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2022 Florida Legislature Preliminary End of Session Report

2022 Florida Legislature Preliminary End of Session Report

March 29, 2022

This past March, Florida lawmakers concluded the 2022 Florida Legislature Session. Find a preliminary report of the session below, as summarized by CAI. For more information, please contact Castle Group at info@castlegroup.com.

FLORIDA LAWMAKERS FAIL TO REACH AGREEMENT ON CONDOMINIUM SAFETY BILL

The Florida lawmakers will consider the Florida state budget, but no other legislation as their session adjourns.  Here is a preliminary report of the 2022 Florida legislative session.  The CAI Florida Legislative Alliance worked tirelessly prior to and during the session to advocate for sensible public policy for CAI members and Florida community associations.  Next time you see these CAI-FLA volunteers, please thank them for the hundreds of hours they spend volunteering their time to advocate for strong public policy for Florida communities.

 

CONDO SAFETY LEGISLATION – FAILED

Members of the Florida legislature did not reach an agreement on legislation that would require building inspections and mandatory reserve studies for certain condominium and cooperative communities prior to this session’s adjournment, despite the tireless efforts from Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Orange Park) and Rep. Daniel Perez (R-Miami) as well as CAI advocates to pass legislation that would contribute to condominium safety after the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Fla., last June.

Condominium safety is CAI’s top priority this legislative session.   Our advocates will continue efforts and support sensible laws that benefit an estimated 9.6 million Floridians living in 48,500 community associations. There may be as many as 20,000 condominium buildings impacted by this legislation and many owners or residents of those buildings may be unaware of building conditions that require immediate attention. (Estimates from the American Communities Survey.

“While CAI is disappointed that condominium safety legislation didn’t pass in Florida, we certainly appreciate the complicated nature of these legislative proposals,” says Dawn M. Bauman, CAE, CAI’s senior vice president of government and public affairs. “CAI applauds the efforts of Sen. Bradley and Rep. Perez to develop legislation that attempted to balance condominium safety without imposing regulations that create undue and unanticipated financial burdens and compliance concerns.”

CAI’s Florida Legislative Alliance began working with state legislators after the condominium collapse in Surfside in June 2021 to provide support, research, subject-matter expertise, and public policy recommendations. We remain committed to condominium safety and to working with legislators in Florida and around the country to pass legislation that will result in safe and well-maintained condominiums with properly funded budgets.

 

SUPPORT FOR SURFSIDE VICTIMS AND FAMILIES  -PASSED

As part of the property tax relief package, Champlain Towers South survivors and family members will benefit from tax relief legislation that passed.

In addition, legislation passed that will fund a memorial for the victims of the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida,

 

CONSTRUCTION WARRANTY FOR COMMUNITY ASSOCATIONS – FAILED

CAI opposed this legislation.  SB 736/HB 583 created impractical and impossible obstacles for community association claimants that will, in some cases, eliminate the opportunity to address legitimate defect issues. Further, it would have increased costs to home/property owners, delay resolution of disputes, and intensify the legal/litigation process rather than get the repairs needed to ensure safety and quality. This legislation would have impacted seniors living in active adult communities throughout the state of Florida and homeowners in affordable townhomes and garden style condominiums.    CAI advocated strongly to oppose this legislation and we are pleased the bill failed.

 

Ombudsman–FAILED

CAI opposed this legislation. CAI helped create the condominium ombudsman by working with all stakeholders and creating a fair and equitable program. This proposal adds additional burdensome layers to HOA administration by mandating the creation of an Appeals Committee to go along with the currently required Fining Committee, dilutes the already stretched condo arbitration program by adding HOAs into the mix, adds this new state government program with money out of General Revenue while still requiring condo residents to pay for their ombudsman and the entire arbitration program out of their annual $4 a door fee.

 

Fines Levied by Association – FAILED

CAI opposed this legislation. Guardrails currently exist for fining for violations such as setting statutory limits, requiring the creation of a Fining Committee separate from the HOA board, etc. Fines are a invaluable tool that HOAs use to assure with compliance of the community and resident agreed to rules. CAI advocated strongly to oppose this legislation and we are pleased the bill failed.

 

Florida Contact Information

 

Your Assistance is Needed

Expenses incurred by the LAC are paid for with donations and by Advocacy Fund fees. Corporate contributions are allowed and appreciated. Most community association boards can legally allocate money to support the FL LAC. Please visit www.caionline.org/lacdonate/ and donate to “Florida” to support our continued efforts.


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