(a) After January 1, 1976, it shall be unlawful for any person to install, allow to be installed, occupy, or allow to be occupied any new or used manufactured home or manufactured building unless the home or building is tied down to properly installed ground anchors so as to be able to resist wind loads as specified in the rules and regulations adopted by the commission. The Counties of Mobile and Baldwin are designated as hurricane wind zones. All installers of manufactured homes and manufactured buildings must be certified by the commission to install such structures.

(b) Any manufactured home or manufactured building sold after January 1, 1976, shall comply with the requirements of subsection (a) immediately upon location on the new site. Any existing manufactured home or manufactured building relocated to a new site after January 1, 1976, shall comply with the code requirements of subsection (a) immediately upon location on the new site.

(c) The commission shall promulgate rules and regulations setting forth uniform standards for the manufacture and installation of ground anchors and blocking to be compatible with ANSI A 119.1/NFPA 501B, in order to accomplish the intent of this section. Local building inspectors shall, when required by local jurisdiction, enforce rules and regulations promulgated by the commission to accomplish the intent of this section.

(d) Prior to adoption of the initial rules and regulations and in the event it becomes necessary to make changes in or additions to the rules and regulations adopted in subsection (a), the commission, at least 30 days prior to adopting or promulgating any such rules and regulations or changes or additions, shall mail to all manufacturers and service organizations doing business in Alabama and to the Alabama Manufactured Housing Institute a notice which shall include a copy of the rules and regulations or additions and changes thereto, and a designation of the time and place that the commission will hear and consider any objections to the proposed rules and regulations or additions and changes thereto. The commission shall afford any interested party an opportunity to be heard orally or in writing with respect to the proposed rules and regulations or additions and changes thereto. Sixty days after date of notice and hearing, any rules and regulations or changes and additions thereto shall become effective.

(e) This section shall not apply to any mobile home which is in transit between sites.

(f) The commission shall establish by rule a schedule of fees to pay for the administration of this article.