Sen. Eric Lucero praises HOA reform, warns on long-term care cuts in Otsego visit

State Sen. Eric Lucero told the Otsego City Council and residents on May 26 that one of his top accomplishments in the just‑concluded 2026 legislative session was passage of Senate File 1750, a multiyear bill intended to curb excessive homeowner‑association fines, strengthen conflict‑of‑interest rules, improve buyer disclosures and create a path to dissolve inactive HOAs.

"One of the biggest accomplishments this year was the HOA reform bill, Senate File 1750," Lucero said, adding that the measure included provisions to prevent forced HOA creation by local governments and to protect homeowners from retaliation when they complain. He credited local residents and Commissioner Jeannie Holland for helping move the legislation.

Lucero also discussed other outcomes and priorities: language to provide a one‑year moratorium on some vehicle‑tab fee increases enacted in 2023, support for an independent Office of Inspector General to investigate agency fraud and waste, and concern about an estimated $600 million cut to long‑term and disability care that he said will hurt residential providers and workers.

Council members asked clarifying questions about which parts of the $600 million cut would affect workers versus consumer services. Lucero said he had voted against the large package and that, to his high‑level understanding, the reductions would hit provider reimbursements and pay scales. On the inspector general office, he explained the design sought an independent office confirmed by the legislature that would be insulated from executive‑branch conflicts while still operating within constitutional limits on enforcement authority.

Lucero closed by noting he had filed for re‑election and made himself available for questions from residents following his remarks.