Bill Text: FL H1195 | 2011 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Condominium/Cooperative/Homeowners' Associations

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-05-03 - Ordered enrolled -HJ 1103 [H1195 Detail]

Download: Florida-2011-H1195-Comm_Sub.html
CS/CS/HB 1195

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to condominium, cooperative, and
3homeowners' associations; amending s. 633.0215, F.S.;
4exempting certain residential buildings from a requirement
5to install a manual fire alarm system; amending s.
6718.111, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the
7official records of condominium associations; providing
8for disclosure of certain employment agreements with and
9compensation paid to association employees; amending s.
10718.112, F.S.; revising provisions relating to bylaws;
11providing that board of administration meetings discussing
12personnel matters are not open to unit owners; revising
13requirements for electing the board of directors;
14providing a definition; providing for continued office and
15for filling vacancies under certain circumstances;
16specifying unit owner eligibility for board membership;
17requiring that certain educational curriculum be completed
18within a specified time before or after the election or
19appointment of a board director; providing application;
20amending s. 718.113, F.S.; authorizing the board of a
21condominium association to install impact glass or other
22code-compliant windows under certain circumstances;
23amending s. 718.114, F.S.; requiring the vote or written
24consent of a majority of the total voting interests before
25a condominium association may enter into certain
26agreements to acquire leaseholds, memberships, or other
27possessory or use interests; amending s. 718.116, F.S.;
28revising provisions relating to condominium assessments;
29requiring any rent payments received by an association
30from a tenant to be applied to the unit owner's oldest
31delinquent monetary obligation; conforming a cross-
32reference; amending s. 718.117, F.S.; providing procedures
33and requirements for termination of a condominium property
34that has been totally destroyed or demolished; providing
35procedures and requirements for partial termination of a
36condominium property; requiring that a lien against a
37condominium unit being terminated be transferred to the
38proceeds of sale for certain portions of that property;
39amending s. 718.303, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
40imposing remedies against a delinquent unit owner or a
41unit owner's tenant, guest, or invitee; providing for the
42suspension of certain rights of use; revising provisions
43relating to the suspension of a member's voting rights;
44requiring that the suspension of certain rights of use and
45voting rights be approved at a noticed board meeting;
46amending s. 718.703, F.S.; redefining the term "bulk
47assignee" and revising the definition of the term "bulk
48buyer" for purposes of the Distressed Condominium Relief
49Act; amending s. 718.704, F.S.; revising provisions
50relating to the assignment and assumption of developer
51rights by a bulk assignee; amending s. 718.705, F.S.;
52revising provisions relating to the transfer of control of
53a condominium board of administration to unit owners;
54amending s. 718.706, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
55the offering of units by a bulk assignee or bulk buyer;
56amending s. 718.707, F.S.; revising the time limitation
57for classification as a bulk assignee or bulk buyer;
58amending s. 719.108, F.S.; requiring any rent payments
59received by a cooperative association from a tenant to be
60applied to the unit owner's oldest delinquent monetary
61obligation; amending s. 719.303, F.S.; revising provisions
62relating to imposing remedies against a delinquent unit
63owner or a unit owner's tenant, guest, or invitee;
64providing for the suspension of certain rights of use and
65voting rights; requiring that the suspension of certain
66rights of use and voting rights be approved at a noticed
67board meeting; amending s. 720.301, F.S.; revising the
68definition of the term "declaration of covenants";
69amending s. 720.303, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
70the rights of a member of a homeowners' association to
71speak at meetings of the board; revising provisions
72relating to records that are not accessible to members of
73a homeowners' association; providing for disclosure of
74employment agreements with and compensation paid to
75association employees; amending s. 720.305, F.S.; revising
76provisions relating to imposing remedies against a
77delinquent member of a homeowners' association or any
78member's tenant, guest, or invitee; providing for the
79suspension of certain rights of use; revising provisions
80relating to the suspension of a member's voting rights;
81requiring that the suspension of certain rights of use and
82voting rights be approved at a noticed board meeting;
83amending s. 720.306, F.S.; specifying additional
84requirements for candidates to be a member of the board of
85a homeowners' association; amending s. 720.3085, F.S.;
86requiring any rent payments received by an association
87from a tenant to be applied to the parcel owner's oldest
88delinquent monetary obligation; amending s. 720.309, F.S.;
89providing for the allocation of communications services by
90a homeowners' association; providing for the cancellation
91of communication contracts; providing that hearing-
92impaired or legally blind parcel owners and parcel owners
93receiving certain supplemental security income or food
94assistance may discontinue the service without incurring
95certain costs; providing that parcel residents may not be
96denied access to available franchised, licensed, or
97certificated cable or video service providers under
98certain circumstances; providing an effective date.
99
100Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
101
102     Section 1.  Subsection (14) of section 633.0215, Florida
103Statutes, is amended to read:
104     633.0215  Florida Fire Prevention Code.-
105     (14)  A condominium, cooperative, or multifamily
106residential building that is less than four one or two stories
107in height and has an exterior corridor providing a means of
108egress is exempt from installing a manual fire alarm system as
109required in s. 9.6 of the most recent edition of the Life Safety
110Code adopted in the Florida Fire Prevention Code. This
111subsection is intended to clarify existing law.
