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Bill would require HOAs to answer certified inquiries within 30 days; committee suspends hearing
Summary
House Bill 1501 would require homeowners associations to respond to certified written inquiries from unit owners within 30 days (60 if a legal opinion is requested) and would limit inquiries to one per month; the committee suspended the hearing and deferred further testimony because of technical problems.
On Feb. 3 the House Committee on Housing opened a hearing on House Bill 1501, which would create a process for unit owners in common interest communities to submit written inquiries by certified mail and require associations to respond within specified timeframes.
Audrey Vaisik, staff to the committee, said HB 1501 would allow a unit owner or an authorized agent to file a written inquiry by certified mail concerning association governance or operations; associations must provide a substantive response within 30 days of receipt or notify the inquirer that a legal or third-party opinion has been requested. If such an opinion is requested, the association would have 60 days to provide a substantive response. Vaisik said associations could adopt reasonable rules about frequency and manner of responses and that an association that fails to provide a substantive response would be prohibited from recovering attorney's fees and costs in a subsequent dispute arising from that inquiry.
Sponsor Representative Julie Reid said the bill aims to ensure homeowners and condo owners get reasonable responses from their associations. "If you need to get a response from the association of which you are a dues-paying member, you are legally entitled to that response," Reid said. She noted the bill limits inquiries to one per month to prevent frivolous or excessive filings.
Representative Dufeau asked whether the law should include a size threshold for small volunteer associations that may lack capacity to meet the requirements and could be harmed by a prohibition on recovering attorney's fees. Representative Reid said she was open to discussing that idea with stakeholders.
The hearing was suspended later in the session because of an internet outage that affected remote participation and streaming. Committee leaders said they would defer continued testimony to a later date and accept written testimony from those unable to appear when the hearing resumes.
No committee vote occurred. Sponsor and staff said they would work with stakeholders on possible amendments, including thresholds or exceptions for small or volunteer-run associations.
