Source: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/calendar/sc080415.htm
Timestamp: 2018-06-19 05:02:59
Document Index: 334114431

Matched Legal Cases: ['§6201', '§ 6204', '§ 6205', '§ 6231', '§ 6236', '§ 6237', '§ 4467', '§ 6237', '§ 6238', '§ 6239', '§ 6239', '§ 6240', '§ 6241', '§ 6242', '§ 6242', '§ 6244', '§ 6244', '§ 5005', '§ 5006', '§ 6245', '§ 6245', '§ 6246', '§ 6247', '§6252', '§6253', '§6254', '§ 6254', '§6262', '§6263', '§ 6263', '§6264', '§ 6264', '§ 6265', '§ 505']

S. 278 Relating to financing campaigns (VETOED)..................................... 1318
CONSIDERATION POSPONED UNTIL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008
SR 26 People’s Republic of China’s human rights violations in Tibet........... 1318
UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008
S. 45 Relating to right to attend town meeting........................................... 1318
Sen. White amendment.......................................................... 1319
UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2008
S. 369 Recognition of tribes & bands of native Americans by the Vermont ......... commission on native American affairs 1319
By the Committee on Ec. Dev., Housing & Gen. Affairs......... 1319
Sen. Illuzzi amendment........................................................... 1319
H. 636 Relating to embezzlement by a public official.................................... 1325
H. 862 Amendments to the charter of the village of Waterbury.................... 1325
H. 883 Amendments to Vermont’s public retirement systems....................... 1325
H. 764 Relating to expanded eligibility for Vermont veterans’ medal............ 1325
Government Operations Committee report............................. 1325
H. 641 Relating to nursing mothers in the workplace.................................... 1325
Ec. Dev., Housing & General Affairs Committee Report......... 1325
H. 884 Prekindergarten education programs through school districts............ 1327
Education Committee Report................................................. 1327
H. 331 Financing the purchase of a mobile home......................................... 1328
Ec. Dev., Housing & General Affairs Committee Report......... 1328
H. 664 Relating to unemployment insurance................................................ 1328
H. 332 Relating to sale and closure of mobile home parks........................... 1328
H. 635 Relating to reports of child abuse of neglect..................................... 1356
Health and Welfare Committee Report................................... 1356
Appropriations Committee Report......................................... 1379
H. 709 Relating to campgrounds................................................................. 1379
Ec. Dev., Housing & General Affairs Committee Report......... 1379
H. 776 Computation of the basic needs budget & livable wage.................... 1380
Ec. Dev., Housing & General Affairs Committee Report......... 1380
(Third Day on Notice Calendar)
Prop. 1 General assembly, organizational session......................................... 1381
Government Operations Committee Report............................ 1381
(Second Day on Notice Calendar)
Prop. 5 Elections; voter’s oath; self-administration....................................... 1383
Government Operations Committee Report............................ 1383
S. 70 Empowering municipalities to regulate pesticides.............................. 1384
S. 102 School dist. excess spending........................................................... 1385
S. 108 Electing U.S. Representative & U.S. Senator by instant runoff......... 1385
S. 118 Fiscal review of high spending school districts.................................. 1385
S. 211 Soliciting or architect proposals by a school district.......................... 1385
S. 348 Education/workforce training for children between ages 16 &18...... 1385
JRS 24 Congressional “fast track” review of trade agreements..................... 1385
CONSIDERATION POSTPONED UNTIL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008
Senate resolution relating to expressing strong opposition to, and urging effective and immediate congressional action to stop, the government of the People’s Republic of China’s human rights violations in the geographic area known as Tibet.
(For text of Resolution, see Senate Journal of April 9, 2008, page 583)
PROPOSAL OF AMENDMENT TO HOUSE PROPOSAL OF AMENDMENT TO S. 45 TO BE OFFERED BY SENATOR WHITE
Senator White moves that the Senate concur in the House proposal of amendment with the following amendment:
By the Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs (Sen. Illuzzi for the Committee).
