H.R. 5263: To require approval from the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for any Federal manufactured home and safety standards, and for other purposes.

This bill proposes to amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 by changing the process through which federal standards for manufactured home construction and safety are set.

Key Changes Proposed

• Authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would gain primary authority to establish federal standards for manufactured homes. This means any new rules about how manufactured homes should be built and what safety measures should be included would primarily come from HUD.
• Approval Process for New Standards: Any federal agency looking to create a new manufactured home construction or safety standard after the bill is enacted would have to submit a proposal to the Secretary of HUD. They cannot put the new standard into effect without receiving approval from the Secretary.
• Rejection Criteria: The bill includes specific criteria under which the Secretary could reject proposed standards. These criteria are:
  • The proposed standard would significantly increase the cost of producing manufactured homes.
  • The proposed standard conflicts with existing standards set by the Secretary.
  • Any other reasons that the Secretary finds appropriate.

Additional Details

The bill does not require the Secretary to create new standards or revise existing ones. This means that while the Secretary can review and approve or reject proposals for new standards, there is no obligation to actively change the current standards.

Impact on Manufactured Homes

The proposed changes aim to streamline the process of setting safety and construction standards for manufactured homes, ideally balancing safety, energy efficiency, and cost considerations. This may impact manufacturers, consumers, and the overall market for manufactured homes.

Relevant Companies

• MBII (Magic Biofuel, Inc.) - This company produces technology related to manufactured homes, and changes in safety standards could impact their business operations and offerings.
• THO (Thor Industries, Inc.) - As a significant manufacturer of recreational vehicles and trailers, revisions to construction standards could affect their compliance costs and manufacturing processes.