A bill that would regulate the way that mobile home parks are sold or closed narrowly passed its first hurdle Monday when the House Workforce Services Committee approved it on a 4-3 vote.

Rep. Phil Riesen, D-Salt Lake, the sponsor of HB48, said it protects mobile home owners and the property rights of mobile home park owners. The substitute and amended version of the bill approved Monday requires a nine month notification to mobile home owners before their lease can be terminated and prohibits rent increases during that time. It also prevents local governments from passing ordinances to close the parks.

The bill was a compromise that received overwhelming support from representatives of mobile park owners, mobile home owners, and cities. It now moves to the House floor.

Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn H. Cullimore Jr. recounted his city's own experience closing a 156 home mobile park as a reason why the legislation was needed.