AMENDMENT TO S. 369 TO BE OFFERED BY SENATOR ILLUZZI, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING AND GENERAL AFFAIRS
Senator Illuzzi, on behalf of the Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs moves to amend the bill by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
(c) An applicant shall receive a minimum of two months to supplement, clarify, or amend its application in response to any request for additional information or clarification made by the commission pursuant to
(b) Process for state recognition of Abenaki tribes or bands in the state of Vermont. The commission shall establish rules pursuant to chapter 25 of
Title 3 for applicants who seek recognition as a tribe or band. Applications shall be reviewed by the commission. Recognition shall be granted if a two-thirds majority of the commission members eligible to vote determine that an applicant meets the criteria set forth in this section. A commission member who is also a member of an applicant group shall be disqualified from hearing and deciding the application for recognition.
(For House amendments, see House Journal for March 12, 2008, page 518.)
Reported favorably with recommendation of proposal of amendment by Senator Nitka for the Committee on Education.
Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. §6201 is amended to read:
(5) “Leaseholder” means a resident lawfully occupying a mobile home owned by the park owner or the owner of a mobile home sited on a mobile home lot regardless of whether they have actual possession of a written lease.
(6) "Mobile home park resident" or “resident” means an individual, individuals, or family who occupies a mobile home on a permanent or temporary basis in a mobile home park as that term is defined in subdivision (2) of this section.
(7) "Mobile home park owner" or “park owner” means the owners, operators, officers, or managing agents of a mobile home park as well as any person acting through any corporate or other device who has the practical authority to establish rules, policies, or other requirements for the operation of the mobile home park. The term shall not include a stockholder for a corporation owning stock in a mobile home park unless such stockholder has a controlling interest in the corporation and has the practical authority to establish rules, policies or other requirements for the operation of the mobile home park.
Sec. 2. 10 V.S.A. § 6204(c) is amended to read:
(c) To the extent that they are consistent with this chapter, the provisions of chapter 137 of Title 9 (residential rental agreements) and the provisions of subchapter 3 of chapter 169 of Title 12 (eviction) shall apply to the occupancy and rental of a mobile home but not and the provisions of subchapter 3 of chapter 169 of Title 12 (eviction) shall apply to the rental of a mobile home lot.
Sec. 3. 10 V.S.A. § 6205(c) is amended to read:
(c) A resident of leaseholder may bring an action against a the park owner for a violation of sections 6236-6243 of this title. The action shall be filed in district court for the district in which the alleged violation occurred. If the resident's leaseholder’s claim against the park owner exceeds the jurisdictional limit of the district court, an action may be brought in superior court in the county in which the alleged violation occurred. No action may be commenced by the resident leaseholder unless the resident leaseholder has first notified the park owner of the violation by certified mail at least 30 days prior to bringing the action. During the pendency of an action brought by a resident leaseholder, the resident leaseholder shall pay rent in an amount designated in the lease, or as provided by law, which rental amount shall be deposited in an escrow account as directed by the court.
Sec. 4. 10 V.S.A. § 6231 is amended to read:
Sec. 5. 10 V.S.A. § 6236(a),(b), (c), (d), and (e) are amended to read:
(a) All terms governing the use and occupancy of a mobile home lot shall be contained in a written lease. Mobile home park owners shall promulgate reasonable and fair lease terms governing the use and occupancy of a mobile home lot and shall furnish an initial copy of the lease to all leaseholders. Any lease term which prohibits or in any other manner obstructs the ability of any leaseholder to act in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be unenforceable. Any lease term which is not uniformly applied to all leaseholders of the same or a similar category shall be unenforceable, except that a park owner may establish a different lot rent rate for a mobile home park constructed after June 1, 1995, or for new lots in an expanded mobile home park constructed after June 1, 1995. Mobile home park owners shall not restrict access by representatives of the department to the leaseholders of the park.
(b) A lease term requiring the removal from a mobile home park of a mobile home which is detrimental to the other residents of the park for either health, safety or aesthetic reasons shall not be considered unreasonable or unfair.
