Organization keeping close tabs on community association legislation
United States of America (Press Release) March 12, 2008 --
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Todd Templin or Michelle Friedman
Boardroom Communications
(954) 370-8999
Donna Berger, Esq.
Executive Director, Community Advocacy Network
(954) 315-0372.
Community Advocacy Network Provides A Voice For Florida Community Associations During Legislative Session
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Community Advocacy Network (CAN) is keeping a close eye on numerous bills in Tallahassee that have the potential to impact millions of people who live in common interest ownership communities. Florida lawmakers have filed more than three dozen pieces of legislation affecting homeowners’ and condominium associations. CAN is a not-for-profit initiative that provides a collective voice for more than 1,000 community associations statewide.
“Each year the Florida Legislature tackles several bills that impact the way community associations are operated,” said Donna Berger, Esq., executive director of CAN. “Our job is to make sure that helpful, rather than harmful legislation gets passed. It would be difficult for each individual association to be able to track down all these bills and influence the process on its own, but by banding together as one, we are a force that will make lawmakers sit up and take notice.”
Of all the legislation filed so far affecting community associations, a few bills stand out said Donna Berger. One is from Representative Julio Robaina’s (HB 995) which seeks to impose criminal sanctions on board members and managers who fail to produce or maintain association records. His bill also stipulates that boards cannot prohibit condo owners from displaying “religiously mandated objects” in the “front door area” of their units.
“While protecting the free exercise of religion is a worthy goal, we must be careful to ensure that the language used doesn’t create more headaches and stumbling blocks for volunteer board members. Can you imagine a board engaged in lengthy debate over what is religiously mandated or what constitutes the front door area?” Donna Berger asks.
In addition to Rep. Robaina’s proposals, CAN is also closely watching Senate Bill 2600. Among other things, it requires homeowners’ associations to set up five-member grievance committees of which one member cannot be a community resident. The proposal also prohibits HOA boards from requiring approval for leases and solar panels.
CAN is fortunate to be working with a lobbyist in Tallahassee who helps sort out these issues and is a widely recognized expert in the field of community association law. Peter Dunbar has authored over six books on common interest ownership communities and previously served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. “Pete is a real pro,” said Wendy Murray, president of the Villages of Renaissance Master Association in Miramar. “He’s probably the foremost authority on community association issues in Florida and knows how to get his message across in the State Capitol.”
Throughout the legislative session, CAN is able to keep its members up-to-date on pending legislation through its robust and interactive website (www.canfl.com). There are a number of tools that allow members to play an important role in the political process. The “Capitol Connection” is an e-mail feature that enables members to easily correspond with Florida lawmakers and local media outlets. In addition, CAN sends out weekly email reports updating members on its progress in Tallahassee.
Besides legislative support, CAN also offers an Affinity Program, a resource that provides members access to special discounts and services from participating vendors such as banks, insurance agents and accounting services.
CAN also offers “Board Member Boot Camps,” free seminars to community association board members so they can learn best practices and become better leaders in their neighborhoods. The Boot Camps are available to both CAN and Non-CAN members alike. Membership in CAN only costs $150 per year with discounts given to larger umbrella organizations. For membership information call 954-315-0372.
###
Community Advocacy Network (CAN) is a not-for-profit initiative started by Katzman & Korr, a Ft. Lauderdale law firm that concentrates it practice on community association law. For more information on both entities visit www.katzkorr.com or www.canfl.com or call (954) 315-0372.
Contacts:
Todd Templin or Michelle Friedman
Boardroom Communications
(954) 370-8999
Donna Berger, Esq.
Executive Director, Community Advocacy Network
(954) 315-0372.
Community Advocacy Network Provides A Voice For Florida Community Associations During Legislative Session
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Community Advocacy Network (CAN) is keeping a close eye on numerous bills in Tallahassee that have the potential to impact millions of people who live in common interest ownership communities. Florida lawmakers have filed more than three dozen pieces of legislation affecting homeowners’ and condominium associations. CAN is a not-for-profit initiative that provides a collective voice for more than 1,000 community associations statewide.
“Each year the Florida Legislature tackles several bills that impact the way community associations are operated,” said Donna Berger, Esq., executive director of CAN. “Our job is to make sure that helpful, rather than harmful legislation gets passed. It would be difficult for each individual association to be able to track down all these bills and influence the process on its own, but by banding together as one, we are a force that will make lawmakers sit up and take notice.”
Of all the legislation filed so far affecting community associations, a few bills stand out said Donna Berger. One is from Representative Julio Robaina’s (HB 995) which seeks to impose criminal sanctions on board members and managers who fail to produce or maintain association records. His bill also stipulates that boards cannot prohibit condo owners from displaying “religiously mandated objects” in the “front door area” of their units.
“While protecting the free exercise of religion is a worthy goal, we must be careful to ensure that the language used doesn’t create more headaches and stumbling blocks for volunteer board members. Can you imagine a board engaged in lengthy debate over what is religiously mandated or what constitutes the front door area?” Donna Berger asks.
In addition to Rep. Robaina’s proposals, CAN is also closely watching Senate Bill 2600. Among other things, it requires homeowners’ associations to set up five-member grievance committees of which one member cannot be a community resident. The proposal also prohibits HOA boards from requiring approval for leases and solar panels.
CAN is fortunate to be working with a lobbyist in Tallahassee who helps sort out these issues and is a widely recognized expert in the field of community association law. Peter Dunbar has authored over six books on common interest ownership communities and previously served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. “Pete is a real pro,” said Wendy Murray, president of the Villages of Renaissance Master Association in Miramar. “He’s probably the foremost authority on community association issues in Florida and knows how to get his message across in the State Capitol.”
Throughout the legislative session, CAN is able to keep its members up-to-date on pending legislation through its robust and interactive website (www.canfl.com). There are a number of tools that allow members to play an important role in the political process. The “Capitol Connection” is an e-mail feature that enables members to easily correspond with Florida lawmakers and local media outlets. In addition, CAN sends out weekly email reports updating members on its progress in Tallahassee.
Besides legislative support, CAN also offers an Affinity Program, a resource that provides members access to special discounts and services from participating vendors such as banks, insurance agents and accounting services.
CAN also offers “Board Member Boot Camps,” free seminars to community association board members so they can learn best practices and become better leaders in their neighborhoods. The Boot Camps are available to both CAN and Non-CAN members alike. Membership in CAN only costs $150 per year with discounts given to larger umbrella organizations. For membership information call 954-315-0372.
###
Community Advocacy Network (CAN) is a not-for-profit initiative started by Katzman & Korr, a Ft. Lauderdale law firm that concentrates it practice on community association law. For more information on both entities visit www.katzkorr.com or www.canfl.com or call (954) 315-0372.
Email
Print
SPAM
