§9001. Declaration of purpose

1.  Declaration.  It is found and declared that:

A. The production and utilization of manufactured housing and the use of new and improving technologies, techniques, methods and materials have and will increase the available supply of housing at prices that residents of this State can afford;   [PL 1993, c. 642, §8 (AMD).]

B. It is in the interest of the people of this State that that housing be safe from hazardous defects and that its construction and installation include adequate regulation to establish minimum safety standards that can reduce defects, provide uniformity of standards to reduce costs and provide confidence in that housing;   [PL 1993, c. 642, §8 (AMD).]

C. The production and use of manufactured housing utilizing production technologies, techniques, methods and materials require the application and enforcement of uniform building codes and installation standards within this State;   [PL 2005, c. 678, §1 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 678, §13 (AFF).]

D. Manufactured housing may present hazards to the health, life and safety of persons and to the safety of property unless properly manufactured because vital parts, including but not limited to heating, plumbing, electrical and structural systems, are concealed and defects may not be readily ascertainable when inspected by a purchaser. Accordingly, it is the policy and purpose of this State to provide protection to the public against those possible hazards; and   [PL 2017, c. 210, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

E. As a valued and important component of the housing industry in this State, manufactured housing is recognized as residential property, whether it is real property or personal property, notwithstanding the requirements of Title 29-A, and manufactured housing for which no certificate of title has been issued is considered real property when it has been permanently affixed to real property that is owned by the owner of the manufactured housing.   [PL 2013, c. 125, §1 (AMD).]

[PL 2017, c. 210, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

2.  Intent.  It is therefore declared that the State, with the passage of this chapter, intends:

A. To provide protection to the public against hazards from poorly constructed or installed manufactured housing;   [PL 1977, c. 550, §1 (NEW).]

B. To provide and enforce, with respect to its licensees and political subdivisions, uniform performance standards for construction and installation of manufactured housing that ensure durability and safety of manufactured housing;   [PL 1999, c. 725, §1 (AMD).]

C. To eliminate all costly, duplicative regulations and to adopt rules that provide for the performance necessary to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing at prices that people of this State can afford and to establish regulations that govern those matters within this State;   [PL 1993, c. 642, §8 (AMD).]

D. To establish an administrative board for the purpose of administering and enforcing this chapter and applicable warranties;   [PL 1993, c. 642, §8 (AMD).]

E. To require this board to assume responsibilities as consistent with this chapter, including the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, the administration and enforcement of rules, investigations of complaints and any other acts that are consistent with the purposes of this chapter;   [PL 1999, c. 725, §1 (AMD).]

F. To have this board, in the administration of this chapter, give consideration to economic factors that may result in additional costs to home buyers and eliminate any unnecessary costs that may occur from the enforcement of this chapter or any other Act; and   [PL 1993, c. 642, §8 (AMD).]

G. To grant to this board the investigative and regulatory powers it may reasonably require to accomplish the foregoing purposes and intent and to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including making decisions, in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act.   [PL 1993, c. 642, §8 (AMD).]

[PL 1999, c. 725, §1 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1977, c. 550, §1 (NEW). PL 1981, c. 152, §1 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 642, §8 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 725, §1 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 678, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 678, §13 (AFF). PL 2013, c. 125, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 210, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).