112     Section 2.  Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (12) of
113section 718.111, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
114     718.111  The association.-
115     (12)  OFFICIAL RECORDS.-
116     (a)  From the inception of the association, the association
117shall maintain each of the following items, if applicable, which
118constitutes shall constitute the official records of the
119association:
120     1.  A copy of the plans, permits, warranties, and other
121items provided by the developer pursuant to s. 718.301(4).
122     2.  A photocopy of the recorded declaration of condominium
123of each condominium operated by the association and of each
124amendment to each declaration.
125     3.  A photocopy of the recorded bylaws of the association
126and of each amendment to the bylaws.
127     4.  A certified copy of the articles of incorporation of
128the association, or other documents creating the association,
129and of each amendment thereto.
130     5.  A copy of the current rules of the association.
131     6.  A book or books that which contain the minutes of all
132meetings of the association, of the board of administration, and
133the of unit owners, which minutes must be retained for at least
1347 years.
135     7.  A current roster of all unit owners and their mailing
136addresses, unit identifications, voting certifications, and, if
137known, telephone numbers. The association shall also maintain
138the electronic mailing addresses and facsimile the numbers
139designated by unit owners for receiving notice sent by
140electronic transmission of those unit owners consenting to
141receive notice by electronic transmission. The electronic
142mailing addresses and facsimile telephone numbers are not
143accessible to unit owners must be removed from association
144records if consent to receive notice by electronic transmission
145is not provided in accordance with subparagraph (c)5 revoked.
146However, the association is not liable for an inadvertent
147erroneous disclosure of the electronic mail address or facsimile
148the number for receiving electronic transmission of notices.
149     8.  All current insurance policies of the association and
150condominiums operated by the association.
151     9.  A current copy of any management agreement, lease, or
152other contract to which the association is a party or under
153which the association or the unit owners have an obligation or
154responsibility.
155     10.  Bills of sale or transfer for all property owned by
156the association.
157     11.  Accounting records for the association and separate
158accounting records for each condominium that which the
159association operates. All accounting records must shall be
160maintained for at least 7 years. Any person who knowingly or
161intentionally defaces or destroys such accounting records
162required to be created and maintained by this chapter during the
163period for which such records are required to be maintained, or
164who knowingly or intentionally fails to create or maintain such
165records, with the intent of causing harm to the association or
166one or more of its members, is personally subject to a civil
167penalty pursuant to s. 718.501(1)(d). The accounting records
168must include, but are not limited to:
169     a.  Accurate, itemized, and detailed records of all
170receipts and expenditures.
171     b.  A current account and a monthly, bimonthly, or
172quarterly statement of the account for each unit designating the
173name of the unit owner, the due date and amount of each
174assessment, the amount paid on upon the account, and the balance
175due.
176     c.  All audits, reviews, accounting statements, and
177financial reports of the association or condominium.
178     d.  All contracts for work to be performed. Bids for work
179to be performed are also considered official records and must be
180maintained by the association.
181     12.  Ballots, sign-in sheets, voting proxies, and all other
182papers relating to voting by unit owners, which must be
183maintained for 1 year from the date of the election, vote, or
184meeting to which the document relates, notwithstanding paragraph
185(b).
186     13.  All rental records if the association is acting as
187agent for the rental of condominium units.
188     14.  A copy of the current question and answer sheet as
189described in s. 718.504.
190     15.  All other records of the association not specifically
191included in the foregoing which are related to the operation of
192the association.
193     16.  A copy of the inspection report as described provided
194in s. 718.301(4)(p).
195     (c)  The official records of the association are open to
196inspection by any association member or the authorized
197representative of such member at all reasonable times. The right
198to inspect the records includes the right to make or obtain
199copies, at the reasonable expense, if any, of the member. The
200association may adopt reasonable rules regarding the frequency,
201time, location, notice, and manner of record inspections and
202copying. The failure of an association to provide the records
203within 10 working days after receipt of a written request
204creates a rebuttable presumption that the association willfully
205failed to comply with this paragraph. A unit owner who is denied
206access to official records is entitled to the actual damages or
207minimum damages for the association's willful failure to comply.
208Minimum damages are shall be $50 per calendar day for up to 10
209days, beginning the calculation to begin on the 11th working day
210after receipt of the written request. The failure to permit
211inspection of the association records as provided herein
212entitles any person prevailing in an enforcement action to
213recover reasonable attorney's fees from the person in control of
214the records who, directly or indirectly, knowingly denied access
215to the records. Any person who knowingly or intentionally
216defaces or destroys accounting records that are required by this
217chapter to be maintained during the period for which such
218records are required to be maintained, or who knowingly or
219intentionally fails to create or maintain accounting records
220that are required to be created or maintained, with the intent
221of causing harm to the association or one or more of its
222members, is personally subject to a civil penalty pursuant to s.
