Florida 2024 2024 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H1243 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 01/22/2024

                    This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives. 
STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS  
 
BILL #: HB 1243    Homeowners' Associations 
SPONSOR(S): Porras and others 
TIED BILLS:    IDEN./SIM. BILLS:   
 
REFERENCE 	ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or 
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF 
1) Regulatory Reform & Economic Development 
Subcommittee 
 	Larkin Anstead 
2) Appropriations Committee    
3) Judiciary Committee    
SUMMARY ANALYSIS 
A homeowners’ association (HOA) is an association of residential property owners in which voting membership is 
made up of parcel owners and membership is a mandatory condition of parcel ownership. HOAs are authorized to 
impose assessments that, if unpaid, may become a lien on the parcel. HOAs may levy fines against or suspend 
certain access rights of a parcel owner for failing to comply with the HOA’s governing documents. In addition, 
Florida law requires officers and directors of an HOA to comply with certain requirements. 
 
The bill provides educational requirements for community association managers (CAMs) and HOA directors. 
 
The bill requires a CAM that is authorized by contract to provide an HOA community association management 
services to meet certain conditions.  
 
Related to official records, the bill: 
 Requires every HOA, by January 1, 2025, to post a current digital copy of the official records on its 
website or make such documents available through an application. 
 Requires an HOA to ensure that the private information and records that are not allowed to be 
accessible to parcel owners are not posted on the website or application or are redacted. 
 Provides that an HOA must provide a copy of records or otherwise make the records available that are 
subpoenaed by a law enforcement agency. 
 
The bill requires an HOA that has 2,500 members or more to: 
 Use an independent certified public accountant (CPA) to prepare the HOA's annual budget.  
 Retain an attorney to advise the HOA and its members on procedural matters relating to the annual 
budget and to foster communications between the board and the HOA members. 
 
The bill provides that an HOA officer, director, or manager that accepts a kickback that is: 
 Valued at least $25 but not more than $1,000 commits a first-degree misdemeanor. 
 Valued at $1,000 or more commits a third-degree felony. 
 
Related to an HOA or its architectural, construction improvement, or other similar committee (ARC), the bill: 
 Requires an HOA or an ARC to uniformly apply and enforce on all parcel owners the architectural and 
construction improvement standards. 
 Requires an HOA or an ARC to provide specific reasons for a denial of a parcel owner's request for the 
construction on his or her property. 
The bill has no fiscal impact on state or local government. 
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.     
   STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 	PAGE: 2 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
  
FULL ANALYSIS 
I.  SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS 
 
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES: 
Community Association Managers- Current Situation 
 
Community association managers (CAMs) are licensed and regulated by the Department of Business 
and Professional Regulation (DBPR) pursuant to part VIII of ch. 468, F.S. Community association 
managers are regulated by the seven-member Regulatory Council of Community Association 
Managers at DBPR.
1
 
 
Section 468.431(2), F.S., defines “community association management” to mean: 
 
any of the following practices requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and 
managerial skill when done for remuneration and when the association or associations 
served contain more than 10 units or have an annual budget or budgets in excess of 
$100,000: controlling or disbursing funds of a community association, preparing budgets 
or other financial documents for a community association, assisting in the noticing or 
conduct of community association meetings, and coordinating maintenance for the 
residential development and other day-to-day services involved with the operation of a 
community association. 
 
A license is not required for a person who: 
 Performs clerical or ministerial functions under the direct supervision and control of a licensed 
manager, or  
 Performs only the maintenance of a community association and does not assist in any of the 
management services.
2
 
 
To become licensed as a CAM, a license applicant must: 
 Submit to a background check to determine good moral character,  
 Attend a DBPR-approved in-person training prior to taking the examination, and  
 Pass the licensure examination.
3
 
 
CAMs must also complete not more than 10 hours of continuing education hours as approved by the 
council to renew and maintain their licenses.
4
 
 
Section 468.4334, F.S., outlines the professional practice standards for CAMs and CAM firms, including 
the duty to “discharge the duties performed on behalf of the association as authorized by [ch. 468, 
F.S.], loyally, skillfully, and diligently; dealing honestly and fairly; in good faith; with care and full 
disclosure to the community association; accounting for all funds; and not charging unreasonable or 
excessive fees.”  
 
