House clears amendment and final passage of HOA dispute resolution bill

The House considered House Bill 11‑23 on third reading and approved a third‑reading amendment that made alternative dispute resolution permissive rather than mandatory for certain disputes between unit owners and homeowners associations. After the amendment was adopted, the House repassed the bill as amended on third reading and final passage.

Representative Mabry, a sponsor, explained the amendment clarifies that alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a permissive tool that “is at the behest of the owner and not the HOA,” and preserves a provision that ADR is inappropriate where there is a reasonable threat of injury or harm to a person or property. The House first voted to permit running a third‑reading amendment, which passed 43–22–0, then adopted amendment L009 by voice/machine vote (43–22–0) and finally repassed the bill as amended by roll-call vote 39–26–0.

The sponsor and floor leaders described the amendment as protecting homeowners from being compelled into ADR when a reasonable threat exists; members who raised concerns said they wanted clarity on which disputes are suitable for ADR and a clear limit where immediate safety is at risk.

Ending: The bill now moves forward as amended; sponsors said the change preserves homeowner protections while maintaining ADR as an available mechanism when appropriate.