North Dakota 2023-2024 Regular Session

North Dakota Senate Bill SB2243

Introduced
1/13/23  
Refer
1/13/23  
Report Pass
2/17/23  
Engrossed
2/21/23  
Refer
2/22/23  
Report Pass
3/30/23  
Enrolled
4/12/23  

Caption

The transferability, revocation, and suspension of licenses for a mobile home park, small claims court jurisdiction, and required disclosures to tenants residing in a mobile home park; and to provide a penalty.

Impact

The enactment of SB2243 will significantly affect the regulations governing mobile home parks in North Dakota. Specifically, it establishes clear requirements for mobile home park owners regarding license transfers, necessitating that they provide timely notifications about ownership changes and any modifications to park rules. Additionally, the bill mandates that tenants be allowed to continue residing in their homes during any license suspension, thereby reinforcing their rights during disputes. The bill also empowers tenants to take their grievances to small claims court, expanding their ability to seek civil damages and requiring fair practices in dealings with landlords.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 2243 seeks to amend and reenact multiple sections of the North Dakota Century Code concerning the management and regulation of mobile home parks. The bill centralizes the issues of license transferability, revocation and suspension of licenses, jurisdiction in small claims court, and the required disclosures that mobile home park owners must provide to tenants. These legislative changes aim to provide tenants with greater protections while ensuring that mobile home park operators comply with state laws regarding their licensing and operational responsibilities.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment around SB2243 appears to align with a push for tenant protection and regulatory compliance. Various stakeholders, including lawmakers and housing advocates, have expressed support for the bill, citing its potential to enhance the security and rights of tenants living in mobile home parks. However, there may be some concerns among operators of mobile home parks regarding additional regulatory requirements and potential penalties that could arise from non-compliance. This sentiment reflects a balancing act between protecting tenant rights and ensuring that regulations do not unduly burden park operators.

Contention

While SB2243 has garnered broad support, some points of contention may arise regarding the implications of certain provisions. Notably, the requirement for mobile home park owners to provide advance written notice of any rule changes and to justify rent increases could be seen as infringing on the operators' flexibility in managing their properties. Additionally, the stipulation that tenants can continue living in the park during license suspensions without facing changes to their rental terms raises questions about the long-term operational implications for park owners. This dynamic underscores ongoing tensions between landlord rights and tenant protections in housing policy.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.