HB 226

Under existing law, a transaction fee is required for each application of certificate of title

Under existing law, a manufactured home not more than 20 model years old, is required to make application to a designated agent for a certificate of title

This bill clarifies that the existing transaction fees shall be based on each unit of a manufactured home subject to titling

This bill provides that manufactured housing units designated as a 2000 year model and all models subsequent thereto shall be subject to titling under Chapter 20 of Title 32 unless otherwise exempted

To amend Sections 32-20-4, 32-20-20, and 32-20-21, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the certificate of title transaction fees and manufactured housing certificates of title; to clarify the fee disbursement for the Alabama Housing Foundation; to update the year requirement on a manufactured home that is required to obtain a certificate of title and provide exemptions.

Section 1

Sections 32-20-4, 32-20-20, and 32-20-21, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:

§32-20-4.

(a) There shall be paid to the department for issuing and processing documents required by this chapter a fee of fifteen dollars ($15) for each of unit of a manufactured home required to be titled under Section 32-20-20 for the following transactions:

(1) Each application for certificate of title.

(2) Each application for replacement or corrected certificate of title.

(3) Each application for certificate of title after transfer.

(4) Each notice of security interest.

(5) Each assignment by lienholder.

(6) Each application for cancellation of a certificate of origin or certificate of title.

(7) Each application for information as to the status of the title of a manufactured home. Such information shall be treated in the same manner as prescribed by state and federal statutes, rules, and regulations regarding the confidentiality and disclosure of motor vehicle records.

(b) The designated agents shall add the sum of one dollar fifty cents ($1.50) for each transaction, as specified in subsection (a), processed for which this fee is charged to be retained as the agent's commission for services rendered, and all other fees collected shall be remitted to the department in a manner prescribed by the department.

(c) If more than one transaction is involved in any application on a single manufactured home and if supported by all required documents, the fee charged by the department and by the designated agent for processing and issuing shall be considered as only one transaction for which the designated agent shall receive and retain one dollar fifty cents ($1.50) and shall collect and remit to the department fifteen dollars ($15).

(d) A fee of five dollars ($5) shall be added for each transaction, as specified in subdivisions (1), (3), and (6) of subsection (a), for each unit of a manufactured home required to be titled under Section 32-20-20, to be distributed to the nonprofit 501(c)3 foundation known as the Alabama Housing Foundation.

(e) Every transaction shall be accompanied by the fee specified in this chapter, regardless of whether the title is issued electronically or not, unless specifically exempted by this chapter.

§32-20-20.

(a) Except as provided in Section 32-20-21 or subsection (b), every owner of a manufactured home designated a 1990 year model and not more than 20 model years old, as determined by the department, and all models subsequent thereto which is in this state and for which no certificate of title has been issued by the department, shall make application to a designated agent as herein defined for a certificate of title to the manufactured home, or to each unit thereof if the manufactured home consists of more than one unit.

(b) If a manufactured home not more than 20 model years old, as determined by the department subject to titling under this section, is permanently affixed to a parcel of real property and the ownership of the manufactured home and real property is identical, the original retail purchaser or lienholder for the original retail purchaser as recorded on the certificate of origin or the titled owner or owners lienholder recorded on the certificate of title may apply for a cancellation of a certificate of origin or certificate of title through a designated agent and obtain from the Alabama Department of Revenue a certificate of cancellation of the certificate of origin or cancellation of the certificate of title to the manufactured home by delivering to the department, all of the following:

(1) The certificate of origin or certificate of title to the manufactured home, or each separate certificate of origin or certificate of title if the manufactured home consists of more than one unit or, in lieu thereof, post a bond in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of Section 32-20-24.

(2) Lien release from lienholder as recorded on the certificate of title or, in lieu thereof, post a bond in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of Section 32-20-24.

(3) An affidavit executed by all who have an ownership interest in the manufactured home and the realty to which the manufactured home has become permanently affixed to the effect that the manufactured home is permanently affixed to the realty described in the deed and containing written verification from the judge of probate that the manufactured home has been recorded as being permanently affixed and recorded as real property in that county.

(c) If a manufactured home for which the certificate of origin or certificate of title has been cancelled as provided in this section or previously cancelled under Section 32-8-30, is subsequently detached from the realty to which it became permanently affixed, the current owner or owners must reapply for a new certificate of title, post a bond in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of Section 32-20-24, and pay the required fee specified in Section 32-20-4, for the manufactured home, or if in more than one section, for each component unit.

(d) Any dealer, acting for himself, herself, or another, who sells, trades, or otherwise transfers any manufactured home required to be titled under this chapter who does not comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined in a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).

(e) The department shall maintain a record of all certificates of title and manufacturer's certificate of origin that are cancelled pursuant to this section:

(1) Under a distinctive title number if a certificate of title was issued and subsequently cancelled.

(2) Under the manufactured home identification number.

(3) Under the name of the owner on whose behalf the certificate of title or certificate of origin is cancelled.

(4) In the discretion of the department, by any other method the department determines.

§32-20-21.

No certificate of title shall be issued for any of the following:

(1) A manufactured home owned by the United States or any agency thereof.

(2) A manufactured home owned by a manufacturer or licensed manufactured home dealer and held for sale.

(3) A manufactured home owned by a nonresident of this state and not located in this state.

(4) Manufactured homes designated more than 20 model years old, as determined by the department, and all 1989 and 1999 and prior year models.

(5) Modular homes.

(6) A manufactured home situated in this state and permanently affixed to the real property on which it is placed and for which the certificate of title or the manufacturer's certificate of origin has been cancelled pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 32-20-20.

(7) Any other manufactured homes as prescribed by the department."

Section 2

This act shall become effective January 1, 2020, following its passage and approval by the Governor, or upon its otherwise becoming law.