This bill amends various sections of Florida law concerning community associations, with a particular emphasis on the processes for recalling board members and conducting elections. Key provisions include the prohibition of suspending voting rights during recall votes, ensuring that any prior suspensions do not affect these votes. The bill also eliminates the requirement for a special meeting to be called by a certain percentage of voting interests and allows for electronic transmission as a valid method of notice for meetings. Additionally, it mandates that recall agreements be served on the association via registered mail and establishes that a unit owner executing a recall agreement is presumed to be the designated voter for their unit. Other amendments streamline the process for challenging recalls and elections, requiring challenges to be brought in equity as a summary proceeding and allowing for immediate hearings.

Further changes include the establishment of new procedures for handling election and recall disputes, such as immediate hearings and the possibility of temporary injunctions to stay upcoming elections while challenges are pending. The bill clarifies that board members who are more than 90 days delinquent in assessments are deemed to have abandoned their office and modifies eligibility criteria for board membership, stating that individuals who are suspended or delinquent in payments cannot be candidates. It also introduces provisions for the appointment of election monitors by the Office of the Condominium Ombudsman and mandates that associations with 100 or more parcels post specific documents online. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of governance within community associations in Florida.

Statutes affected:
S 1600 Filed: 720.302, 720.311