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Article
Courtesy of The Floridian
By Michael Costeines
Published December 11, 2025
Rep. Juan Porras (R-Miami) has filed legislation in the
House to help improve "transparency, accountability, and fairness" for
Floridians frustrated with irritating homeowners' association procedures
this week.
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The legislation,
HB 657,
would erase pre-suit mediation requirements over disputes,
mandate HOAs update their governing documents with
up-to-date language, and establish a Community Association
Court Program to allow qualified arbitrators to look over
inquiries in an effort to provide a smoother path for
homeowners to resolve specific complaints.
"HB 657 puts homeowners first by creating a fair and
transparent system that finally addresses long-standing
issues in community governance," Porras said in a House
release.
According to the release, HB 657 also institutes a
first-of-its-kind legal framework for eliminating homeowners
associations if they become ineffective or unreliable to the
community's best interests. Specifically, the document
outlines requirements for termination, responsibilities of a
termination trustee, and ensures proper allocation of assets
and payments of lawful debts. |
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State Representative
Juan Carlos Porras
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For further accountability, the bill bans unlawful
actions by association officers while offering more protections for
homeowners during an association dispute. It would also provide more
transparency by requiring an annual report from each judicial circuit and
give administrative support through the State Courts Administrator,
including funding from the Department of Business and Professional
Regulation.
A Senate companion bill has not been filed.
Rep. Porras has been at the forefront of HOA reforms, including a bill filed
during the last Legislative session offering similar enforcement. That bill,
HB 983, died in the House Judiciary Committee before receiving a full floor
vote.
With HOA frustrations at a fever pitch for many Floridians, Rep. Porras's
bill could go a long way in providing some sense of relief. It may also be
one of the more important discussions for the Legislature to resolve, and
give Porras a signature victory to boot.
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