In a story that the Daily Business News has followed closely, the Ohio Manufactured Housing Association (OMHA) saw the Ohio House of Representatives pass Substitute HB 49, the “State of Ohio budget bill” on May 2nd, restoring the Ohio Manufactured Homes Commission (OMHC), consistent with present law.
As we reported prior, the original proposal from Governor John Kasich’s’ office would have abolished the OMHC, and transferred its responsibility to the Ohio Department of Commerce (DOC).
At the core of the campaign against the Commission are claims from Ohio fire and environmental officials who say the board doesn’t do enough to prevent manufactured home fires and ensure clean drinking water in the MH communities.
As Daily Business News readers are already aware, we have pointed out the facts versus myths surrounding manufactured homes and fires, noting that homes built under post-1976 federal regulations have the same rates in this area as traditional homes.
The OMHC has wide ranging responsibilities as an independent agency, including all regulation of home installations & inspections, dispute resolution, sales licensing, and manufactured home community regulation.
The OMHC also conducts inspections of all new and previously owned manufactured home installations, resulting in less than 10 complaints in the last three years. By comparison, 23,000 home installations have occurred in the last decade, and prior to the Commission’s existence 500 -800 improper home installation complaints occurred annually.
The OMHA, along with the Association of Manufactured Home Residents of Ohio (AMHRO), representing homeowners and residents, vigorously opposed the proposal from the Kasich Administration during recent legislative testimony before the Ohio House.
During the testimony, AMHRO President Frank Pojman said: “I urge any of your Committee to review agendas and minutes of the MH Commission meetings, to see the all-important issues that are discussed, for the benefits and safety of manufactured homeowners.”
“The House of Representatives provided for thorough discussion during legislative testimony,” said OMHA Executive Director Tim Williams.
“I am pleased the House recognized the value of maintaining the independent Manufactured Homes Commission and its record of consistently operating below budget, providing 100% homeowner safety inspections and reducing both homeowner and business fees.”
The Ohio Senate will now consider Substitute HB 49. The Daily Business News will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates. ##
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Submitted by RC Williams to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.
