Committee approves bill giving older HOAs a new path to opt into state statute

The committee approved House Bill 664 to provide an alternate pathway for pre‑1994 homeowners associations to elect governance under the Property Owners Association Act. Volunteer counsel John Zamer, representing Huntcliff Homeowners Association, said many older associations lack any amendment provision and are therefore stuck with 'frozen covenants.' Zamer said the bill would let affected associations opt in with a supermajority of members (the sponsor described an 80% draft but the committee discussed 75% as industry standard).

Zamer described precedent in the 1990 amendment to the Condominium Act and said 75% was commonly accepted by attorneys who represent HOAs. Committee members asked about prevalence and real‑world consequences; the sponsor and witnesses said many pre‑1994 associations have restrictive covenants and the bill would provide a statutory path to modernize governance for those communities. After discussion, the committee moved and passed HB664 by voice vote.