SB 398: HOUSING: Provides relative to the regulation of manufactured housing. (1/1/27) (EN +$40,000 SG RV See Note) - Louisiana

Senate Floor Bureau Note, #2814, Foil, Adopted → SB398 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and enacted as Act No. 765, replacing the draft Senate floor amendments with the official statutory text. The core policy change involves updating the legal definition of a 'contractor' to replace the term 'residential contractor' with 'dealer' in specific sections, while simultaneously expanding the scope of who must be licensed to include commercial projects, mold remediation, and general construction work with specific dollar thresholds.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from focusing primarily on 'residential contractors' to a broader category of 'dealers' and 'contractors' covering commercial, residential, and mold remediation projects, effectively widening the range of construction activities subject to state licensing and regulation.

DEFINITION

The term 'residential contractor' was systematically replaced with 'dealer' throughout the statute to align terminology with the new regulatory framework.

New specific monetary thresholds were established, such as $50,000 for commercial projects and $7,500 for residential repairs and mold remediation, to determine licensing requirements.

SCOPE

The definition of 'contractor' was expanded to explicitly include commercial construction projects, mold remediation, and general repairs, broadening the activities requiring a license.

REQUIREMENT

The bill formally enacted new chapters and parts into the Louisiana Revised Statutes to create a comprehensive regulatory structure for factory-built housing and residential contractors.

SB398 Original → Senate Floor Bureau Note, #2814, Foil, Adopted · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to replace the term 'residential contractor' with 'dealer' throughout the text, standardizing terminology for those selling manufactured homes. Additionally, the bill now explicitly references federal law (42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.) and includes a specific venue provision for legal suits. These changes clarify the legal definitions and jurisdiction for enforcement.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's terminology was narrowed and standardized by replacing 'residential contractor' with 'dealer' to align with industry standards and federal definitions.

DEFINITION

Replaced the term 'residential contractor' with 'dealer' in multiple sections to standardize the language used for individuals selling manufactured homes.

Added a specific reference to the federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act (42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.) to the definition of the 'Code' for manufactured housing.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new subsection specifying that legal suits under this section must be filed in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court.

SB398 Enrolled → SB398 Original · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly simplified and streamlined by removing extensive text regarding the Uniform Standards Code, municipal enforcement powers, and the Residential Contractors Subcommittee. The scope of the bill was narrowed to focus exclusively on amending specific statutes related to factory-built housing and modular housing standards, while deleting references to broader construction codes and repealed laws.

Scope change

The bill's scope was reduced from a comprehensive overhaul of manufactured housing regulations and municipal enforcement to a focused amendment of specific state statutes governing factory-built and modular housing standards.

SCOPE

Deleted provisions establishing the Residential Contractors Subcommittee, which was previously intended to oversee residential contracting matters.

Condensed the bill's purpose statement to focus only on amending R.S. 37:2155(A) and R.S. 40:1730(18) and enacting specific parts of Chapter 24, rather than a broad list of repealed and reenacted statutes.

REQUIREMENT

Removed language requiring municipalities, parishes, and the fire marshal to enforce building codes for manufactured and modular homes.

DEFINITION

Eliminated detailed definitions related to the Uniform Standards Code, commercial projects, and various construction classifications.

TECHNICAL

Deleted references to repealed statutes (R.S. 51:911.21 through 912.53) and the Residential Contractors Subcommittee Manufactured Housing Dedicated Fund Account.

SB398 Reengrossed → SB398 Enrolled · 4 edits · May 28, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and enrolled, changing its status from a draft to an official version ready for the governor's signature. The most significant substantive change is the expansion of the regulated scope for contractors, which now includes new residential structures with a project value of $50,000 or more and improvements to existing homes valued at $7,500 or more. Additionally, a new definition for 'electrical contractor' was added to cover projects involving wiring and fixtures valued at $10,000 or more.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include specific monetary thresholds for residential construction and improvements that were not explicitly detailed in the previous version, thereby broadening the number of projects subject to licensing and regulation.

SCOPE

Added a threshold of $50,000 for new residential structures to be included under the contractor definition.

Added a threshold of $7,500 for improvements or repairs to existing residential structures.

DEFINITION

Introduced a new definition for 'electrical contractor' covering wiring, fixtures, and appliances with a project value of $10,000 or more.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and page count to reflect its final enrolled status.

SB398 Engrossed → SB398 Reengrossed · 4 edits · Apr 28, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to correct a minor typo in the repealed statutes list and to fix a repetitive phrasing error in the operative clause. Additionally, the definition of 'Contractor' was expanded to explicitly include hazardous materials work regardless of project value and to clarify that employees assembling proprietary equipment are not considered contractors.

Scope change

The scope of the 'Contractor' definition was broadened to include hazardous materials projects of any value and clarified exclusions for proprietary equipment assembly.

DEFINITION

Corrected a typo in the repealed statute list by adding a decimal point to '912.1'.

Removed the accidental repetition of the word 'are hereby' in the clause enacting the new text.

Added a new subsection stating that contractors holding hazardous materials licenses are defined for projects of any value ($1 or more).

Clarified that employees who assemble, repair, or maintain proprietary equipment supplied by a manufacturer are not considered contractors.

HOUSING: Provides relative to the regulation of manufactured housing. (1/1/27) (EN +$40,000 SG RV See Note)

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