Title: Homeowners' Associations

Summary: Authorizes certain disputes to be submitted to mandatory binding arbitration with division; requires HOA to impose fees for certain purposes.

Full Text:
An act relating to homeowners' associations; amending s. 720.311, F.S.; authorizing certain disputes to be submitted to mandatory binding arbitration with the division; requiring an association to impose fees for certain purposes; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Subsection (3) is added to section 720.311, Florida Statutes, to read: 720.311 Dispute resolution.-(3)(a) Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(a), an association may submit any dispute relating to amendments to the association documents, meetings of the board and committees appointed by the board, and membership meetings not includi ng election meetings, to mandatory binding arbitration, in lieu of presuit mediation, with the division. Such proceedings must be conducted in the manner provided by s. 718.1255 and the procedural rules adopted by the division. At the conclusion of the pro ceeding, the department shall charge the association a fee in an amount adequate to cover all costs and expenses incurred by the department in conducting the proceeding. (b) Effective July 1, 2017, associations must impose annual, quarterly, or monthly fees to adequately cover any costs HB 2017 incurred by the association for proceedings conducted under this subsection. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2017.