(c) Prospective leaseholders shall be furnished with a copy of the proposed lease prior to any agreement to use or occupy a mobile home lot, and upon acceptance of the lease terms the lease shall be signed by the lessor and lessee. Any provision in a lease governing rental and utility charges shall be effective for a minimum of one year, except in the case of a new leaseholder in a mobile home park in which there is a uniform rent schedule which affects all lots in that park simultaneously. The initial lease for a new leaseholder may include the anticipated increase in the rent and utility charge at the time it occurs for the other lots. A mobile home park owner shall provide leaseholders with a minimum of 60 days notice prior to any rent increase. Rent increase notices shall not be given within six months prior to the issuance of a closure notice or any time during which the closure notice is in effect. All increases in rent received by the mobile home park owner during the six months prior to the issuance of a closure notice shall be returned to the affected leaseholders within seven days of issuance of the closure notice, except when the commissioner determines the increase is needed to help remedy an emergency situation affecting the resident’s health, safety, or welfare. This subsection shall not apply to proprietary leases in mobile home parks owned by limited equity housing cooperatives established under chapter 14 of Title 11. The rental and utility charge may be increased during a year if the operating expenses of the park increase 20 percent or more during that year as the result of legislative action taken during that year and the increase could not have been anticipated. The rental and utility charge may be increased during a year only to the extent necessary to cover the increase in operating expenses of the park.
(d) No person shall sell, lease, or sublease a mobile home resident may sublet the resident's mobile home without the express permission or sublease or assign a lease for a lot in a mobile home park without first obtaining the written approval of the park owner, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. A violation of this subsection shall be grounds for eviction.
(e) All mobile home lot leases shall contain the following:
(5) The requirement of to obtain permission, if any, from the park owner for subletting prior to leasing or selling a mobile home or assigning or subleasing a lease for a mobile home lot to another person.
(6) The notice required from a leaseholder in order to terminate the lease or occupancy arrangement.
(f) A copy of all new lease terms shall be furnished to all leaseholders at least 30 days prior to the effective date of any amendment, addition, or deletion of the existing lease terms. Upon request the park owner shall provide any leaseholder with a copy of the current lease for their lot.
Sec. 6. 10 V.S.A. § 6237(a) is amended to read:
(a) A leaseholder may be evicted only for nonpayment of rent or for a substantial violation of the lease terms of the mobile home park, or if there is a change in use of the park land or parts thereof or a termination of the mobile home park, and only in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) A leaseholder shall not be evicted by force or any other self-help measure.
(2) Prior to the commencement of any eviction proceeding, the park owner must notify the leaseholder by certified or registered mail, except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection;
(A) of the grounds for an eviction proceeding;
(B) that an eviction proceeding may be commenced if the leaseholder does not pay the overdue rent within 20 days from the date of the mailing of the notice.
(3) A substantial violation of the lease terms, of the mobile home park, or an additional nonpayment of rent occurring within six months of the giving of the notice referred to in subdivision (2) of this subsection may result in immediate eviction proceedings.
(4) A substantial violation of the lease terms, other than an uncured nonpayment of rent, will be insufficient to support a judgment of eviction unless the proceeding is commenced within 60 days of the last alleged violation.
(b) A leaseholder shall not be evicted when there is proof that the lease terms he or she is accused of violating are not enforced with respect to the other leaseholders or others on the park premises.
(c) A sale or change in the form of ownership of the mobile home park shall not be grounds for eviction.
(d) This section shall apply only to evictions undertaken by the park owner. Evictions of a mobile home resident by a mobile home owner who is not the park owner shall be governed by 9 V.S.A. § 4467.
Sec. 7. 10 V.S.A. § 6237a is added to read:
(a) At least 18 months prior to the closure of a mobile home park or any mobile home lot that will result in the eviction of a resident or leaseholder or removal of a mobile home, a mobile home park owner shall give notice of the closure to each affected resident and leaseholder and to the commissioner by certified mail. Upon request, the commissioner may waive some or all of the 18-month notice period if the closure is necessary to assure the health, safety, or welfare of park residents. No evictions may be commenced during the 18‑month closure period except for nonpayment of rent or a substantial violation of the lease terms.
(b) Prior to issuing a closure notice pursuant to subsection (a), a mobile home park owner shall first provide all mobile home owners with a notice of intent to sell in accordance with section 6242. However, if the mobile home park owner sends each resident and leaseholder a notice of closure without first providing mobile home owners with a notice of sale under section 6242, then the mobile home park owner must retain ownership of the land for five years after the date the closure notice was issued. If required, notice of the five-year restriction shall be recorded by the park owner in the land records of the municipality in which the park is located. The park owner may apply to the commissioner for relief from the notice and holding period requirements of this section if the commissioner determines that strict compliance is likely to cause undue hardship to the mobile home park owner or the leaseholders, or both. Said relief shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(1) At least 45 days after giving notice of intent to sell; and
(2) If applicable, the commissioner has received notice from the mobile home owners and the park owner that negotiations have ended following the 90‑day negotiation period provided in subdivision 6242(c)(1) of this title.