The license of a CAM or CAM firm may be disciplined, including a suspension or revocation of their 
license, or denial of a license renewal, for the grounds specified in s. 468.436, F.S., including: 
 Committing acts of gross misconduct or gross negligence in connection with the profession. 
 Contracting, on behalf of an association, with any entity in which the CAM has a financial 
interest that is not disclosed. 
 Violating any provision of chapter 718 (relating to condominiums), chapter 719 (relating to 
cooperatives), or chapter 720 (relating to homeowners’ associations) during the course of 
                                                
1
 S. 468.4315(1), F.S. 
2
 S. 468.431(2), F.S. 
3
 S. 468.433, F.S. 
4
 S. 468.4336 and 468.4337, F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 	PAGE: 3 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
  
performing community association management services pursuant to a contract with a 
community association.
5
 
 
Community Association Managers- Effect of the Bill  
 
The bill requires CAMs and CAM firms authorized by a contract to provide community association 
management to an HOA to: 
 Attend in person at least one member meeting or board meeting of the homeowners' 
association annually; 
 Provide HOA members: 
o  The name and contact information for each CAM or representative of the CAM firm 
assigned to the HOA. 
o The CAM’s or representative’s hours of availability. 
o A summary of the duties for which the CAM or representative is responsible. 
 
The bill requires that the HOA post this information on the HOA website or application. The bill requires 
that a CAM or CAM firm must update the HOA and its members within 14 business days after any 
change to such information. 
 
A CAM or CAM firm is required to provide the contract between the HOA and the CAM, and the HOA 
governing documents, upon an HOA member’s request.  
 
The bill mandates that every two years, a CAM that provides services to an HOA must complete at 
least 5 hours of continuing education that pertains specifically to HOAs, 3 hours of which must relate to 
recordkeeping. 
 
Homeowners’ Associations 
 
A homeowners’ association (HOA) is an association of residential property owners in which voting 
membership is made up of parcel owners and membership is a mandatory condition of parcel 
ownership. HOAs are authorized to impose assessments that, if unpaid, may become a lien on the 
parcel.
6
 In Florida, approximately 45 percent of homes are part of an HOA.
7
 
 
Only HOAs whose covenants and restrictions include mandatory assessments are regulated by ch. 
720, F.S., the Homeowners’ Association Act (HOA Act). Like a condominium, an HOA is administered 
by an elected board of directors. The powers and duties of an HOA include the powers and duties 
provided in the HOA Act, and in the association’s governing documents, which include the recorded 
covenants and restrictions, together with the bylaws, articles of incorporation, and duly adopted 
amendments to those documents.
8
  
 
An HOA must be a Florida corporation and the initial governing documents must be recorded in the 
official records of the county in which the community is located. The powers and duties of an 
association include those set forth in the HOA Act and in the governing documents, except as expressly 
limited or restricted in the HOA Act.  
 
After control of the HOA is obtained by members other than the developer, the HOA may institute, 
maintain, settle, or appeal actions or hearings in its name on behalf of all members concerning matters 
of common interest to the members. The HOA may defend actions in eminent domain or bring inverse 
condemnation actions. Any individual member or class of members may bring any action without 
                                                
5
 S. 468.436(2)(b)5.-7., F.S. 
6
 S. 720.301(9), F.S. 
7
 Patrick Regan, “45% of Florida Homes Are Part of an HOA, the Highest Percentage in the Nation.” South Florida Agent 
Magazine, Apr. 21, 2023, https://southfloridaagentmagazine.com/2023/04/20/45-of-florida-homes-are-part-of-an-hoa-the-
highest-percentage-in-the-nation/ (last visited Jan. 20, 2024). 
8
 See generally ch. 720, F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 	PAGE: 4 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
  
participation by the HOA, but a member does not have authority to act for the HOA by virtue of being a 
member.
9
 
