnish any of the following:

(a) If applicable, the power of attorney required under 15 USC 1988 or rules of the department.

(b) Any other information or documents required by law or by the department pursuant to authority of law.

(3) The applicant is a mobile home dealer and is prohibited from applying for a certificate of title under s. 101.921 (1) (a) or (b).

(4) Except as provided in ss. 101.9203 (3) and 101.921 (1) (a) for a certificate of title and registration for a mobile home owned by a nonresident, the applicant is a nonresident and the issuance of a certificate of title has not otherwise been authorized by rule of the department.

9,1998tg Section 1998tg. 101.9222 of the statutes is created to read:

101.9222 Previously certificated mobile homes. (1) In this section, "previously certificated mobile home" means a mobile home for which a certificate of title has been issued by the department of transportation prior to July 1, 2000.

(2) Sections 101.9213 to 101.9218 do not apply to a previously certificated mobile home until one of the following occurs:

(a) There is a transfer of ownership of the mobile home.

(b) The department of commerce issues a certificate of title of the mobile home under this chapter.

(3) If the department is not satisfied that there are no undisclosed security interests, created before July 1, 2000, in a previously certificated mobile home, the department shall, unless the applicant fulfills the requirements of s. 101.9219 (3), issue a distinctive certificate of title of the mobile home containing the legend "This mobile home may be subject to an undisclosed security interest" and any other information that the department prescribes.

(4) After July 1, 2000, a security interest in a previously certificated vehicle may be created and perfected only by compliance with ss. 101.9213 and 101.9218.

(5) (a) If a security interest in a previously certificated mobile home is perfected under any other applicable law of this state on July 1, 2000, the security interest continues perfected:

1. Until its perfection lapses under the law under which it was perfected, or until its perfection would lapse in the absence of a further filing or renewal of filing, whichever occurs sooner.

2. If, before the security interest lapses as described in subd. 1., there is delivered to the department the existing certificate of title together with the application and fee required by s. 101.9214 (1). In such case the department shall issue a new certificate pursuant to s. 101.9214 (3).

(b) If a security interest in a previously certificated mobile home was created, but was unperfected, under any other applicable law of this state on July 1, 2000, it may be perfected under par. (a), but such perfection dates only from the date of the department's receipt of the certificate.

9,1998tp Section 1998tp. 101.94 (8) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

101.94 (8) (a) A Except as provided in par. (c), a person who violates this subchapter or, a rule promulgated under this subchapter or an order issued under this subchapter shall forfeit not more than $1,000 for each violation. Each violation of this subchapter constitutes a separate violation with respect to each manufactured home or mobile home or with respect to each failure or refusal to allow or perform an act required by this subchapter, except the maximum forfeiture under this subsection may not exceed $1,000,000 for a related series of violations occurring within one year of the first violation.

9,1998tt Section 1998tt. 101.94 (8) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

101.94 (8) (c) A person who violates s. 101.935, a rule promulgated under s. 101.935 or an order issued under s. 101.935 may be required to forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $250 for each violation. Each day of continued violation constitutes a separate violation.

9,1998tx Section 1998tx. 101.951 of the statutes is created to read:

101.951 Mobile home dealers regulated. (1) No person may engage in the business of selling mobile homes to a consumer or to the retail market in this state unless first licensed to do so by the department as provided in this section.

(2) (a) Application for a license or a renewal license shall be made to the department on forms prescribed and furnished by the department, accompanied by the license fee required under par. (c) or (d).

(b) 1. The department shall, by rule, establish the license period under this section.

2. The department may promulgate rules establishing a uniform expiration date for all licenses issued under this section.

(c) Except as provided in par. (d), the fee for a license issued under this section equals $50 multiplied by the number of years in the license period. The fee shall be prorated if the license period is not evenly divisible into years.

(d) If the department issues a license under this section during the license period, the fee for the license shall equal $50 multiplied by the number of calendar years, including parts of calendar years, during which the license remains in effect. A fee determined under this paragraph may not exceed the license fee for the entire license period under par. (c).

(3) The department shall issue a license only to a person whose character, fitness and financial ability, in the opinion of the department, are such as to justify the belief that the person can and will deal with and serve the buying public fairly and honestly, will maintain a permanent office and place of business in this state during the license year and will abide by all of the provisions of law and lawful orders of the department.

(5) A licensee shall conduct the licensed business continuously during the license year.

(6) The department may deny, suspend or revoke a license on any of the following grounds:

(a) Proof of unfitness.

(b) A material misstatement in the application for the license.

