Richard Cheatum — Moves to approve the minutes from the February 5th, 2006 meeting.
Richard Cheatum — Asked whether the bill changes existing foundation requirements in code and corrected his own address to the chair.
Richard Cheatum — Representative Richard Cheatum opens the exchange and then asks the witness to clarify what is meant by 'modern manufactured homes,' pointing out that the statute being amended refers to homes built after 1976 and asking what timeline is intended for 'modern.' The committee then returns to him after the witness’s answer, indicating the discussion continues as part of the same exchange.
Richard Cheatum — Richard Cheatum first asks a follow-up question about the cost of a small loan and briefly enters a point-of-order exchange over whether the discussion is targeting one company. He then gives extended comments on payday lending, explaining that many borrowers are unbankable or have poor credit and often have few alternatives for short-term cash needs. He shares an anecdote about seeing recognizable community members using a payday lender, notes that he understands the borrower need but still cannot support the motion, and the chair then notes there is no motion before the committee.
Richard Cheatum — Voted yes.
Richard Cheatum — Representative Cheatum questioned Mr. Madsen about the $18.50 per hundred dollars loan charge, asking whether it was MoneyTree’s own policy or an industry-wide standard and where that rate originated.
Faye Thompson — Moves to approve minutes from February 9, February 27, and March 3rd, as written.
Faye Thompson — Asked whether the units would be required to be on a foundation.
Faye Thompson — Representative Faye Thompson is recognized on the motion, states her full support for the bill, shares a personal example about owning a manufactured home to underscore its quality and affordability benefits, and then votes yes.
Faye Thompson — Representative Faye Thompson asked a question about the average loan amount the lender allows, and the witness responded directly to her inquiry.
Josh Wheeler — Josh Wheeler is introduced as the Vice Chair who will present HB 707, then explains the bill as a simple tool for municipalities to address access-related property issues and reduce barriers for landowners, and is later noted as the member who will carry the bill on the floor.
Josh Wheeler — The witness addresses Chair Wheeler at the start of testimony.
Josh Wheeler — Votes yes during the roll call vote.
Josh Wheeler — Representative Josh Wheeler questions Mr. Mattson about whether the bill’s exclusion for regulated lenders would still apply to MoneyTree, noting that the business appears to be regulated and asking how the section would end up applying to the company.
Vito Barbieri — Representative Vito Barbieri asks for clarification on the phrase 'adequate legal access,' specifically whether it means an easement or some other written access right, and receives clarification in response.
Vito Barbieri — Representative Vito Barbieri questioned the witness about the durability of modular/manufactured homes, asking whether they cost more to maintain than stick-built homes and whether their structural components deteriorate faster than traditional homes. The witness response addressed Barbieri’s concerns within the same discussion.
Vito Barbieri — Votes yes during the roll call vote.
Vito Barbieri — Representative Barbieri questioned the witness about payday lending risks and repayment outcomes, first suggesting that a cap could push borrowers toward loan sharks and asking how illegal online lenders collect debts. He then followed up by asking for default or failure-rate statistics and how unpaid loans are handled, including whether collection efforts are made. In the same exchange, he was used as an example in an explanation of Idaho’s extended payment plan protections, and he continued pressing for a clear ratio of borrowers who cannot repay their loans. The discussion remained focused on borrower default, collections, and the implications of lending regulations.
Vito Barbieri — Representative Barbieri questioned the implications of a 30% lending cap, asking whether it would reduce defaults or repeat borrowing, whether the cap might later be lowered, and whether eliminating the model would push borrowers toward illegal offshore lenders. He also expressed that he was thinking through the issue and recognized the problem of repeat borrowers being victimized.
Kyle Harris — Representative Harris seeks clarification that the bill is optional for municipalities and does not require cities to use the process, asking whether he is reading the bill correctly and confirming that it only gives local governments the choice to approve or adopt the process.
Kyle Harris — Representative Harris interjected to express agreement and then asked the witness to clarify what a multifamily manufactured home is, including whether it is similar to a duplex or a multi-wide unit.
Kyle Harris — Kyle Harris questioned Schumacher’s statistics about fire and electrical hazards in manufactured homes, citing his own experience wiring homes in rural Idaho and arguing that modern manufactured homes meet current code for electrical, plumbing, roofing, and fire safety. He then continued by saying these homes are essentially stick-built houses on a chassis and asked whether Schumacher’s opposition was really just a preference for 3D-printed homes.