 
No state agency has direct oversight over HOAs. However, Florida law provides for a limited mandatory 
binding arbitration program, administered by the Division of Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile 
Homes, within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, for certain election and recall 
disputes.
10
 
 
HOA Governing Documents 
 
An HOA’s governing documents include the: 
 Recorded declaration of covenants for a community and all duly adopted amendments thereto; 
 HOA’s articles of incorporation and bylaws and any duly adopted amendments thereto; and 
 Rules and regulations adopted under the authority of the recorded declaration, articles of 
incorporation, or bylaws and any duly adopted amendments thereto.
11
  
 
The declaration of covenants, much like a constitution, establishes the community’s basic covenants 
and restrictions.
12
 The articles of incorporation establish the HOA’s existence, basic structure, and 
governance.
13
 The bylaws govern the HOA’s operation and administration, while the rules and 
regulations typically supplement the other documents, addressing matters of everyday policy.
14
  
 
Unless otherwise provided in the governing documents or required by law, an HOA’s governing 
documents may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the HOA’s voting interests.
15
 Within 
30 days after recording a governing document amendment, the HOA must give its members copies 
thereof unless a copy was provided to the members before the vote on the amendment, in which case 
the HOA must only provide the members with notice of the amendment’s adoption.
16
  
 
Official Records- Current Situation 
 
An HOA must maintain each of the following items, when applicable, which constitute the official 
records of the HOA:
17
 
 A copy of the HOA’s governing documents:  
o declaration of covenants and each amendment,  
o bylaws and each amendment, 
o articles of incorporation and each amendment, and 
o current rules. 
 Copies of any plans, specifications, permits, and warranties related to improvements 
constructed on the common areas or other property that the HOA is obligated to maintain, 
repair, or replace. 
 The minutes of all meetings of the board of directors and of the members, which minutes must 
be retained for at least 7 years. 
 A current roster of all members and their designated mailing addresses and parcel 
identifications. A member's designated mailing address is the member's property address, 
unless the member has sent written notice to the association requesting that a different mailing 
address be used for all required notices.  
o The association shall also maintain the e-mail addresses and the facsimile numbers 
designated by members for receiving notice sent by electronic transmission of those 
                                                
9
 S. 720.303(1), F.S. 
10
 S. 720.311, F.S. 
11
 S. 720.301(8), F.S. 
12
 Joseph Adams, HOA Governing Documents Explained (July 1, 2018), 
https://www.floridacondohoalawblog.com/2018/07/01/hoa-governing-documents-explained/ (last visited Jan. 21, 2024).  
13
 Id.  
14
 Id.  
15
 S. 720.306(1), F.S. 
16
 Id.  
17
 S. 720.303(4), F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 	PAGE: 5 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
  
members consenting to receive notice by electronic transmission. A member's e-mail 
address is the e-mail address the member provided when consenting in writing to 
receiving notice by electronic transmission, unless the member has sent written notice to 
the association requesting that a different e-mail address be used for all required 
notices. The e-mail addresses and facsimile numbers provided by members to receive 
notice by electronic transmission must be removed from association records when the 
member revokes consent to receive notice by electronic transmission.  
 All of the HOA’s insurance policies, which must be retained for at least 7 years. 
 A current copy of all contracts to which the HOA is a party, including, without limitation, any 
management agreement, lease, or other contract under which the HOA has any obligation or 
responsibility.  
o Bids received by the HOA for work to be performed must also be considered official 
records and must be kept for a period of 1 year. 
 The financial and accounting records of the HOA, kept according to good accounting practices. 
All financial and accounting records must be maintained for a period of at least 7 years. The 
financial and accounting records must include: 
o Accurate, itemized, and detailed records of all receipts and expenditures. 
o A current account and a periodic statement of the account for each member, designating 
the name and current address of each member who is obligated to pay assessments, 
the due date and amount of each assessment or other charge against the member, the 
date and amount of each payment on the account, and the balance due. 
o All tax returns, financial statements, and financial reports of the HOA. 
o Any other records that identify, measure, record, or communicate financial information. 
 A copy of the disclosure summary. 
 Ballots, sign-in sheets, voting proxies, and all other papers and electronic records relating to 
voting by parcel owners, which must be maintained for at least 1 year after the date of the 
election, vote, or meeting. 
 All affirmative acknowledgments made pursuant to s. 720.3085(3)(c)3, F.S. 
 All other written records of the HOA which are related to the operation of the HOA. 
 