223718.501(1)(d). The association shall maintain an adequate number
224of copies of the declaration, articles of incorporation, bylaws,
225and rules, and all amendments to each of the foregoing, as well
226as the question and answer sheet as described provided for in s.
227718.504 and year-end financial information required under in
228this section, on the condominium property to ensure their
229availability to unit owners and prospective purchasers, and may
230charge its actual costs for preparing and furnishing these
231documents to those requesting the documents. Notwithstanding the
232provisions of this paragraph, the following records are not
233accessible to unit owners:
234     1.  Any record protected by the lawyer-client privilege as
235described in s. 90.502; and any record protected by the work-
236product privilege, including a any record prepared by an
237association attorney or prepared at the attorney's express
238direction,; which reflects a mental impression, conclusion,
239litigation strategy, or legal theory of the attorney or the
240association, and which was prepared exclusively for civil or
241criminal litigation or for adversarial administrative
242proceedings, or which was prepared in anticipation of such
243imminent civil or criminal litigation or imminent adversarial
244administrative proceedings until the conclusion of the
245litigation or adversarial administrative proceedings.
246     2.  Information obtained by an association in connection
247with the approval of the lease, sale, or other transfer of a
248unit.
249     3.  Personnel records of association or management company
250employees, including, but not limited to, disciplinary, payroll,
251health, and insurance records. For purposes of this
252subparagraph, the term "personnel records" does not include
253written employment agreements with an association employee or
254management company, or budgetary or financial records that
255indicate the compensation paid to an association employee.
256     4.  Medical records of unit owners.
257     5.  Social security numbers, driver's license numbers,
258credit card numbers, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers,
259facsimile numbers, emergency contact information, any addresses
260of a unit owner other than as provided to fulfill the
261association's notice requirements, and other personal
262identifying information of any person, excluding the person's
263name, unit designation, mailing address, and property address,
264and any address, e-mail address, or facsimile number provided to
265the association to fulfill the association's notice
266requirements. However, an owner may consent in writing to the
267disclosure of protected information described in this
268subparagraph. The association is not liable for the inadvertent
269disclosure of information that is protected under this
270subparagraph if the information is included in an official
271record of the association and is voluntarily provided by an
272owner and not requested by the association.
273     6.  Any Electronic security measures measure that are is
274used by the association to safeguard data, including passwords.
275     7.  The software and operating system used by the
276association which allow the allows manipulation of data, even if
277the owner owns a copy of the same software used by the
278association. The data is part of the official records of the
279association.
280     Section 3.  Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (2)
281of section 718.112, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
282     718.112  Bylaws.-
283     (2)  REQUIRED PROVISIONS.-The bylaws shall provide for the
284following and, if they do not do so, shall be deemed to include
285the following:
286     (b)  Quorum; voting requirements; proxies.-
287     1.  Unless a lower number is provided in the bylaws, the
288percentage of voting interests required to constitute a quorum
289at a meeting of the members is shall be a majority of the voting
290interests. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter or in the
291declaration, articles of incorporation, or bylaws, and except as
292provided in subparagraph (d)4. (d)3., decisions shall be made by
293owners of a majority of the voting interests represented at a
294meeting at which a quorum is present.
295     2.  Except as specifically otherwise provided herein, after
296January 1, 1992, unit owners may not vote by general proxy, but
297may vote by limited proxies substantially conforming to a
298limited proxy form adopted by the division. A No voting interest
299or consent right allocated to a unit owned by the association
300may not shall be exercised or considered for any purpose,
301whether for a quorum, an election, or otherwise. Limited proxies
302and general proxies may be used to establish a quorum. Limited
303proxies shall be used for votes taken to waive or reduce
304reserves in accordance with subparagraph (f)2.; for votes taken
305to waive the financial reporting requirements of s. 718.111(13);
306for votes taken to amend the declaration pursuant to s. 718.110;
307for votes taken to amend the articles of incorporation or bylaws
308pursuant to this section; and for any other matter for which
309this chapter requires or permits a vote of the unit owners.
310Except as provided in paragraph (d), a after January 1, 1992, no
311proxy, limited or general, may not shall be used in the election
312of board members. General proxies may be used for other matters
313for which limited proxies are not required, and may also be used
314in voting for nonsubstantive changes to items for which a
315limited proxy is required and given. Notwithstanding the
316provisions of this subparagraph, unit owners may vote in person
317at unit owner meetings. This subparagraph does not Nothing
318contained herein shall limit the use of general proxies or
319require the use of limited proxies for any agenda item or
320election at any meeting of a timeshare condominium association.
321     3.  Any proxy given is shall be effective only for the
322specific meeting for which originally given and any lawfully
323adjourned meetings thereof. A In no event shall any proxy is not
324be valid for a period longer than 90 days after the date of the
325first meeting for which it was given. Every proxy is revocable
326at any time at the pleasure of the unit owner executing it.
327     4.  A member of the board of administration or a committee
328may submit in writing his or her agreement or disagreement with
329any action taken at a meeting that the member did not attend.
