Substitute House Bill No. 7002 amends Section 47-257 of the general statutes to revise regulations regarding common expense assessments in common interest ownership communities. Key changes include replacing the phrase "at least" with "not less than" concerning the frequency of assessments and budget adoption. The bill introduces a new subsection (h), which specifies that any increase in common expenses due to alterations made by a unit owner will be assessed solely against that owner's unit. It also clarifies that unit owners cannot exempt themselves from liability for common expenses and outlines conditions under which associations can assess costs related to misconduct or negligence.

Additionally, the bill establishes provisions for the installation of solar power generating systems on single-family detached units within common interest communities, effective January 1, 2026. It prohibits declarations or bylaws that unreasonably restrict such installations, mandates a formal approval process for unit owners seeking to install solar panels, and outlines the responsibilities of unit owners regarding costs and compliance. The bill allows associations to install solar panels on common elements and creates rules governing their use. It also repeals previous limitations on planned community associations regarding solar panel restrictions. The effective date for the assessment of common expenses and the repeal of existing law is set for October 1, 2025, while broader provisions will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 47-257
PD Joint Favorable: 47-257
File No. 272: 47-257