(e) A mobile home park owner who closes a mobile home park and within five years of the issuance of the closure notice sells the land on which the park was located without complying with subsection b of this section shall be liable to the state in the aggregate amount of $10,000.00 or 50 percent of the gain realized by the park owner from the sale, whichever is greater, unless the commissioner has granted relief from strict compliance pursuant to subsection (b) of this section
(f) A mobile home park owner may bring an action for possession upon the expiration of the 18-month closure notice. The only defense to an action for possession in the case of a park closure is improper notice.
Sec. 8. 10 V.S.A. § 6238(a) and (b)(4) are amended to read:
(a) A prospective resident leaseholder or other person may not be charged an entrance fee for the privilege of leasing or occupying a mobile home lot. A reasonable charge for the fair value of services performed in placing a mobile home on a lot shall not be considered an entrance fee.
(4) A mobile home park owner who has collected a site improvement fee may not terminate the park or change the use of any site which has paid the fee without offering to sell the park to the leaseholders mobile home owners in accordance with the provisions of section 6242 of this title.
Sec. 9. 10 V.S.A. § 6239 is amended to read:
§ 6239. GOODS AND SERVICES
A mobile home resident leaseholder shall not be restricted in his or her choice of vendors from whom he or she may purchase goods and services. This section shall not be construed to prohibit a mobile home park owner or operator from contracting with any or all mobile home residents leaseholders for the sale, supply or distribution of goods and services, but such contract shall not be required as a condition of entrance to the mobile home park.
Sec. 10. 10 V.S.A. § 6240. SALE OF HOMES LOCATED IN PARKS
(a) Prior to selling a mobile home located in a mobile home park, the mobile home owner shall notify the park owner by certified or registered mail of the name and mailing address of the prospective purchaser. The seller may be held liable by the purchaser or prospective purchaser for failure to comply with this section.
(b) A purchaser or prospective purchaser of a mobile home located in a park shall not be refused entrance if except for the inability of the purchaser or his the purchaser’s household to meet the terms of the proposed lease or to qualify under lease terms a valid admission policy of the park. Upon approval for entrance into the mobile home park, the purchaser or prospective purchaser shall be offered a written lease pursuant to section 6236 of this title. If the purchaser or prospective purchaser does not notify the park owner in writing of any objections to the lease terms prior to occupancy of the mobile home park, they shall be deemed to have accepted the lease regardless of whether they signed and returned a copy of the lease to the park owner. The seller’s failure to provide the notice required in subsection (a) of this section shall not be grounds to deny the purchaser or prospective purchaser’s application.
Sec. 11. 10 V.S.A. § 6241(a) and (b) are amended to read:
(a) A park owner may enter a mobile home lot in the park with the tenant's resident’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(b) A park owner may also enter a mobile home lot in the park between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on no less than 12 hours' notice for any of the following purposes:
(4) To exhibit show the lot to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants residents, workers or contractors.
Sec. 12. 10 V.S.A. § 6242 is amended to read:
§ 6242. LEASEHOLDER'S MOBILE HOME OWNERS’ RIGHT TO NOTIFICATION PRIOR TO PARK SALE
(a) A park owner shall give to each leaseholder mobile home owner and to the commissioner of the department of housing and community affairs notice by certified mail of his or her intention to sell the mobile home park. For the purpose of this section, a leaseholder is the holder of a lease for a lot or a leasehold on which a mobile home owned by the leaseholder is sited. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the price at which the park owner offers the park for sale. The notice shall state all the following:
(1) that That the park owner intends to sell the park;.
(2) the The price, terms and conditions under which the park owner offers the park for sale;.
(3) a A list of the affected leaseholders mobile home owners and the number of leaseholds held by each;.
(4) the The status of compliance with applicable statutes, regulations and permits, to the park owner's best knowledge, and the reasons for any noncompliance; and.
(5) that That for 45 days following the notice the park owner shall not make a final unconditional acceptance of an offer to purchase the park and that if within the 45 days the park owner receives notice pursuant to subsection (c) of this section that a majority of the leaseholders mobile home owners intend to consider purchase of the park, the park owner shall not make a final unconditional acceptance of an offer to purchase the park for an additional 90 days, starting from the 46th day following notice, except one from a group representing a majority of the leaseholders mobile home owners or from a nonprofit corporation approved by a majority of the leaseholders mobile home owners.