330This agreement or disagreement may not be used as a vote for or
331against the action taken or to create and may not be used for
332the purposes of creating a quorum.
333     5.  If When any of the board or committee members meet by
334telephone conference, those board or committee members attending
335by telephone conference may be counted toward obtaining a quorum
336and may vote by telephone. A telephone speaker must be used so
337that the conversation of those board or committee members
338attending by telephone may be heard by the board or committee
339members attending in person as well as by any unit owners
340present at a meeting.
341     (c)  Board of administration meetings.-Meetings of the
342board of administration at which a quorum of the members is
343present are shall be open to all unit owners. A Any unit owner
344may tape record or videotape the meetings of the board of
345administration. The right to attend such meetings includes the
346right to speak at such meetings with reference to all designated
347agenda items. The division shall adopt reasonable rules
348governing the tape recording and videotaping of the meeting. The
349association may adopt written reasonable rules governing the
350frequency, duration, and manner of unit owner statements.
351     1.  Adequate notice of all board meetings, which must
352notice shall specifically identify all incorporate an
353identification of agenda items, must shall be posted
354conspicuously on the condominium property at least 48 continuous
355hours before preceding the meeting except in an emergency. If 20
356percent of the voting interests petition the board to address an
357item of business, the board shall at its next regular board
358meeting or at a special meeting of the board, but not later than
35960 days after the receipt of the petition, shall place the item
360on the agenda. Any item not included on the notice may be taken
361up on an emergency basis by at least a majority plus one of the
362board members of the board. Such emergency action must shall be
363noticed and ratified at the next regular board meeting of the
364board. However, written notice of any meeting at which
365nonemergency special assessments, or at which amendment to rules
366regarding unit use, will be considered must shall be mailed,
367delivered, or electronically transmitted to the unit owners and
368posted conspicuously on the condominium property at least not
369less than 14 days before prior to the meeting. Evidence of
370compliance with this 14-day notice requirement must shall be
371made by an affidavit executed by the person providing the notice
372and filed with among the official records of the association.
373Upon notice to the unit owners, the board shall, by duly adopted
374rule, designate a specific location on the condominium property
375or association property where upon which all notices of board
376meetings are to shall be posted. If there is no condominium
377property or association property where upon which notices can be
378posted, notices of board meetings shall be mailed, delivered, or
379electronically transmitted at least 14 days before the meeting
380to the owner of each unit. In lieu of or in addition to the
381physical posting of the notice of any meeting of the board of
382administration on the condominium property, the association may,
383by reasonable rule, adopt a procedure for conspicuously posting
384and repeatedly broadcasting the notice and the agenda on a
385closed-circuit cable television system serving the condominium
386association. However, if broadcast notice is used in lieu of a
387notice posted physically posted on the condominium property, the
388notice and agenda must be broadcast at least four times every
389broadcast hour of each day that a posted notice is otherwise
390required under this section. If When broadcast notice is
391provided, the notice and agenda must be broadcast in a manner
392and for a sufficient continuous length of time so as to allow an
393average reader to observe the notice and read and comprehend the
394entire content of the notice and the agenda. Notice of any
395meeting in which regular or special assessments against unit
396owners are to be considered for any reason must shall
397specifically state that assessments will be considered and
398provide the nature, estimated cost, and description of the
399purposes for such assessments.
400     2.  Meetings of a committee to take final action on behalf
401of the board or make recommendations to the board regarding the
402association budget are subject to the provisions of this
403paragraph. Meetings of a committee that does not take final
404action on behalf of the board or make recommendations to the
405board regarding the association budget are subject to the
406provisions of this section, unless those meetings are exempted
407from this section by the bylaws of the association.
408     3.  Notwithstanding any other law, the requirement that
409board meetings and committee meetings be open to the unit owners
410does not apply is inapplicable to:
411     a.  Meetings between the board or a committee and the
412association's attorney, with respect to proposed or pending
413litigation, if when the meeting is held for the purpose of
414seeking or rendering legal advice; or
415     b.  Board meetings held for the purpose of discussing
416personnel matters.
417     (d)  Unit owner meetings.-
418     1.  An annual meeting of the unit owners shall be held at
419the location provided in the association bylaws and, if the
420bylaws are silent as to the location, the meeting shall be held
421within 45 miles of the condominium property. However, such
422distance requirement does not apply to an association governing
423a timeshare condominium.
424     2.  Unless the bylaws provide otherwise, a vacancy on the
425board caused by the expiration of a director's term shall be
426filled by electing a new board member, and the election must be
427by secret ballot. An election is not required However, if the
428number of vacancies equals or exceeds the number of candidates,
429an election is not required. For purposes of this paragraph, the
430term "candidate" means an eligible person who has timely
431submitted the written notice, as described in sub-subparagraph
4324.a., of his or her intention to become a candidate. Except in a
433timeshare condominium, or if the staggered term of a board
434member does not expire until a later annual meeting, or if all
435members terms would otherwise expire but there are no
436candidates, the terms of all board members of the board expire
437at the annual meeting, and such board members may stand for
438reelection unless prohibited otherwise permitted by the bylaws.
