BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 944

By: Riddle

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that applying for a manufactured home dealer's license is a lengthy and costly process for those individuals who are interested in selling a limited number of manufactured homes. These parties cite other instances where exemptions from certain licensing requirements have proven to be feasible and contend that it is also reasonable to allow an individual to sell five or fewer manufactured homes in a 12-month period without holding a retailer's license. H.B. 944 seeks to address this issue by creating an exemption from license requirements for a limited number of sales of manufactured housing.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 944 amends the Occupations Code to exempt a person from holding a retailer's license issued under the Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act in any 12-month period if during that period the person sells or offers to sell not more than five manufactured homes. The bill requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs operating through its manufactured housing division by rule to develop a form necessary for a person to establish eligibility for the exemption. The bill establishes that a person who is eligible for the exemption remains subject to certain other applicable provisions of law regarding the sale of manufactured homes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.