(b) The leaseholders mobile home owners shall have 45 days following notice under subsection (a) of this section in which to determine whether they intend to consider purchase of the park through a group representing a majority of the leaseholders mobile home owners or a nonprofit corporation approved by a majority of the leaseholders mobile home owners. A majority of the leaseholders mobile home owners shall be determined by one vote per leasehold and no leaseholder mobile home owner shall have more than three votes or 30 percent of the aggregate park vote, whichever is less. During this 45-day period, the park owner shall not accept a final unconditional offer to purchase the park. A park owner shall not restrict representatives of the department from access to the park residents.
(c) If the park owner receives no notice from the leaseholders mobile home owners during the 45-day period or if the leaseholders mobile home owners notify the park owner that they do not intend to consider purchase of the park, the park owner has no further restrictions regarding sale of the park pursuant to this section. If during the 45-day period, the park owner receives notice in writing that a majority of the leaseholders mobile home owners intend to consider purchase of the park then the park owner shall do all the following:
(1) shall not Not accept a final unconditional offer to purchase from a party other than leaseholders for 90 days following the 45-day period, a total of 135 days following the notice from the leaseholders;.
(2) shall negotiate Negotiate in good faith with the group representing a majority of the mobile home owners or a nonprofit corporation approved by a majority of the mobile home owners concerning purchase of the park;.
(3) shall consider Consider any offer to purchase from a group representing a majority of the leaseholders mobile home owners or from a nonprofit corporation approved by a majority of the leaseholders mobile home owners.
(d) A park owner who sells a mobile home park without complying with this section shall be liable to the residents mobile home owners in the aggregate amount of $10,000.00 or 50 percent of the gain realized by the park owner from the sale, whichever is greater. A sale, an offer to sell, or an attempt to sell a mobile home park without complying with this section shall also be subject to the remedies of section 6205 of this title, including actual and punitive damages.
(e) The provisions of this section do not apply when the sale, transfer or conveyance of the mobile home park is any one or more of the following:
(1) through Through a foreclosure sale;.
(2) to To a member of the park owner's family or to a trust for the sole benefit of members of the park owner's family;
(3) among Among the partners who own the mobile home park;.
(4) incidental Incidental to financing the park;.
(5) between Between joint tenants or tenants in common;.
(6) pursuant Pursuant to eminent domain.
(f) No additional notice pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be required if the sale is in compliance with either of the following:
(1) The park owner completes a sale of the park within one year from the expiration of the 45-day period following the date of the notice, and the sale price is either of the following:
(A) No less than the price for which the park was offered for sale in the notice given pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or
(B) Substantially higher than the final written offer from a group representing a majority of the mobile home owners or a nonprofit corporation approved by a majority of the mobile home owners.
(2) The park owner has entered into a binding purchase and sale agreement with a group representing a majority of the mobile home owners or a nonprofit corporation approved by a majority of the mobile home owners with a closing date later than one year from the date of the notice.
(g) A majority of the leaseholders group representing a majority of the mobile home owners or a nonprofit corporation approved by a majority of the mobile home owners shall negotiate in good faith with the park owner for purchase of the park.
Sec. 13. 10 V.S.A. § 6244 is amended to read:
§ 6244. SECURITY DEPOSITS
(a) A security deposit is any advance, deposit or prepaid rent which is refundable to a mobile home resident leaseholder at the termination or expiration of the occupancy. A security deposit is to secure the resident's leaseholder’s obligation to pay rent and to maintain a rented mobile home or mobile home lot.
(b) The mobile home park owner may retain all or a portion of the security deposit for any of the following reasons:
(2) Damage to property of the park owner, unless the damage is the result of normal wear and tear or the result of actions or events beyond the control of the resident leaseholder.
(3) Nonpayment of utility or other charges which the resident leaseholder was required to pay directly to the park owner or to a utility.
(4) Expenses for removal of articles abandoned by the resident leaseholder, including personal property, the mobile home, rubbish and motor vehicles from the mobile home lot.
(c) A mobile home park owner shall return to the resident leaseholder the security deposit with a written statement itemizing any deductions within 14 days from the date on which the resident leaseholder:
(3) has been removed from the park pursuant to a writ of possession.