439If the bylaws permit staggered terms of no more than 2 years and
440upon approval of a majority of the total voting interests, the
441association board members may serve 2-year staggered terms. If
442the number of board members whose terms expire at the annual
443meeting equals or have expired exceeds the number of candidates,
444the candidates become members of the board effective upon the
445adjournment of the annual meeting. Unless the bylaws provide
446otherwise, any remaining vacancies shall be filled by the
447affirmative vote of the majority of the directors making up the
448newly constituted board even if the directors constitute less
449than a quorum or there is only one director eligible members
450showing interest in or demonstrating an intention to run for the
451vacant positions, each board member whose term has expired is
452eligible for reappointment to the board of administration and
453need not stand for reelection. In a condominium association of
454more than 10 units or in a condominium association that does not
455include timeshare units or timeshare interests, coowners of a
456unit may not serve as members of the board of directors at the
457same time unless they own more than one unit or unless there are
458not enough eligible candidates to fill the vacancies on the
459board at the time of the vacancy. Any unit owner desiring to be
460a candidate for board membership must comply with sub-
461subparagraph 4.a. and must be eligible to serve on the board of
462directors at the time of the deadline for submitting a notice of
463intent to run in order to have his or her name listed as a
464proper candidate on the ballot or to serve on the board 3.a. A
465person who has been suspended or removed by the division under
466this chapter, or who is delinquent in the payment of any fee,
467fine, or special or regular assessment as provided in paragraph
468(n), is not eligible for board membership. A person who has been
469convicted of any felony in this state or in a United States
470District or Territorial Court, or who has been convicted of any
471offense in another jurisdiction which that would be considered a
472felony if committed in this state, is not eligible for board
473membership unless such felon's civil rights have been restored
474for at least 5 years as of the date on which such person seeks
475election to the board. The validity of an action by the board is
476not affected if it is later determined that a board member of
477the board is ineligible for board membership due to having been
478convicted of a felony.
479     3.2.  The bylaws must provide the method of calling
480meetings of unit owners, including annual meetings. Written
481notice, which must include an agenda, must shall be mailed, hand
482delivered, or electronically transmitted to each unit owner at
483least 14 days before the annual meeting, and must be posted in a
484conspicuous place on the condominium property at least 14
485continuous days before preceding the annual meeting. Upon notice
486to the unit owners, the board shall, by duly adopted rule,
487designate a specific location on the condominium property or
488association property where upon which all notices of unit owner
489meetings shall be posted. This requirement does not apply
490However, if there is no condominium property or association
491property for posting upon which notices can be posted, this
492requirement does not apply. In lieu of, or in addition to, the
493physical posting of meeting notices, the association may, by
494reasonable rule, adopt a procedure for conspicuously posting and
495repeatedly broadcasting the notice and the agenda on a closed-
496circuit cable television system serving the condominium
497association. However, if broadcast notice is used in lieu of a
498notice posted physically on the condominium property, the notice
499and agenda must be broadcast at least four times every broadcast
500hour of each day that a posted notice is otherwise required
501under this section. If broadcast notice is provided, the notice
502and agenda must be broadcast in a manner and for a sufficient
503continuous length of time so as to allow an average reader to
504observe the notice and read and comprehend the entire content of
505the notice and the agenda. Unless a unit owner waives in writing
506the right to receive notice of the annual meeting, such notice
507must be hand delivered, mailed, or electronically transmitted to
508each unit owner. Notice for meetings and notice for all other
509purposes must be mailed to each unit owner at the address last
510furnished to the association by the unit owner, or hand
511delivered to each unit owner. However, if a unit is owned by
512more than one person, the association must shall provide notice,
513for meetings and all other purposes, to the that one address
514that which the developer initially identifies for that purpose
515and thereafter as one or more of the owners of the unit shall
516advise the association in writing, or if no address is given or
517the owners of the unit do not agree, to the address provided on
518the deed of record. An officer of the association, or the
519manager or other person providing notice of the association
520meeting, must shall provide an affidavit or United States Postal
521Service certificate of mailing, to be included in the official
522records of the association affirming that the notice was mailed
523or hand delivered, in accordance with this provision.
524     4.3.  The members of the board shall be elected by written
525ballot or voting machine. Proxies may not be used in electing
526the board in general elections or elections to fill vacancies
527caused by recall, resignation, or otherwise, unless otherwise
528provided in this chapter.