The HOA bylaws must require the HOA to post all notices of board meetings in a conspicuous place in 
the community at least 48 hours in advance of a meeting, except in an emergency.
18
 
 
The official records must be maintained within the state for at least 7 years and be made available to a 
parcel owner for inspection or photocopying within 45 miles of the community or within the county in 
which the HOA is located within 10 business days after receipt by the board or its designee of a written 
request.  
 
An HOA may comply with these requirements by having a copy of the official records available for 
inspection or copying in the community or, at the option of the HOA, by making the records available to 
a parcel owner electronically via the Internet or by allowing the records to be viewed in electronic 
format on a computer screen and printed upon request.  
 
If the HOA has a photocopy machine available where the records are maintained, it must provide 
parcel owners with copies on request during the inspection if the entire request is limited to no more 
than 25 pages. However, an HOA may impose fees to cover the costs of providing copies of the official 
records.
19
 An association must allow a member or authorized representative to use a portable device, 
including a smartphone, tablet, portable scanner, or any other technology capable of scanning or taking 
photographs, to make an electronic copy of the official records in lieu of providing the member or 
                                                
18
 S. 720.303(2)(c), F.S. 
19
 The association may impose fees to cover the costs of providing copies of the official records, including the costs of 
copying and the costs required for personnel to retrieve and copy the records if the time spent retrieving and copying the 
records exceeds one-half hour and if the personnel costs do not exceed $20 per hour. Personnel costs may not be 
charged for records requests that result in the copying of 25 or fewer pages. The association may charge up to 25 cents 
per page for copies made on the association's photocopier. S. 720.303(5)(c), F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 	PAGE: 6 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
  
authorized representative with a copy of such records. The association may not charge a fee to a 
member or his or her authorized representative for the use of a portable device.
20
  
 
The failure of an association to provide access to the records within 10 business days after receipt of a 
written request submitted by certified mail, return receipt requested, creates a rebuttable presumption 
that the association willfully failed to comply with this requirement.
21
 
 
A member who is denied access to official records is entitled to the actual damages or minimum 
damages for the HOA’s willful failure to comply with this requirement. The minimum damages are to be 
$50 per calendar day up to 10 days, the calculation to begin on the 11th business day after receipt of 
the written request.
22
 
 
The HOA may adopt reasonable written rules governing the frequency, time, location, notice, records to 
be inspected, and manner of inspections, but may not require a parcel owner to demonstrate any 
proper purpose for the inspection, state any reason for the inspection, or limit a parcel owner’s right to 
inspect records to less than one 8-hour business day per month.
23
   
 
The following records are not accessible to members or parcel owners:
24
 
 Any record protected by the lawyer-client privilege as described in s. 90.502, F.S., and any 
record protected by the work-product privilege. 
 Information obtained in connection with the approval of the lease, sale, or other transfer of a 
parcel. 
 Information obtained in a gated community in connection with guests’ visits to parcel owners or 
community residents. 
 Personnel records of HOA or management company employees. 
 Medical records of parcel owners or community residents. 
 Personal identifying information of a parcel owner other than as provided for HOA notice 
requirements, excluding the person’s name, parcel designation, mailing address, and property 
address.  
 Any electronic security measure that is used to safeguard data, including passwords. 
 The software and operating system which allows the manipulation of data; however, the data is 
part of the official records. 
 All affirmative acknowledgments made pursuant to s. 720.3085(3)(c)3, F.S. 
 
