- Committee -

SCS/SBs 771, 849 & 822 - This act authorizes owners of self-storage facilities to charge a lessee a late fee for failing to pay rent on time. The late fee charged by the operator shall be stated in the rental agreement or an addendum to the agreement. A late fee of $20 or 20% of the monthly rent shall be deemed reasonable. An operator may charge a late fee varying from this amount but, the operator will have the burden of proving that the fee is reasonable. The operator of a self-storage facility may recover reasonable rent collection and lien enforcement expenses in addition to late fees. This portion of the act is similar to SB 771 (2000).

This act exempts used manufactured homes and certain used modular units from complying with the manufactured housing chapter. Under the act, no person shall sell a new modular unit or used modular unit used for educational purposes without bearing a seal signifying that the unit complies with the code. No person shall alter any new manufactured home, new modular unit or used modular unit used for educational purposes if such alteration would violate the code. It is a misdemeanor to rent, lease, sell, or offer to sell a new manufactured home, new modular unit, or used modular unit used for educational purposes that does not bear a seal. It is also a misdemeanor to fail to correct a code violation within 90 days on a new manufactured home, new modular unit, or a used modular unit used for educational purposes.

This act raises the dealer's initial registration fee to be filed with the Public Service Commission from $50 to $250. The renewal fee for a deal is raised from $250 to $750 and the renewal fee for a manufacturer is raised from $50 to $200. This portion of the act is similar to SB 849 (2000).

This act requires the addition of fire sprinklers in all high rise buildings built before 2000 and used for human occupation. A high rise is a building that is above 75 feet in height (the height of most fire truck ladders). These buildings must be retrofitted with an approved sprinkler system by 2012. The 12 year period to install systems is phased in. The minimum standards for the sprinklers will be the National Fire Protection Association standard for sprinkler systems.

The State Fire Marshal shall approve of plans and set review fees. Violations of this act are deemed a Class B misdemeanor (a fine of up to $500, imprisonment up to 6 months, or both).

This portion of the act is similar to SB 822 (2000) and SB 232 (1999).

STEPHEN WITTE