529     a.  At least 60 days before a scheduled election, the
530association shall mail, deliver, or electronically transmit,
531whether by separate association mailing or included in another
532association mailing, delivery, or transmission, including
533regularly published newsletters, to each unit owner entitled to
534a vote, a first notice of the date of the election. Any unit
535owner or other eligible person desiring to be a candidate for
536the board must give written notice of his or her intent to be a
537candidate to the association at least 40 days before a scheduled
538election. Together with the written notice and agenda as set
539forth in subparagraph 3. 2., the association shall mail,
540deliver, or electronically transmit a second notice of the
541election to all unit owners entitled to vote, together with a
542ballot that lists all candidates. Upon request of a candidate,
543an information sheet, no larger than 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches,
544which must be furnished by the candidate at least 35 days before
545the election, must be included with the mailing, delivery, or
546transmission of the ballot, with the costs of mailing, delivery,
547or electronic transmission and copying to be borne by the
548association. The association is not liable for the contents of
549the information sheets prepared by the candidates. In order to
550reduce costs, the association may print or duplicate the
551information sheets on both sides of the paper. The division
552shall by rule establish voting procedures consistent with this
553sub-subparagraph, including rules establishing procedures for
554giving notice by electronic transmission and rules providing for
555the secrecy of ballots. Elections shall be decided by a
556plurality of those ballots cast. There is no quorum requirement;
557however, at least 20 percent of the eligible voters must cast a
558ballot in order to have a valid election of members of the
559board. A unit owner may not permit any other person to vote his
560or her ballot, and any ballots improperly cast are invalid. A,
561provided any unit owner who violates this provision may be fined
562by the association in accordance with s. 718.303. A unit owner
563who needs assistance in casting the ballot for the reasons
564stated in s. 101.051 may obtain such assistance. The regular
565election must occur on the date of the annual meeting. This sub-
566subparagraph does not apply to timeshare condominium
567associations. Notwithstanding this sub-subparagraph, an election
568is not required unless more candidates file notices of intent to
569run or are nominated than board vacancies exist.
570     b.  Within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the
571board, each newly elected or appointed director shall certify in
572writing to the secretary of the association that he or she has
573read the association's declaration of condominium, articles of
574incorporation, bylaws, and current written policies; that he or
575she will work to uphold such documents and policies to the best
576of his or her ability; and that he or she will faithfully
577discharge his or her fiduciary responsibility to the
578association's members. In lieu of this written certification,
579within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the board,
580the newly elected or appointed director may submit a certificate
581of having satisfactorily completed satisfactory completion of
582the educational curriculum administered by a division-approved
583condominium education provider within 1 year before or 90 days
584after the date of election or appointment. The written
585certification or educational certificate is valid and does not
586have to be resubmitted as long as the director serves on the
587board without interruption. A director who fails to timely file
588the written certification or educational certificate is
589suspended from service on the board until he or she complies
590with this sub-subparagraph. The board may temporarily fill the
591vacancy during the period of suspension. The secretary shall
592cause the association to retain a director's written
593certification or educational certificate for inspection by the
594members for 5 years after a director's election. Failure to have
595such written certification or educational certificate on file
596does not affect the validity of any board action. This chapter
597does not limit the use of general or limited proxies, require
598the use of general or limited proxies, or require the use of a
599written ballot or voting machine for any agenda item or election
600at any meeting of a timeshare condominium association.
601     5.4.  Any approval by unit owners called for by this
602chapter or the applicable declaration or bylaws, including, but
603not limited to, the approval requirement in s. 718.111(8), must
604shall be made at a duly noticed meeting of unit owners and is
605subject to all requirements of this chapter or the applicable
606condominium documents relating to unit owner decisionmaking,
607except that unit owners may take action by written agreement,
608without meetings, on matters for which action by written
609agreement without meetings is expressly allowed by the
610applicable bylaws or declaration or any law statute that
611provides for such action.
612     6.5.  Unit owners may waive notice of specific meetings if
613allowed by the applicable bylaws or declaration or any law
614statute. If authorized by the bylaws, notice of meetings of the
615board of administration, unit owner meetings, except unit owner
616meetings called to recall board members under paragraph (j), and
617committee meetings may be given by electronic transmission to
618unit owners who consent to receive notice by electronic
619transmission.
620     7.6.  Unit owners shall have the right to participate in
621meetings of unit owners with reference to all designated agenda
622items. However, the association may adopt reasonable rules
623governing the frequency, duration, and manner of unit owner
624participation.
625     8.7.  A Any unit owner may tape record or videotape a
626meeting of the unit owners subject to reasonable rules adopted
627by the division.
628     9.8.  Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, any vacancy
629occurring on the board before the expiration of a term may be
630filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining
631directors, even if the remaining directors constitute less than
632a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. In the alternative,
633a board may hold an election to fill the vacancy, in which case
634the election procedures must conform to the requirements of sub-
635subparagraph 4.a. 3.a. unless the association governs 10 units
636or fewer and has opted out of the statutory election process, in
637which case the bylaws of the association control. Unless
638otherwise provided in the bylaws, a board member appointed or
639elected under this section shall fill the vacancy for the
640unexpired term of the seat being filled. Filling vacancies
641created by recall is governed by paragraph (j) and rules adopted
642by the division.
643
644Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)2. and sub-subparagraph 4.a.
645(d)3.a., an association of 10 or fewer units may, by affirmative
646vote of a majority of the total voting interests, provide for
647different voting and election procedures in its bylaws, which
648vote may be by a proxy specifically delineating the different
649voting and election procedures. The different voting and
650election procedures may provide for elections to be conducted by
651limited or general proxy.
