Committee advances bipartisan HOA reform bill with consumer protections; amendment adopted

The Minnesota House Committee on Housing Finance and Policy on Thursday adopted an author's amendment and voted to refer House File 1268 to the Judiciary Finance and Law Committee, advancing a bipartisan package of changes that supporters say will add consumer protections for homeowners in homeowners associations (HOAs) and common-interest communities (CICs).

The bill, as described by Representative Hunter, “creates a strong framework of consumer protections for homeowners and solid guardrails to set up association boards and property managers for success.” An author’s amendment labeled A5 was adopted by voice vote before the committee moved the bill onward.

HF 1268 incorporates recommendations from a legislative working group made up of homeowners, board members, property managers, attorneys and industry groups. Representative Hunter told the committee the working group met 14 times and held public listening sessions across the Twin Cities metro area. The draft bill addresses governance, open meetings and governing documents, dissolution, dispute resolution, fines and fees, liens and foreclosure procedures, and conflict-of-interest rules for boards and contractors. Nonpartisan…