Official Records- Effect of the Bill 
 
The bill mandates that the HOA adopt written rules governing the method of retaining official records 
and length of such retention. 
 
The bill requires every HOA, by January 1, 2025, to: 
 Post a current digital copy of the official records on its website accessible on the Internet, or  
 Make such documents available through an application that can be downloaded on a mobile 
device. 
 Such application or website must have a subpage or portal inaccessible to the general public, 
and that is accessible only to HOA parcel owners and employees, and 
 Must provide a username and password, upon request.  
 
 
The bill provides that if an HOA receives a subpoena for records from a law enforcement agency, the 
HOA must provide a copy of such records or otherwise make the records available to a law 
                                                
20
 S. 720.303(5), F.S. 
21
 S. 720.303(5)(a), F.S. 
22
 S. 720.303(5)(b), F.S. 
23
 S. 720.303(5)(c), F.S. 
24
 S. 720.303(5)(c)1.-9., F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 	PAGE: 7 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
  
enforcement agency within 5 business days after receipt of the subpoena. The bill requires that an HOA 
must assist a law enforcement agency in its investigation to the extent permissible by law. 
 
Budget- Current Situation  
 
Every HOA is required to prepare an annual budget that sets out the annual operating expenses. The 
budget must:
25
 
 Reflect the estimated revenues and expenses for that year and the estimated surplus or deficit 
as of the end of the current year. 
 Set out separately all fees or charges paid for by the association for recreational amenities, 
whether owned by the association, the developer, or another person. 
 
The HOA must provide each member with a copy of the annual budget or a written notice that a copy of 
the budget is available upon request at no charge to the member. In addition to annual operating 
expenses, the budget may include reserve accounts for capital expenditures and deferred maintenance 
for which the HOA is responsible.
26
 Depending on the HOA’s governing documents, an HOA’s budget 
may not provide for reserve accounts.
27
 Upon approval by the HOA membership, the board of directors 
must include the required reserve accounts in the budget in the next fiscal year following the approval 
and each year thereafter.
28
 
 
Budget- Effect of the Bill  
 
The bill requires an HOA that has 2,500 members or more to: 
 Use an independent certified public accountant (CPA) to prepare the HOA's annual budget.  
 Retain an attorney to advise the HOA and its members on procedural matters relating to the 
annual budget and to foster communications between the board and the HOA members. 
 
The bill provides that such CPA and attorney may not be the CAM or an employee of the CAM firm 
providing community association management services to the HOA. 
 
Powers and Duties of Officers and Directors- Current Situation 
 
The officers and directors of an HOA have a fiduciary relationship to the members who are served by 
the HOA.
29
  
 
Within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the board, each director shall certify in writing to the 
secretary of the HOA that: 
  he or she has read the association's declaration of covenants, articles of incorporation, bylaws, 
and current written rules and policies;  
 he or she will work to uphold such documents and policies to the best of his or her ability; and  
 he or she will faithfully discharge his or her fiduciary responsibility to the HOA members. 
 
Within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the board, in lieu of such written certification, the 
newly elected or appointed director may submit a certificate of having satisfactorily completed the 
educational curriculum administered by a division-approved education provider within 1 year before or 
90 days after the date of election or appointment. The written certification or educational certificate is 
valid for the uninterrupted tenure of the director on the board. A director who does not timely file the 
written certification or educational certificate shall be suspended from the board until he or she 
complies with the requirement. The board may temporarily fill the vacancy during the period of 
suspension.  
 