(d) The mobile home park owner shall comply with this section by hand-delivering or mailing the statement and any payment required to the last known address of the resident leaseholder .
(e) If a park owner fails to return the security deposit with a statement within 14 days, the mobile home park owner forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the security deposit. If the failure is wilful, the mobile home park owner shall be liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees and costs.
(f) Upon termination of the mobile home park owner's interest in the park, the security deposit shall be transferred to the new owner. The new owner shall give the resident leaseholder actual notice of the new owner's name and address with a statement that the security deposit has been transferred to the new owner.
(g) A town or municipality may adopt an ordinance governing security deposits on mobile homes or mobile home lots. The ordinance shall be supplemental to and not inconsistent with the minimum protections of the provisions of this section. The ordinance may not limit how a security deposit is held. The ordinance may authorize the payment of interest on a security deposit. The ordinance may provide that a housing board of review constituted pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 5005 may hear and decide disputes related to security deposits upon request for a hearing by a mobile home park owner or resident leaseholder. The board's actions shall be reviewable under 24 V.S.A. § 5006.
Sec. 14. 10 V.S.A. § 6245 is amended to read:
§ 6245. ILLEGAL EVICTIONS
(a) No park owner may wilfully cause, directly or indirectly, the interruption or termination of any utility service to a mobile home, except for temporary interruptions for necessary repairs.
(b) No park owner may directly or indirectly deny a leaseholder access to and possession of the leaseholder’s rented or leased premises, except through proper judicial process.
(c) No park owner may directly or indirectly deny a resident leaseholder access to and possession of the resident's leaseholder’s property, except through proper judicial process.
Sec. 15. 10 V.S.A. § 6246(a) is amended to read:
(a) Any resident leaseholder who sustains damage or injury as a result of an illegal eviction, as defined in section 6245 of this title, may bring an action for injunctive relief, damages, costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Sec. 16. 10 V.S.A. § 6247(a) is amended to read:
(a) A mobile home park owner may not retaliate by establishing any of the following:
(1) Establishing or changing terms of a rental agreement or by.
(2) bringing Bringing or threatening to bring an action against a resident or leaseholder who has done any of the following:
(1) has complained (A) Complained in writing to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building, housing or health regulation of a violation applicable to the premises materially affecting health and safety;.
(2) has complained (B) Complained in writing to the park owner of a violation of this chapter; or.
(3) has organized (C) Organized or become a member of a resident’s association or similar organization.
Sec. 17. 10 V.S.A. §6252(a) is amended to read:
(a) If the percentage of a proposed lot rent increase is more than one percentage point above the U.S. Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers, Housing Component, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in the periodical "Monthly Labor Review and Handbook of Labor Statistics" as established annually by the department, and if, within 15 business days after receipt by the commissioner of the notice required pursuant to subsection 6251(a) of this title, a majority of the affected leaseholders of the occupied leased lots files with the commissioner and the park owner a written petition that includes the name of the person who will act as the representative of the leaseholders and a statement that they dispute the proposed lot rent increase, the commissioner shall send a list of qualified professional mediators compiled by the department in cooperation with park owners and leaseholders to the park owner and to the leaseholders' representative. Within five business days of receipt of the list, the park owner and the leaseholders' representative shall agree on a mediator from the list provided by the commissioner and notify the commissioner of the name, address and telephone number of the mediator selected, accompanied by the mediator's agreement to conduct the mediation. If the commissioner has not been notified of a mediator as required by this subsection, the commissioner shall appoint a mediator from the department's list. The mediator may not have any interest, direct or indirect, in the mobile home park at issue and shall disclose to the park owner, the leaseholders and the commissioner, any experience as a mobile home park owner, resident or leaseholder, or any other circumstance that may create a real or perceived conflict of interest. The department shall pay the reasonable fees for professional mediation services based on a schedule established by rule of the department.
Sec. 18. 10 V.S.A. §6253(a) is amended to read:
(a) If the parties are unable to resolve the disputed proposed lot rent increase pursuant to the process provided in section 6252 of this title, an action for abatement of some or all of the proposed lot rent increase based on a claim that the increase is clearly excessive may be initiated by a majority of the affected mobile home park leaseholders by filing a complaint in the superior court in the county in which the mobile home park is located within 30 days after the effective date of the proposed lot rent increase.