Kyle Harris — Referenced for noting that the homes are built to very high standards.
Kyle Harris — The chair cites Representative Harris as having noted the homes are built to high standards.
Kyle Harris — Moves to send House Bill 800 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Kyle Harris — Likely the intended member for 'Representative Ayler’s'; votes yes, though the transcript is uncertain.
Kyle Harris — Voted yes.
Kyle Harris — Representative Kyle Harris said the committee faces a difficult choice in balancing regulation of private industry against protecting people from predatory loans, and he indicated he would support the motion to send the bill forward while reserving the right to change his position on the floor.
Jordan Redman — Jordan Redmond introduces House Bill 800 and then responds to committee questions about its practical effects. He explains that without CC&R restrictions, manufactured or modular homes could be placed in traditional residential subdivisions, though higher-end developments typically already have restrictions that would likely prevent that. He also clarifies that the bill does not require a foundation, and confirms that if property owners choose, a manufactured home could be placed on their property. He then closes committee questions and introduces the first witness.
Jordan Redman — Schumacher said he has respect for Representative Redmond.
Jordan Redman — The chair is referred to as Chairman Redmond when the podium is turned back for closing remarks.
Jordan Redman — Closes discussion by referencing Representative Crane’s question, Harrison Boulevard, historical districts, CC&Rs, and asks for a due pass recommendation.
Jordan Redman — Responds that such development is happening around the state and is up to the developer’s strategy.
Jordan Redman — Votes yes as chairman during the roll call vote.
Jordan Redman — Chairman Redman is identified as taking back the gavel.
Jordan Redman — The witness addressed Jordan Redman as the committee chairman, referring to him as "Honorable Chairman Redmond."
Jordan Redman — The chair closes testimony and asks if anyone else wishes to testify.
Jordan Redman — Representative Skog is invited to speak next.
Jordan Redman — The chair grants permission for Representative Skog to read from the article.
Jordan Redman — The chair is addressed in the follow-up question.
Jordan Redman — The chair is addressed as 'Chairman Redmond,' a likely transcription error.
Jordan Redman — The chair is addressed as 'Chairman Redmond,' a likely transcription error.
Jordan Redman — Addressed as Chairman Redmond during the response to Representative Barbieri.
Jordan Redman — Addressed as Chairman Redmond while the witness/advocate explains support for a 30% limit.
Jaron Crane — Representative Crane questioned whether modular or manufactured homes could be allowed in traditional residential subdivisions if the bill passes, including in higher-end neighborhoods. He expressed concern that the bill might permit entry-level manufactured homes to be placed alongside million-dollar homes in the same subdivision, and he further asked whether a manufactured home could be placed on Harrison Boulevard if there are no CC&Rs.
Jaron Crane — Jaron Crane asks follow-up questions about whether the committee discussed land being developed into a manufactured community and marketed as affordable starter homes, specifically asking if such developments would be placed in existing residential neighborhoods. Shortly afterward, he is recorded voting no in the roll call.
Jaron Crane — Representative Jaron Crane questioned the witness about title-loan practices, focusing on whether loans are simply written off after a required 60-day extension and how the business remains viable if unpaid loans are not collected. He then shifted to a Seattle Times article about MoneyTree and challenged the witness’s explanation, asking whether the company sued for defamation and noting that the article did not mention title loans. The exchange continued as the witness responded and Crane was referenced again in connection with the article being discussed.
Jaron Crane — Representative Crane first asked for the committee to be put at ease so he could speak with the sponsor, then later requested unanimous consent to withdraw his prior motion to send House Bill 649 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. He followed by making a new motion to send House Bill 649 to general orders and indicated he wanted to speak to that motion, framing it as a compromise between consumer protection concerns and keeping Money Tree viable.
Ginger Bidegatai — Ginger Bidegatai, executive director of the Ada County Manufactured Housing Association, testified in support of House Bill 800. She explained that the bill includes practical updates to support manufactured housing, including provisions that preserve local control through objective design standards while protecting historic districts and private covenants. She also clarified aspects of manufactured homes, noting that they can be single-wide, multi-sectional, or dual-entry configurations.
Mrs. Bidegatai — Mrs. Bidegatai responded to Representative Barbieri’s concerns about manufactured homes, stating that there are no numbers supporting claims that they deteriorate faster. She explained that modern manufactured homes are built to higher standards, including two-by-six frame construction on a chassis and strong insulation, and offered to provide further help or information.