                                                
25
 S. 720.303(6)(a), F.S. 
26
 S. 720.303(6)(b), F.S. 
27
 S. 720.303(6)(d), F.S. 
28
 S. 720.303(6)(c)(1), F.S. 
29
 S. 720.303(1), F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 	PAGE: 8 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
  
The HOA must retain each director's written certification or educational certificate for inspection by the 
members for 5 years after the director's election. However, the failure to have the written certification or 
educational certificate on file does not affect the validity of any board action.
30
 
 
An officer, a director, or a manager who knowingly solicits, offers to accept, or accepts any thing or 
service of value or kickback for which consideration has not been provided for his or her own benefit or 
that of his or her immediate family from any person providing or proposing to provide goods or services 
to the association is subject to monetary damages. If the board finds that an officer or director has 
violated this condition, the board must immediately remove the officer or director from office. The 
vacancy must be filled according to law until the end of the director’s term of office. However, an officer, 
director, or manager may accept food to be consumed at a business meeting with a value of less than 
$25 per individual or a service or good received in connection with trade fairs or education programs.
31
 
 
If the HOA enters into a contract or other transaction with any of its directors or a corporation, firm, 
association that is not an affiliated HOA, or other entity in which a director is also a director or officer or 
is financially interested, the board must:
32
 
 Comply with the requirements for conflicts of interest in a corporation not for profit.
33
  
 Enter certain disclosure requirements into the written minutes of the meeting. 
 Approve the contract or other transaction by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the directors 
present. 
 At the next regular or special meeting of the members, disclose the existence of the contract or 
other transaction to the members. Upon motion of any member, the contract or transaction must 
be brought up for a vote and may be canceled by a majority vote of the members present. If the 
members cancel the contract, the HOA is only liable for the reasonable value of goods and 
services provided up to the time of cancellation and is not liable for any termination fee, 
liquidated damages, or other penalty for such cancellation. 
 
The directors and officers of an HOA who are appointed by the developer to disclose to the HOA their 
relationship to the developer each calendar year in which they serve as a director or an officer. 
34
A 
developer's appointment of an officer or director does not create a presumption that the officer or 
director has a conflict of interest with regard to the performance of his or her official duties.  
 
Directors and officers of an HOA are required to disclose to the HOA any activity that may reasonably 
be construed to be a conflict of interest at least 14 days prior to voting on the subject of such conflict or 
entering into such contract. A rebuttable presumption of a conflict of interest exists if any of the 
following occurs without prior disclosure to the HOA:
35
 
 A director or an officer, or a relative of a director or an officer, enters into a contract for goods or 
services with the HOA. 
 A director or an officer, or a relative of a director or an officer, holds an interest in a corporation, 
limited liability company, partnership, limited liability partnership, or other business entity that 
conducts business with the HOA or proposes to enter into a contract or other transaction with the 
HOA. 
 
Powers and Duties of Officers and Directors- Effect of the Bill 
 
HOA Director Education Requirements 
 
The bill: 
                                                
30
 S. 720.3033(1)(a)-(c),F.S. 
31
 S. 720.3033(3), F.S. 
32
 S. 720.3033(2), F.S. 
33
 A contract or transaction with a conflict of interest is not voidable if the relationship or interest is disclosed or known to 
the board; the board authorized, approved, or ratified it by vote or written consent; or the contract or transaction is fair and 
reasonable at the time it is authorized. Such contract or transaction must be authorized, approved, or ratified by a majority 
of the directors on the board who have no relationship or interest in such transaction. S. 617.0832, F.S. 
34
 S. 720.3033(6)(a), F.S. 
35
 S. 720.3033(6)(b), F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 	PAGE: 9 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
  
 Requires a new elected or appointed director, within 90 days after being elected or appointed, 
to the board to complete and submit a certificate of having satisfactorily completed the 
educational curriculum administered by a DBPR-approved education provider.  
 Provides that such educational curriculum must include training relating to financial literacy and 
transparency, recordkeeping, levying of fines, and notice and meeting requirements.  
 Provides that the certification of completion for education of newly elected directors is valid up 
to four years.  
 Requires that a newly elected director must complete such educational curriculum at least 
every four years.  
 Requires a newly elected or appointed director of an association that: 
o has fewer than 1,000 members to complete at least 4 hours of continuing education 
annually. 
o has 1,000 members or more must complete at least 8 hours of continuing education 
annually. 
 
