ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2823

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 11, 1997

      The Assembly Transportation and Communications Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2823 with committee amendments.

      As amended by the committee, this bill would allow, under a special permit issued by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a house type semitrailer or trailer carrying a manufactured home with a width not exceeding 16 feet to be transported on a transportation trailer system that conforms to the "Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards" promulgated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provided that the operator otherwise complies with the provisions of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes and the rules and regulations issued thereunder. The bill also authorizes the director to issue registration certificates and registration plates for mobile and manufactured homes being transported.

      Current DMV regulations provide that a house type semitrailer or trailer with a load whose width is greater than 14 feet must be transported on a commercial low-bed trailer, semitrailer or properly registered dolly wheels. HUD regulations specify that the manufactured home transportation trailer system is designed and constructed as an integrated, balanced and durable unit which is safe and suitable for its specified use during the intended life of the manufactured home. A manufactured home transportation trailer system must effectively respond to the braking system controls of the towing vehicle in terms of tracking ability and speed of the vehicle under normal highway traffic conditions.

      Under this bill, house type semitrailers or trailers with load widths in excess of 16 feet would be required to be transported on commercial type low-bed trailers, semitrailers or properly registered dolly wheels under such permits.

      This revision of the special permit width limitations is necessary to address changes in the manufactured home industry. To meet the need for larger affordable homes, the industry has designed and constructed wider, multi-section units which are wider than 14 feet. The current 14 feet width limit makes it difficult to transport these new units on top of commercial type low-bed trailers, semitrailers or properly registered dolly wheels.

      The committee amended the bill to provide specific authority for the director to issue registration certificates and registration plates for mobile and manufactured homes being transported.