(d) Wilful failure to comply with any provision of this section or any rule promulgated by the department under this section.

(e) Wilfully defrauding any retail buyer to the buyer's damage.

(f) Wilful failure to perform any written agreement with any retail buyer.

(g) Failure or refusal to furnish and keep in force any bond required.

(h) Having made a fraudulent sale, transaction or repossession.

(i) Fraudulent misrepresentation, circumvention or concealment, through any subterfuge or device, of any of the material particulars or the nature thereof required hereunder to be stated or furnished to the retail buyer.

(j) Use of fraudulent devices, methods or practices in connection with compliance with the statutes with respect to the retaking of goods under retail instalment contracts and the redemption and resale of such goods.

(k) Having indulged in any unconscionable practice relating to said business.

(m) Having sold a retail instalment contract to a sales finance company, as defined in s. 218.01 (1) (v), that is not licensed under s. 218.01.

(n) Having violated any law relating to the sale, distribution or financing of mobile homes.

(7) (a) The department of commerce may, without notice, deny the application for a license within 60 days after receipt thereof by written notice to the applicant, stating the grounds for the denial. Within 30 days after such notice, the applicant may petition the department of administration to conduct a hearing to review the denial, and a hearing shall be scheduled with reasonable promptness. The division of hearings and appeals shall conduct the hearing. This paragraph does not apply to denials of applications for licenses under s. 101.02 (21).

(b) No license may be suspended or revoked except after a hearing thereon. The department of commerce shall give the licensee at least 5 days' notice of the time and place of the hearing. The order suspending or revoking such license shall not be effective until after 10 days' written notice thereof to the licensee, after such hearing has been had; except that the department of commerce, when in its opinion the best interest of the public or the trade demands it, may suspend a license upon not less than 24 hours' notice of hearing and with not less than 24 hours' notice of the suspension of the license. Matters involving suspensions and revocations brought before the department of commerce shall be heard and decided upon by the department of administration. The division of hearings and appeals shall conduct the hearing. This paragraph does not apply to licenses that are suspended or revoked under s. 101.02 (21).

(c) The department of commerce may inspect the pertinent books, records, letters and contracts of a licensee. The actual cost of each such examination shall be paid by such licensee so examined within 30 days after demand therefor by the department, and the department may maintain an action for the recovery of such costs in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(8) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $100 for each offense.

9,1998xc Section 1998xc. 101.952 of the statutes is created to read:

101.952 Mobile home salespersons regulated. (1) No person may engage in the business of selling mobile homes to a consumer or to the retail market in this state without a license therefor from the department. If a mobile home dealer acts as a mobile home salesperson the dealer shall secure a mobile home salesperson's license in addition to the license for engaging as a mobile home dealer.

(2) (a) Applications for a mobile home salesperson's license and renewals thereof shall be made to the department on such forms as the department prescribes and furnishes and shall be accompanied by the license fee required under par. (c) or (d). The application shall include the applicant's social security number. In addition, the application shall require such pertinent information as the department requires.

(b) 1. The department shall, by rule, establish the license period under this section.

2. The department may promulgate rules establishing a uniform expiration date for all licenses issued under this section.

(c) Except as provided in par. (d), the fee for a license issued under this section equals $4 multiplied by the number of years in the license period. The fee shall be prorated if the license period is not evenly divisible into years.

(d) If the department issues a license under this section during the license period, the fee for the license shall equal $4 multiplied by the number of calendar years, including parts of calendar years, during which the license remains in effect. A fee determined under this paragraph may not exceed the license fee for the entire license period under par. (c).

(3) Every licensee shall carry his or her license when engaged in his or her business and display the same upon request. The license shall name his or her employer, and, in case of a change of employer, the mobile home salesperson shall immediately mail his or her license to the department, which shall endorse that change on the license without charge.

(5) The provision of s. 218.01 (3) relating to the denial, suspension and revocation of a motor vehicle salesperson's license shall apply to the denial, suspension and revocation of a mobile home salesperson's license so far as applicable, except that such provision does not apply to the denial, suspension or revocation of a license under s. 101.02 (21) (b).

(6) The provisions of s. 218.01 (3) (g) and (5) shall apply to this section, mobile home sales practices and the regulation of mobile home salespersons, as far as applicable.