Prohibition of Kickbacks 
 
The bill prohibits an HOA officer, director, or manager from accepting kickbacks:  
 If a kickback is valued at least $25 but not more than $1,000, it is a first-degree misdemeanor. 
 If a kickback is valued at $1,000 or more, it is a third-degree felony. 
 
HOA Architectural and Construction Improvement Covenants and Rules- Current Situation 
 
If the governing documents allow, an HOA or its architectural, construction improvement, or other 
similar committee (ARC) may:
36
 
 Require a review and approval of plans and specifications for the location, size, type, or 
appearance of any structure or other improvement on a parcel before a parcel owner makes such 
improvement. 
 Enforce standards for the external appearance of any structure or improvement located on a 
parcel. 
 
The HOA or ARC may not restrict the right of a parcel owner to select from any options given in the 
governing documents for the use of material, the size of the structure or improvement, the design of the 
structure or improvement, or the location of the structure or improvement on the parcel.
37
 
 
Each parcel owner is entitled to the rights and privileges set forth in the governing documents 
concerning the architectural use of the parcel, and the construction of permitted structures and 
improvements on the parcel and such rights and privileges may not be unreasonably infringed upon or 
impaired by the HOA or ARC. If the an HOA or ARC unreasonably, knowingly, and willfully infringes 
upon or impairs such rights and privileges, the adversely affected parcel owner may recover damages, 
including any costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
38
  
 
An HOA or ARC may not enforce any policy or restriction that is inconsistent with the rights and 
privileges of a parcel owner set forth in the governing documents, whether uniformly applied or not.
39
   
 
HOA Architectural and Construction Improvement Covenants and Rules- The Effect of Bill 
 
The bill provides: 
 An HOA or ARC must uniformly apply and enforce the architectural and construction 
improvement standards against all parcel owners authorized by the HOA governing documents. 
 If the HOA or ARC denies a parcel owner's request or application for the construction of a 
structure or other improvement on a parcel, the HOA or ARC must provide written notice to the 
                                                
36
 S. 720.3035(1), F.S. 
37
 S. 720. 3035(2), F.S. 
38
 S. 720.3035(4), F.S. 
39
 S. 720.3035(5), F.  STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 	PAGE: 10 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
  
parcel owner stating with specificity the rule or covenant on which the HOA or ARC relied when 
denying the request or application. 
 
B. SECTION DIRECTORY: 
Section 1: amending s. 468.4334, F.S. relating to community association manager requirements. 
Section 2: amending s. 468.4337, F.S., relating to continuing education. 
Section 3: amending s. 720.303, F.S., relating to official records and budgets. 
Section 4: amending s. 720.3033, F.S., relating to education of directors. 
Section 5: amending s. 720.3035, F.S., relating to architectural control covenants. 
Section 6: amending s. 720.3085, F.S., relating to payment for assessments. 
Section 7: Providing effective date. 
 
II.  FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT 
 
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT: 
 
1. Revenues: 
None. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
None. 
 
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: 
 
1. Revenues: 
None. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
None. 
 
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR: 
Protections put in place preventing HOA board members from accepting kickbacks, and requiring large 
HOAs to employ a CPA may prevent unlawful behavior from occurring, and, thus, save HOAs money. 
However, some HOAs may have to spend money to develop a website and HOAs that have 2,500 
members or more may have an increase in expenditures related to retaining a CPA and an attorney.  
 
 
D. FISCAL COMMENTS: 
None. 
 
III.  COMMENTS 
 
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES: 
 
 1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision: 
Not Applicable.  This bill does not appear to affect county or municipal governments. 
 
 2. Other: 
None. 
 
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:  STORAGE NAME: h1243.RRS 	PAGE: 11 
DATE: 1/22/2024 
  
DBPR is given rule-making authority to adopt rules to implement and administer an educational 
curriculum and continuing education requirements for HOA directors. 
 
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS: 
None. 
 
IV.  AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES