Tag: AB 1061

2009 California HOA Legislative Update

With the end of year upon us, I thought it would be a good time to post a summary some of the laws enacted in California during 2009 that impact our local homeowners associations. This is not a complete list of all new legislation, but rather brief summaries of the statutes I believe will have the biggest impact on California HOAs. The full impact of 2009 California legislation on an HOA will require a more detailed analysis. Any HOA that has questions on the impact of a new law should consult with their corporate counsel.

Just a BillWith the end of year upon us, I thought it would be a good time to post a summary some of the laws enacted in California during 2009 that impact our local homeowners associations. This is not a complete list of all new legislation, but rather brief summaries of the statutes I believe will have the biggest impact on California HOAs. The full impact of 2009 California legislation on an HOA will require a more detailed analysis. Any HOA that has questions on the impact of a new law should consult with their corporate counsel.

1. AB 313 (Fletcher) Assessments

This statute will allow those HOAs whose declarations allow assessments to be based on the assessed value of the individual separate interests to continue to assess in this fashion, but will prohibit other existing and newly formed HOAs to do so.

2. AB 899 (Torres) Disclosures

This statute imposes three new requirements on HOAs. The first requirement is that the title of the Assessment and Reserve Funding form disclosure must now include the ending date of the fiscal year for which it was prepared, and the form must disclose the rate of return and inflation rate assumptions used by HOA in its reserve planning.

The second requirement this statute places on HOAs relates to agreements by members to receive delivery of documents via email, facsimile or other electronic means.  Such agreements must now comply with consumer consent and disclosure requirements of California Corporations Code section 20, and the Federal E-Sign Statute, 15 U.S.C. section 7001(c)(1).

Lastly, this statute adds a new section to the Davis-Stirling Act, Civil Code, section 1363.005, which requires every Association to distribute, upon request by a member, a document disclosure index identifying the disclosures provided by the HOA, along with a reference to the Civil Code section requiring that disclosure.

3. AB 1061 (Lieu) Water-Efficient Landscapes

This statute is one I have written about before here on HOA Brief. This statute amends section 1353.8 of the Davis-Stirling Act, and restricts an HOA’s architectural standards and other governing documents from prohibiting or providing conditions that hinder or prohibit use of low-water usage plants. In addition, this statute requires compliance with local water ordinances.

4. AB 1233 (Silva)

AB 1233 amends the Non-Profit section of the California Corporations code relating to nonprofit mutual benefit corporations (most HOAs in California are non-profit mutual benefit corporations). Subject to certain limitations, AB 1233 authorizes the articles or bylaws to require the presence of one or more specified directors in order to constitute a quorum to transact business. In addition, this statute prohibits a committee exercising the authority of the board from including as members persons who are not directors of the corporation. However, the statute does not prevent a committee which is not exercising the authority of the board from including a non-board member on the committee.

In my opinion, this statute is also the most troubling for HOAs. This statute also alters the protections afforded directors where the HOA had appropriate insurance in place. Prior to the passage of this statute, existing law prohibited a cause of action for monetary damages from arising against any director or officer of a nonprofit corporation, who served without compensation, on account of any specified negligent act or omission if the HOA had a general liability insurance policy in a specified amount in force both at the time of the injury and at the time the claim was made. With the enactment of this bill those causes of action now are only prohibited if the HOA maintains a liability insurance policy that is applicable to the claim. That means that if a claim is not covered, the directors may face liability, despite the fact that there is a general liability policy in place. I fear this will have a negative impact on the ability of HOAs to get people to volunteer and serve as directors. This is already difficult enough. There are many communities where people refuse to serve, and there are perpetual openings on the board. Now people who already hesitate to serve will have another reason to refuse to do so.

California Bill Which Would Void CC&Rs Gathers Steam

Assembly Bill 1061 bill sailed through its first test Tuesday with unanimous approval from the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. Under the bill, homeowner association rules would be “void and unenforceable” if they restrict compliance with local landscaping ordinances or conservation measures.

low-water-landscapeAssembly Bill 1061 bill sailed through its first test Tuesday with unanimous approval from the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. Under the bill (previously covered here), homeowner association rules would be “void and unenforceable” if they restrict compliance with local landscaping ordinances or conservation measures.

While the goals of the bill may be admirable, it is written so broadly it could disrupt homeowner groups’ authority to review an individual homeowner’s landscaping plans that spell out the type, number and placement of plants.

Many people chose to live in developments with association rules because they like the appearance of common landscaping, architectural design and colors.  While the state may have an interest in conservation, it is hoped that the legislature will amend the bill to need to protect the interests of homeowners who purchase in a common interest development because they like the fact that the uniform rules help preserve property values, and improve the general appearance of a community.

I still suspect that the bill is largely unnecessary and disputes over the installation of drought tolerant plants are rare.  I would love to hear if anyone has been involved or is aware of such disputes within their association.

Proposed California Bill Lets Water Agency Trump Homeowners Association Rules

California’s AB 1061, introduced on February 27 by Assemblyman Ted Lieu would repeal a portion of the Davis-Stirling Act as it relates to water efficient plants.

landscaping-with-drought-tolerant-plants-2California’s AB 1061, introduced on February 27 by Assemblyman Ted Lieu would repeal a portion of the Davis-Stirling Act as it relates to water efficient plants.  Currently, the Davis-Stirling Act provides that the architectural guidelines of a common interest development shall not prohibit or include conditions that have the effect of prohibiting the use of low water-using plants as a group.  AB 1061 would enforce a model conservation ordinance that state officials plan to complete next year. Local water districts would be able to use the model ordinance as a blueprint for their own conservation rules.  As long as the water districts obey the model ordinance guidelines, anything in the rules of a community association development that conflicts with local water district’s regulations or restrictions would be “void and unenforceable.”

Water wholesaler Metropolitan Water District is sponsoring the legislation claiming the bill clarifies how homeowners can install water-efficient landscaping without running afoul of association rules. With California in a drought and rationing under way or looming in many districts, the agency claims it is looking for any way to stretch out its supplies. However, one has to wonder whether the bill is even necessary since there have only been isolated instances of conflicts between homeowner members eager to save water and associations that outlawed particular types of water-efficient landscaping.