House panel rejects mobile home proposal

BOISE (AP) - House lawmakers rejected a plan to require mobile-home park owners give their tenant associations 30-day notice when they decide to sell, saying such a mandate would intrude on private-property rights.

Rep. Phylis King, a Boise Democrat, had hoped to increase protections for mobile-home park residents who own their trailers, but can't move them if the ground beneath their units is sold.

Rep. King's bill would have allowed landlords to consider counteroffers from tenant associations, to keep the land dedicated to mobile homes that provide housing to low-income residents.

But it was voted down 13-4, with majority Republicans on the House Business Committee opting not to interfere with private transactions.

Rep. Brent Crane of Nampa said landlords should be able to dispose of properties as they please.