9,1998xg Section 1998xg. 101.953 of the statutes is created to read:

101.953 Warranty and disclosure. (1) A one-year written warranty is required for every new mobile home sold, or leased to another, by a mobile home manufacturer, mobile home dealer or mobile home salesperson in this state, and for every new mobile home sold by any person who induces a resident of the state to enter into the transaction by personal solicitation in this state or by mail or telephone solicitation directed to the particular consumer in this state. The warranty shall state all of the following:

(a) That the mobile home meets those standards prescribed by law or administrative rule of the department of administration or of the department of commerce, which are in effect at the time of the manufacture of the mobile home.

(b) That the mobile home is free from defects in material and workmanship and is reasonably fit for human habitation if it receives reasonable care and maintenance as defined by rule of the department.

(c) 1. That the mobile home manufacturer and mobile home dealer shall take corrective action for defects which become evident within one year from the delivery date and as to which the mobile home owner has given notice to the manufacturer or dealer not later than one year and 10 days after the delivery date and at the address set forth in the warranty; and that the mobile home manufacturer and mobile home dealer shall make the appropriate adjustments and repairs, within 30 days after notification of the defect, at the site of the mobile home without charge to the mobile home owner. If the mobile home dealer makes the adjustment, the mobile home manufacturer shall fully reimburse the dealer.

2. If a repair, replacement, substitution or alteration is made under the warranty and it is discovered, before or after expiration of the warranty period, that the repair, replacement, substitution or alteration has not restored the mobile home to the condition in which it was warranted except for reasonable wear and tear, such failure shall be considered a violation of the warranty and the mobile home shall be restored to the condition in which it was warranted to be at the time of the sale except for reasonable wear and tear, at no cost to the purchaser or the purchaser's assignee notwithstanding that the additional repair may occur after the expiration of the warranty period.

(d) That if during any period of time after notification of a defect the mobile home is uninhabitable, as defined by rule of the department, that period of time shall not be considered part of the one-year warranty period.

(e) A list of all parts and equipment not covered by the warranty.

(2) Action by a lessee to enforce the lessee's rights under this subchapter shall not be grounds for termination of the rental agreement.

(3) The warranty required under this section shall apply to the manufacturer of the mobile home as well as to the mobile home dealer who sells or leases the mobile home to the consumer, and shall be in addition to any other rights and privileges that the consumer may have under any instrument or law. The waiver of any remedies under any law and the waiver, exclusion, modification or limitation of any warranty, express or implied, including the implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, is expressly prohibited. Any such waiver is void.

(4) The transfer of a mobile home from one mobile home owner to another during the effective period of the warranty does not terminate the warranty, and subsequent mobile home owners shall be entitled to the full protection of the warranty for the duration of the warranty period as if the original mobile home owner had not transferred the mobile home.

9,1998xL Section 1998xL. 101.954 of the statutes is created to read:

101.954 Sale or lease of used mobile homes. In the sale or lease of any used mobile home, the sales invoice or lease agreement shall contain the point of manufacture of the used mobile home, the name of the manufacturer and the name and address of the previous mobile home owner.

9,1998xp Section 1998xp. 101.955 of the statutes is created to read:

101.955 Jurisdiction and venue over out-of-state manufacturers. (1) The importation of a mobile home for sale in this state by an out-of-state manufacturer is considered an irrevocable appointment by that manufacturer of the department of financial institutions to be that manufacturer's true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all legal processes in any action or proceeding against such manufacturer arising out of the importation of such mobile home into this state.

(2) The department of financial institutions upon whom processes and notices may be served under this section shall, upon being served with such process or notice, mail a copy by registered mail to the out-of-state manufacturer at the nonresident address given in the papers so served. The original shall be returned with proper certificate of service attached for filing in court as proof of service. The service fee shall be $4 for each defendant so served. The department of financial institutions shall keep a record of all such processes and notices, which record shall show the day and hour of service.

9,1998xt Section 1998xt. 101.965 of the statutes is created to read:

101.965 Penalties. (1) Any person who violates ss. 101.953 to 101.955, or any rule promulgated under ss. 101.953 to 101.955, may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.

(2) In any court action brought by the department for violations of this subchapter, the department may recover all costs of testing and investigation, in addition to costs otherwise recoverable, if it prevails in the action.

(3) Nothing in this subchapter prohibits the bringing of a civil action against a mobile home manufacturer, mobile home dealer or mobile home salesperson by an aggrieved consumer. If judgment is rendered for the consumer based on an act or omission by the mobile home manufacturer, mobile home dealer or mobile home salesperson, which constituted a violation of this subchapter, the plaintiff shall recover actual and proper attorney fees in addition to costs otherwise recoverable.

9,1999 Section 1999. 102.01 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read: