My article for this issue will be an legislative update since the 2008
General Assembly   is currently in session and will be until March
9th.  There are two main pieces of legislation that directly effect the
manufactured housing industry, but do not effect modular or
modular sales.  Those 2 pieces of legislation are:
HOUSE BILL NO. 44
Offered January 9, 2008
Prefiled December 5, 2007
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 36-85.16, 36-85.18, and 36-85.20 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the
Manufactured Housing Board.
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Patron-- Scott, J.M.
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Referred to Committee on General Laws
The changes to current law are in italics as follows:
“Substantial identity of interest” means (i) a controlling financial interest by the individual or corporate
principals of the manufactured home broker, dealer, or manufacturer whose license has been revoked or not
renewed or (ii) substantially identical principals or officers as the manufactured home broker, dealer, or
manufacturer whose license has been revoked or not renewed by the Board.
To promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) as are
necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including but not limited to the licensure of
manufactured home brokers, dealers, manufacturers, and salespersons and the relicensure of manufactured
home brokers, dealers, manufacturers, or salespersons after license revocation or nonrenewal;
The Board may revoke or deny renewal of an existing license or refuse to issue a license to any
manufactured home broker, dealer, manufacturer or salesperson who is shown to have a substantial identity
of interest with a manufactured home broker, dealer, or manufacturer whose license has been revoked or not
renewed by the Board.
VAMMHA is supporting this legislation and it has passed the General Laws Committee
unanimously.
HOUSE BILL NO. 660
Offered January 9, 2008
Prefiled January 8, 2008
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-653 of the Code of Virginia, relating to registration and titling of certain
manufactured homes. ----------
Patron-- Lewis
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Referred to Committee on General Laws
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1.  That § 46.2-653 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 46.2-653. Temporary registration or permit for transportation of manufactured homes or house trailers
exceeding the size permitted by law.
The Commissioner may grant a temporary registration or permit for the transportation of manufactured homes
or house trailers, which exceed the size permitted by law, on the highways in the Commonwealth from one
point to another within the Commonwealth, or from the Commonwealth to a point or points outside the
Commonwealth, or from outside the Commonwealth to a point or points within the Commonwealth. Such
temporary registration or permit shall show the registration or permit number, the date of issue, the date of
expiration, and the route to be traveled or other restrictions and shall be displayed in a prominent place on the
vehicle. The owner of every manufactured home or house trailer of this sort purchased in the Commonwealth
for use within the Commonwealth or brought into the Commonwealth for use within the Commonwealth shall
apply within 30 days to the Department for title in the name of the owner. This requirement shall not apply to
inventory held by licensed Virginia dealers for the purpose of resale. After a manufactured home has been titled
in the Commonwealth and at such time as the wheels and other equipment previously used for mobility have
been removed and the unit has been attached to the realty, then the manufactured home
  or house trailer
   shall,
  
for all purposes, be deemed to be real estate and Virginia title issued for the unit may be returned to the
Department for cancellation and the unit shall thereafter be transferred only as real estate is transferred. The
validity of any security interest perfected pursuant to §§ 46.2-636 through 46.2-641 shall continue,
notwithstanding the provisions of this section.
VAMMHA is supporting this legislation and it has passed the General Laws Committee
unanimously.