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Review of New Legislation Continues – Part 3

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Today’s column is the third installment of our annual review of community association legislation. In the first two installments, we covered the requirements for “estoppel certificates.” Today, we will look at House Bill 1237, which contains some significant changes. HB 1237 only applies to condominium associations.

Term Limits: A board member may not serve more than four consecutive 2-year terms, unless approved by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total voting interests of the association or unless there are not enough eligible candidates to fill the vacancies on the board at the time of the vacancy.

Debit Cards: An association and its officers, directors, employees, and agents may not use a debit card issued in the name of the association, or billed directly to the association, for the payment of any association expense.

Suspension of Voting Rights: Voting rights may only be suspended if the delinquent amount is more than $1,000 and more than 90 days delinquent. Proof of such monetary obligation must be provided to the unit owner or member 30 days before such suspension can take effect.

Official Records/Websites: The renter of a unit now has the right to inspect and copy the association’s bylaws and rules. By July 1, 2018, an association with 150 or more units shall post digital copies of some of its official records on its website. Websites must be operational on or before July 1, 2018.

Recalls: The statute no longer requires the Board to “certify” or “not certify” the recall, but still appears to permit the Board to file a petition for recall arbitration challenging the recall. The statute still requires the Board to hold a meeting within 5 full business days after receipt of a written recall agreement (or within 5 full business days after adjournment of a recall meeting).

Criminal Penalties: An officer, director, or manager may not solicit, offer to accept, or accept any thing or service of value or kickback for which consideration has not been provided for his or her own benefit or that of his or her immediate family. If this provision is violated, it could result in criminal penalties. Forgery of a ballot envelope or voting certificate used in an election is punishable as a crime. The theft or embezzlement of funds of a condominium association is punishable as a crime. The destruction of or the refusal to allow inspection or copying of an official record in furtherance of any crime is punishable as tampering with physical evidence or as obstruction of justice. An officer or director charged with a related crime must be removed from office.

Financial Reports: Associations with fewer than 50 units must now prepare a financial statement based on its total annual revenues (not just a report of cash receipts and expenditures). A unit owner may provide written notice to the division of the association’s failure to deliver a copy of the most recent financial report within 5 business days after submission of a written request to the association for a copy of such report. An association that fails to comply with the procedures set forth in the statute may not waive the financial reporting requirement provided in the statute.

Associations must provide an annual report to the Department of Business and Professional Realtors containing the names of all of the financial institutions with which it maintains accounts. A copy of such report may be obtained from the Department upon written request of any association member.

Next week we will continue our review of new laws for 2017, including significant charges to conflict of interest rules contained in the HB 1237.

Joe Adams is an attorney with Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., Fort Myers. Send questions to Joe Adams by e-mail to jadams@bplegal.com. Past editions may be viewed at floridacondohoalawblog.com

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10 Comments
  • Linda
    July 17, 2017

    HB 1237 only applies to condominium associations.

    Why would they apply these changes to condo assoc. but not to HOA’s?

    • Jason
      July 18, 2017

      I wonder about this too!

  • Sam Cory
    July 17, 2017

    Does the new term limits begin this year or does it apply to a person who has been in office in past years that total more than the 8 year limit

    • matt
      July 20, 2017

      that was my question as well.

  • Dave
    July 21, 2017

    The President, of my COA has been a Board of Directors member since 2006, serving more than four consecutive 2-year terms. This member has not yet resigned. A BOD meeting was held on July 14, 2017. At this meeting, The BOD Lawyer stated that this bill was not retroactive, allowing this board member to finish a two-year term ending in April 2019. There was not an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total voting interests of the association and there is an eligible candidate to fill the vacancy on the board from an April, 2017 BOD held election

  • Penny Colclesser
    July 24, 2017

    I think that Condo Associations should not put their Reserve Funds in a Credit Union, because the board members are considered the co-owners of the funds. Even one board member can move the money at the Credit Union, I have been told.

  • Alex Harvey
    July 25, 2017

    Went to the TB bank that has our Condominium Accounts to turn in my debit card. Bank manager stated that as the card has my name on it we can continue to use the debit card even though the Condo’s legal name is also on it. I’m confused.

  • Thomas Anthony Gniech
    July 28, 2017

    Does the law require review if the financial statement by an accountant or CPA? Also is an annual financial statement adequate for a condo association?

  • Barbara Billiot Stage
    July 31, 2017

    It appears the recall statute has removed the option to rescind votes. It states review will be limited to validity of service and facially valid ballots.

  • Kay angle
    August 2, 2017

    We have a older lady who stole blank ballots and filled them out right in front of the entire meeting we questioned it with the management company owner and the property manager which is on record with a month of the election and we’re told it was not against the law, we questioned the attorney and found it is against Florida condo law you cannot proxy board vote this has been a couple of years ago but it is in file we asked the question and were given wrong information can we go back on this board member?