Sec. 19. 10 V.S.A. §6254 is amended to read:
§ 6254. REGISTRATION OF MOBILE HOME PARKS; REPORT
(a) No later than September 1 and every three years thereafter on September 1, each year each mobile home park owner shall register with the department on a form provided by the department. The form shall include the following information:
(9) The services provided to the mobile home park residents leaseholders for payment of lot rent.
(10) Additional charges for services paid by residents leaseholders in addition to lot rent.
(c) The department may charge a mobile home park owner an annual fee of no more than $9.00 for each occupied leased lot in the park on September 1 of each year. The mobile home park owner may charge this fee to the affected mobile home park residents leaseholders. The fee shall be submitted to the department with the registration form required in subsection (a) of this section. If a mobile home park owner charges the fee under this subsection to the mobile home park residents, the fee shall not be deemed to be a lot rent increase and shall not be included in any calculation of a lot rent increase pursuant to section 6251 of this title. A mobile home park owner shall not be charged the fee under this subsection for any mobile home park in which all the mobile homes are owned by the mobile home park owner. The commissioner may enforce filing of the registration form and payment of the fee under subsection 6205(a) of this title. A special fund shall be created for these fees, to be used by the department of housing and community affairs for its expenses in administering the laws regarding mobile home parks, and to pay any fees required in the mediation process pursuant to section 6252 of this title and for legal representation for leaseholders pursuant to section 6253 of this title. This special fund shall be managed in accordance with subchapter 5 of chapter 7 of Title 32.
Sec. 20. 10 V.S.A. §6262(c) is amended to read:
(c) No rental agreement shall contain any provision by which the resident leaseholder waives the protections of the implied warranty of habitability. Any such waiver shall be deemed contrary to public policy and shall be unenforceable and void.
Sec. 21. 10 V.S.A. §6263 is amended to read:
§ 6263. HABITABILITY; TENANT LEASEHOLDER REMEDIES
(a) If the mobile home park owner fails to comply with the obligation of habitability, the park owner shall be deemed to have notice of the noncompliance if the park owner receives actual notice of the noncompliance from the resident leaseholder, a governmental entity or a qualified independent inspector. If the park owner has received notice from any of those sources and fails to make repairs within a reasonable time and the noncompliance materially affects health and safety, the resident leaseholder may pursue any of the following remedies:
(b) The remedies under this section are not available to a resident leaseholder if the noncompliance was caused by the negligent or deliberate act or omission of the resident leaseholder or of a person on the premises with the resident's leaseholder’s consent.
Sec. 22. 10 V.S.A. §6264 is amended to read:
§ 6264. MINOR DEFECTS; REPAIR AND DEDUCT
(a) If the park owner fails to repair a minor defect or noncompliance with this chapter or noncompliance with a material provision of the rental agreement within 30 days of receipt of written notice, the resident leaseholder may repair the defect or noncompliance and deduct from the rent the actual and reasonable cost, not to exceed one-half of one month's lot rent. No major work on water, sewer, or electrical systems may be performed under this section. The resident leaseholder shall provide the owner with written notice of the cost of the repair or service when the cost is deducted from the rent. The resident leaseholder shall be responsible for any damage caused by the repair or attempts to repair.
(b) The remedies under this section are not available to a resident leaseholder if the noncompliance was caused by the negligent or deliberate act or omission of the resident leaseholder or a person on the premises with the resident's leaseholder’s consent.
Sec. 23. 10 V.S.A. § 6265 is amended to read:
(a) The owner of a lot or rented mobile home which that is condemned by a governmental agency due to the wilful failure or refusal of the owner to comply with any obligations imposed by law shall provide for reasonable relocation costs of affected leaseholders and residents, except when the owner can demonstrate that he or she has no financial capacity to comply. The affected leaseholders and residents shall have the right to recover the reasonable costs of relocation, including court costs and reasonable attorney fees. The agency of natural resources shall grant to the owner in a timely fashion all permits necessary to correct violations under this subchapter.
(b) The commissioner may require a mobile home park owner who commences a closure of a mobile home park pursuant to section 6237a of this title within one year of receiving notice of a violation from a state or municipal enforcement official concerning health, safety, or environmental laws or of section 6262 of this title to pay reasonable relocation costs not to exceed $3,500 to each affected leaseholder. The Commissioner may require the payment of relocation costs under this subsection except when the park owner can demonstrate that he or she has no financial capacity to comply.
