TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBS12) — In a move to empower homeowners and enhance transparency, State Representative Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) has unveiled House Bill 657, legislation aimed at overhauling the governance of community associations in Florida.
According to the 32-page document, House Bill 657 focuses on increasing transparency, accountability, and fairness in community governance.
One of the significant changes it proposes is the removal of required mediation before lawsuits can be filed against community associations. Instead, associations will need to include specific statements in their governing documents. If they fail to do so, they must hold a meeting to vote on amendments.
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The bill also gives homeowners more power by allowing them to petition for changes if they’re unhappy with their associations. One notable provision allows homeowners’ associations (HOAs) to be terminated under certain conditions, requiring approved plans to be documented and recorded.
Porras emphasized that this legislation is designed to “put homeowners first” by creating a fairer and more transparent system to tackle ongoing issues faced in community governance.
The proposed bill includes measures for creating a community association court program, which will oversee disputes and ensure that associations follow the new guidelines. It also outlines how assets and debts will be managed if an association is terminated.
The bill was filed on December 4 and is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
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