652     Section 4.  Subsection (5) of section 718.113, Florida
653Statutes, is amended to read:
654     718.113  Maintenance; limitation upon improvement; display
655of flag; hurricane shutters; display of religious decorations.-
656     (5)  Each board of administration shall adopt hurricane
657shutter specifications for each building within each condominium
658operated by the association which shall include color, style,
659and other factors deemed relevant by the board. All
660specifications adopted by the board must shall comply with the
661applicable building code.
662     (a)  The board may, subject to the provisions of s.
663718.3026, and the approval of a majority of voting interests of
664the condominium, install hurricane shutters, impact glass or
665other code-compliant windows, or hurricane protection that
666complies with or exceeds the applicable building code. However,
667or both, except that a vote of the owners is not required if the
668maintenance, repair, and replacement of hurricane shutters,
669impact glass, or other code-compliant windows or other forms of
670hurricane protection are the responsibility of the association
671pursuant to the declaration of condominium. If However, where
672hurricane protection or laminated glass or window film
673architecturally designed to function as hurricane protection
674which complies with or exceeds the current applicable building
675code has been previously installed, the board may not install
676hurricane shutters, or other hurricane protection, or impact
677glass or other code-compliant windows except upon approval by a
678majority vote of the voting interests.
679     (b)  The association is shall be responsible for the
680maintenance, repair, and replacement of the hurricane shutters
681or other hurricane protection authorized by this subsection if
682such hurricane shutters or other hurricane protection is the
683responsibility of the association pursuant to the declaration of
684condominium. If the hurricane shutters or other hurricane
685protection authorized by this subsection are the responsibility
686of the unit owners pursuant to the declaration of condominium,
687the responsibility for the maintenance, repair, and replacement
688of such items are shall be the responsibility of the unit owner.
689     (c)  The board may operate shutters installed pursuant to
690this subsection without permission of the unit owners only if
691where such operation is necessary to preserve and protect the
692condominium property and association property. The installation,
693replacement, operation, repair, and maintenance of such shutters
694in accordance with the procedures set forth in this paragraph
695are herein shall not be deemed a material alteration to the
696common elements or association property within the meaning of
697this section.
698     (d)  Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in
699the condominium documents, if approval is required by the
700documents, a board may shall not refuse to approve the
701installation or replacement of hurricane shutters by a unit
702owner conforming to the specifications adopted by the board.
703     Section 5.  Section 718.114, Florida Statutes, is amended
704to read:
705     718.114  Association powers.-An association may has the
706power to enter into agreements, to acquire leaseholds,
707memberships, and other possessory or use interests in lands or
708facilities such as country clubs, golf courses, marinas, and
709other recreational facilities,. It has this power whether or not
710the lands or facilities are contiguous to the lands of the
711condominium, if such lands and facilities they are intended to
712provide enjoyment, recreation, or other use or benefit to the
713unit owners. All of these leaseholds, memberships, and other
714possessory or use interests existing or created at the time of
715recording the declaration must be stated and fully described in
716the declaration. Subsequent to the recording of the declaration,
717agreements acquiring these leaseholds, memberships, or other
718possessory or use interests which are not entered into within 12
719months following the recording of the declaration are shall be
720considered a material alteration or substantial addition to the
721real property that is association property, and the association
722may not acquire or enter into such agreements acquiring these
723leaseholds, memberships, or other possessory or use interests
724except upon a vote of, or written consent by, a majority of the
725total voting interests or as authorized by the declaration as
726provided in s. 718.113. The declaration may provide that the
727rental, membership fees, operations, replacements, and other
728expenses are common expenses and may impose covenants and
729restrictions concerning their use and may contain other
730provisions not inconsistent with this chapter. A condominium
731association may conduct bingo games as provided in s. 849.0931.
732     Section 6.  Subsection (3), paragraph (b) of subsection
733(5), and subsection (11) of section 718.116, Florida Statutes,
734are amended to read:
735     718.116  Assessments; liability; lien and priority;
736interest; collection.-
737     (3)  Assessments and installments on assessments which are
738not paid when due bear interest at the rate provided in the
739declaration, from the due date until paid. The This rate may not
740exceed the rate allowed by law, and, if no rate is provided in
741the declaration, interest accrues at the rate of 18 percent per
742year. Also, If provided by the declaration or bylaws, the
743association may, in addition to such interest, charge an
744administrative late fee of up to the greater of $25 or 5 percent
745of each installment of the assessment for each delinquent
746installment for which the payment is late. Any payment received
747by an association must be applied first to any interest accrued
748by the association, then to any administrative late fee, then to
749any costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in collection,
750and then to the delinquent assessment. The foregoing is
751applicable notwithstanding any restrictive endorsement,
752designation, or instruction placed on or accompanying a payment.
753A late fee is not subject to chapter 687 or s. 718.303(4)(3).
