TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida House approved a measure Thursday that supporters say would limit authority of homeowners associations.
What You Need To Know
The Florida House passed a bill to limit homeowners association authority
The bill aims to reduce red tape and streamline dispute resolution with a new state-run court
Critics worry about the potential burden on local governments
Companion legislation in the Florida Senate faces long odds, according to the bill’s sponsor
The bill aims to mow down red tape and trim back HOA authority.
“An HOA board president today is more powerful than a Florida state representative, maybe even a Florida congressman, because of the total autonomy that they have in their in their communities,” said State Rep. Juan Porras, R-Miami, the bill sponsor.
The bill proposes moving disputes to a new state-run court focused on HOA issues.
“We have hundreds, if not thousands of homeowners that have absolutely no recourse for unnecessary fines or liens for people that are losing their homes,” Porras added.
The bill also allows residents to petition for the dissolution of their HOA, requiring a supermajority vote.
Critics fear dissolution could burden local governments.
“I think the problem in Tallahassee is that we legislate based on a couple bad actors,” said Democratic St. Petersburg State Rep. Lindsay Cross. “I think it could end up being an unfunded mandate for some of these governments.”
According to state analysts, nearly half of Florida’s population is governed by an HOA.
The Florida Senate would have to pass a companion bill in order for the legislation to head to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The bill’s sponsor in the Senate says it faces long odds.