{"id":159595,"date":"2026-02-18T10:30:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T10:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/159595\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T10:30:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T10:30:07","slug":"new-florida-bill-opens-door-to-eliminating-hoas-across-the-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/159595\/","title":{"rendered":"New Florida bill opens door to eliminating HOAs across the state"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2013 After a state lawmaker brought up eliminating HOAs<\/a> last year, a new Florida bill would allow residents to do exactly that.<\/p>\n

The bill \u2014 HB 657<\/a> \u2014 was filed back in December by state Rep. Juan Porras (R-Miami), who blasted HOAs as a \u201cfailed experiment.\u201d <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8 NEW HOA LEGISLATION: Floridians have been asking for real HOA reform, and we\u2019re delivering. <\/p>\n

HB 657 creates a transparent, fair, and efficient Community Association Court system that protects homeowners and allows for the people to decide if they want to continue living in an\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/tm7u75JQz2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Juan C. Porras (@JuanPorrasFL) December 8, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

Porras\u2019 latest proposal introduces several rules pointed at HOAs and community associations (COAs), including the following:<\/p>\n

Getting rid of presuit mediation requirements for COAs<\/p>\n

Creating a new Community Association Court Program in circuit courts to better handle disputes<\/p>\n

Requiring new COAs (those created on or after July 1, 2026) to include the following statement in their governing documents:<\/p>\n

\u201cThis association and the association\u2019s governing documents are governed by the Florida Condominium Act, as amended from time to time.\u201d<\/p>\n

House Bill 657<\/p>\n

Requiring other COAs (those created before July 1, 2026) to hold a meeting on whether to include that statement in their own governing documents<\/p>\n

But one of the more prominent changes included in this bill is a process by which HOAs may finally be dissolved.<\/p>\n

HB 657, if approved, allows for this dissolution under select situations.<\/p>\n

[BELOW: Flagpole sparks lawsuit between Volusia County HOA and homeowner]<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is in the best interest of this state to provide for termination of the declaration of covenants in certain circumstances in order to… preserve the state\u2019s long history of protecting homestead property rights,\u201d the bill reads.<\/p>\n

HOW IT WORKS<\/p>\n

Under the bill, a homeowner who wants to terminate his\/her respective HOA must provide the board a petition that includes signatures from at least half of the HOA\u2019s voting members. <\/p>\n

The board must then hold a meeting within 60 days, with two-thirds of the total voting interests being required to approve the termination plan. <\/p>\n

If the plan fails to garner enough support, then residents would have to wait another 18 months before trying again.<\/p>\n

WHAT IF IT GETS APPROVED?<\/p>\n

If the termination plan does get passed, the HOA board would then be required to carry out the following:<\/p>\n

Employ professionals to liquidate or conclude the board\u2019s affairs<\/p>\n

Conduct the affairs of the association as necessary for the liquidation or termination<\/p>\n

Carry out contracts and collect, pay, and settle debts and claims for and against the HOA<\/p>\n

Defend suits brought against the association<\/p>\n

Sue in the name of the association for all sums due or owed to the HOA or to recover any HOA property<\/p>\n

Perform any act necessary to maintain, repair or demolish unsafe or uninhabitable improvements or other HOA property in compliance with applicable codes<\/p>\n

Sell at public or private sale or exchange, convey, or otherwise dispose of assets of the HOA for an amount deemed to be in the best interests of the HOA, and execute bills of sale and deeds of conveyance in the name of the HOA<\/p>\n

Collect and receive rents, profits, accounts receivable, income, maintenance fees, special assessments, or insurance proceeds for the association<\/p>\n

Contract and do anything in the name of the HOA which is proper or convenient to terminate the affairs of the HOA<\/p>\n

Afterward, any remaining association assets must be distributed equally among members or as provided in the termination plan.<\/p>\n

In addition, HB 657 aims to punish officers or directors who use HOA funds to campaign for or against termination plans, fail to hold a meeting after receiving a petition, or hide financial records relevant to termination plans.<\/p>\n

[BELOW: Florida man angry with HOA gets 12 years in prison for condo complex fire]<\/p>\n

Anyone found violating those rules could be fined up to $5,000 per violation and be removed from office.<\/p>\n

WHAT\u2019S NEXT FOR HB 657?<\/p>\n

On Monday, the bill was unanimously approved by its third committee, meaning it will have to pass through just one more before the full House can vote on it. <\/p>\n

However, there is no companion bill in the Senate as of Jan. 23.<\/p>\n

But if the bill manages to clear both houses and gets Gov. DeSantis\u2019 signature, it is slated to take effect on July 1.<\/p>\n

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