The Legislature approved HB48, sponsored by Rep. Phil Riesen, D-Holladay, that would give vulnerable mobile-home owners added protection when the parks where they live get sold and change use.

Instead of 90 days' notice to relocate, residents now would get nine months, along with the guarantee that lot rents would not increase during that period.

Lawmakers also embraced a resolution recognizing mobile homes as important parts of the state's affordable-housing menu.

Carried by Rep. Neal Hendrickson, D-West Valley City, the measure also would encourage municipalities and counties to include mobile-home parks in land-use planning.

Both measures come after a series of park shutdowns forced out scores of residents.

Mobile-home advocates have labored for years to gain ground in this battle of homeowner rights vs. landowner rights.

- Cathy McKitrick