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Article
Courtesy of Florida News
By Owen Girard
Published June 2, 2024
TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on
Tuesday improving hurricane hardening requirements, implementing new
regulations for homeowners associations and more.
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HB 293 – Hurricane
Protections for Homeowners’ Associations
The bill requires homeowners associations, also known as
HOAs, to implement hurricane protection specifications for
each structure or improvement built in their community.
It also prohibits the HOAs from denying an improvement or
new hurricane protection installation that a member is
attempting to put in on their property that fully complies
with the association’s requirements.
Hurricane protection improvements could include roofing,
storm shutters, impact-resistant windows and doors,
polycarbonate panels, reinforced garage doors, erosion
controls, exterior fixed generators and fuel storage tanks.
The bill was filed by Reps. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island,
and Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville. The Senate version was
filed by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill.
The legislation went into effect upon being signed by the
governor. |
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Devastating flooding and damage from Hurricane Idalia
in Cedar Key, Fla., Aug. 30, 2023.
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HB 59 – Provision of Homeowners Association Rules and
Covenants
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Kristen Arrington, D-Kissimmee, further
regulates HOAs by requiring they provide a full copy of their rules and
covenants to all members, either digitally or physically, by Oct. 1.
Additionally, whenever the rules and covenants are amended, all members must
be be given new copies.
The HOAs must also provide each new member a copy of the latest, up-to-date
rules and covenants when they officially join the association.
The bill’s Senate version was sponsored by Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando,
and it’s set to go into effect on July 1.
HB 481 – Building Construction Regulations and System Warranties
The bill expands the scope of work for certain HVAC system contractors to
include specified line-side repairs or replacements.
Additionally, it prohibits the conditioning of an HVAC system warranty on
product registration and specifies that the full length of a warranty’s
coverage term begins on the date a contractor installs the system.
Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City, sponsored the bill. Its Senate version was
filed by Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Palm Harbor. It’s set to go into effect on July
1.
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