Substitute House Bill No. 7002 amends Section 47-257 of the general statutes to revise assessment procedures for common interest ownership communities, specifically regarding common expense assessments. The bill replaces the phrase "at least" with "not less than" to mandate that assessments occur annually based on an adopted budget. It introduces a new subsection (h) allowing for increased common expenses due to unit owner alterations to be assessed solely against that owner's unit. Additionally, it clarifies that unit owners cannot exempt themselves from liability for common expenses and includes provisions addressing misconduct or negligence by unit owners.

Effective January 1, 2026, the bill also protects the rights of unit owners in single-family detached units to install solar power systems, rendering any prohibitive declarations or bylaws unenforceable. It establishes a formal approval process for solar installations, requiring associations to respond to applications within specified timeframes, and mandates that unit owners enter into written agreements covering compliance and costs. The bill allows associations to install solar panels on common elements and sets forth the responsibilities of unit owners regarding maintenance and indemnification. Furthermore, associations formed before the effective date can opt out of these requirements with a 75% board vote, and the bill repeals previous restrictions on solar installations in planned communities.

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