(For House amendments, see House Journal for March 21, 2007, page 378.)
Reported favorably with recommendation of proposal of amendment by Senator Illuzzi for the Committee on Government Operations.
(b) The books and accounts financial statements of the corporation shall be audited annually as of June 30 under the supervision of the auditor of accounts who shall publish the audit report in detail by an independent public accounting firm according to the requirements of the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO). The auditor of accounts or his or her designee shall be the state’s nonvoting representative on an audit committee established by the board.
(a) The books and accounts of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College shall be audited annually as of June 30, under the supervision of the auditor of accounts. The report of such audit shall be published in detail by the auditor of accounts by an independent accounting firm registered in the state of Vermont. The auditor of accounts or his or her designee shall be the state’s nonvoting representative on an audit committee established by the board.
(f) Control of funds appropriated and of the work carried on under the terms of section 2321 of this title shall be vested in the board of trustees of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College. The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College shall provide an accounting service which shall account for the expenditure of funds by divisions and shall make an annual financial report to the governor of the state. All funds appropriated to the agricultural college shall be kept in a separate account and shall be audited annually by the auditor of accounts an independent accounting firm registered in the state of Vermont.
Control of funds appropriated and all procedures incident to the carrying out of the purposes of this chapter shall be vested in the board. The books of account of the corporation shall be audited annually under the direction of the auditor of accounts by an independent public accounting firm registered in the state of Vermont and a the resulting audit report filed with the secretary of administration not later than November 1 each year. The auditor of accounts or his or her designee shall be the state’s nonvoting representative on an audit committee established by the board. Biennially, the board shall report to the legislature on its activities during the preceding biennium.
(1) Examine annually the financial statements of the funds of state government and at his or her discretion audit financial and other records Annually perform or contract for the audit of the basic financial statements of the state and, at his or her discretion, conduct governmental audits as defined by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), of every department, institution, and agency of the state including trustees or custodians of retirement and other trust funds held by the state or any officer or officers of the state, and also including every county officer who receives or disburses funds of the state or for the benefit of the state or any county. He or she shall upon request of a town establish a uniform system of accounting and reporting.
AN ACT RELATING TO MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS TO ELECTION AND GOVERNMENT LAWS.
(For House amendments, see House Journal for March 19, 2008, page 635; March 20, 2008, page 650.)
The Committee recommends that the proposal of amendment of the Committee on Health and Welfare be amended by striking out Sec. 20 in its entirety.
(For House amendments, see House Journal for March 21. 2008, page 656; March 25, 2008, page 739.)
(For House amendments, see House Journal for February 28, 2008, page 411.)
First: In Sec. 1, in 2 V.S.A. § 505(b), by adding before the final period the following:
. This calculation may serve as an additional indicator of wage and other economic conditions in the state and shall not be considered official state guidance on wages or other forms of compensation.
Second: In Sec. 2, by striking out subsection (b) and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
(C) The agency of human services planning division.
Third: In Sec. 2, by striking out subsection (d) in its entirety.
(For House amendments, see House Journal for March 18, 2008, page 597.)
(Third day on Notice Calendar pursuant to Rule 77)
Subject: General assembly; organizational session.
The Committee recommends that the proposal be amended by striking out the proposal in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
On the first Wednesday in December following each general election, the General Assembly shall meet for one day for an organizational session for the exclusive purposes of organizing, swearing in members, and selecting officers.
You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you did not at the time of your election to this body, and that you do not now, hold any office of profit or trust under the authority of Congress. So help you God. (Or in case of an affirmation) Under the pains and penalties of perjury. The words “office of profit or trust under the authority of Congress” shall be construed to mean any office created directly or indirectly by Congress, and for which emolument is provided from the Treasury of the United States, other than that of a member of the commissioned or enlisted personnel in the reserve components of the armed forces of the United States while not on extended active duty.
(Second day on Notice Calendar pursuant to Rule 77)
Subject: Elections; Voter’s oath; self-administration.
136. Management of Stormwater Impaired Waters Annual Report. (Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation). (April 2008).
JFO #2323 –– $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the Department of Education. These grant funds will be used to provide fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to students at 25 schools. [JFO received 04/09/08]