754     (5)
755     (b)  To be valid, a claim of lien must state the
756description of the condominium parcel, the name of the record
757owner, the name and address of the association, the amount due,
758and the due dates. It must be executed and acknowledged by an
759officer or authorized agent of the association. The lien is not
760effective longer than 1 year after the claim of lien was
761recorded unless, within that time, an action to enforce the lien
762is commenced. The 1-year period is automatically extended for
763any length of time during which the association is prevented
764from filing a foreclosure action by an automatic stay resulting
765from a bankruptcy petition filed by the parcel owner or any
766other person claiming an interest in the parcel. The claim of
767lien secures all unpaid assessments that are due and that may
768accrue after the claim of lien is recorded and through the entry
769of a final judgment, as well as interest and all reasonable
770costs and attorney's fees incurred by the association incident
771to the collection process. Upon payment in full, the person
772making the payment is entitled to a satisfaction of the lien.
773
774After notice of contest of lien has been recorded, the clerk of
775the circuit court shall mail a copy of the recorded notice to
776the association by certified mail, return receipt requested, at
777the address shown in the claim of lien or most recent amendment
778to it and shall certify to the service on the face of the
779notice. Service is complete upon mailing. After service, the
780association has 90 days in which to file an action to enforce
781the lien; and, if the action is not filed within the 90-day
782period, the lien is void. However, the 90-day period shall be
783extended for any length of time during which that the
784association is prevented from filing its action because of an
785automatic stay resulting from the filing of a bankruptcy
786petition by the unit owner or by any other person claiming an
787interest in the parcel.
788     (11)  If the unit is occupied by a tenant and the unit
789owner is delinquent in paying any monetary obligation due to the
790association, the association may make a written demand that the
791tenant pay rent to the association the future monetary
792obligations related to the condominium unit to the association,
793and continue to the tenant must make such payments until all
794monetary obligations of the unit owner related to the unit have
795been paid in full to the association payment. The demand is
796continuing in nature and, upon demand, The tenant must pay the
797monetary obligations to the association until the association
798releases the tenant or the tenant discontinues tenancy in the
799unit. The association must mail written notice to the unit owner
800of the association's demand that the tenant make payments to the
801association. The association shall, upon request, provide the
802tenant with written receipts for payments made. A tenant who
803acts in good faith in response to a written demand from an
804association is immune from any claim by from the unit owner
805related to the rent once the association has made written
806demand. Any payment received from a tenant must be applied to
807the unit owner's oldest delinquent monetary obligation.
808     (a)  If the tenant paid prepaid rent to the unit owner for
809a given rental period before receiving the demand from the
810association and provides written evidence of prepaying paying
811the rent to the association within 14 days after receiving the
812demand, the tenant shall receive credit for the prepaid rent for
813the applicable period but and must make any subsequent rental
814payments to the association to be credited against the monetary
815obligations of the unit owner to the association.
816     (b)  The tenant is not liable for increases in the amount
817of the monetary obligations due unless the tenant was notified
818in writing of the increase at least 10 days before the date the
819rent is due. The liability of the tenant may not exceed the
820amount due from the tenant to the tenant's landlord. The
821tenant's landlord shall provide the tenant a credit against
822rents due to the unit owner in the amount of moneys paid to the
823association under this section.
824     (c)  The association may issue notices under s. 83.56 and
825may sue for eviction under ss. 83.59-83.625 as if the
826association were a landlord under part II of chapter 83 if the
827tenant fails to pay a required payment to the association.
828However, the association is not otherwise considered a landlord
829under chapter 83 and specifically has no obligations duties
830under s. 83.51.
831     (d)  The tenant does not, by virtue of payment of rent
832monetary obligations to the association, have any of the rights
833of a unit owner to vote in any election or to examine the books
834and records of the association.
835     (e)  A court may supersede the effect of this subsection by
836appointing a receiver.
837     Section 7.  Subsections (2), (3), (4), and (11), paragraphs
838(a) and (d) of subsection (12), subsection (14), paragraph (a)
839of subsection (17), and subsections (18) and (19) of section
840718.117, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
841     718.117  Termination of condominium.-
842     (2)  TERMINATION BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC WASTE OR
843IMPOSSIBILITY.-
844     (a)  Notwithstanding any provision in the declaration, the
845condominium form of ownership of a property may be terminated by
846a plan of termination approved by the lesser of the lowest
847percentage of voting interests necessary to amend the
848declaration or as otherwise provided in the declaration for
849approval of termination if:
850     1.  The total estimated cost of construction or repairs
851necessary to construct the intended improvements or restore the
852improvements to their former condition or bring them into
853compliance with applicable laws or regulations exceeds the
854combined fair market value of the units in the condominium after
855completion of the construction or repairs; or
856     2.  It becomes impossible to operate or reconstruct a
857condominium to its prior physical configuration because of land
858use laws or regulations.
859     (b)  Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a condominium in which
86075 percent or more of the units are timeshare units may be
861terminated only pursuant to a plan of termination approved by 80
862percent of the total voting interests of the association and the
863holders of 80 percent of the original principal amount of
864outstanding recorded mortgage liens of timeshare estates in the
865condominium, unless the declaration provides for a lower voting
866percentage.
867     (c)  Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a condominium that
868includes units and timeshare estates where the improvements have
869been totally destroyed or demolished may be terminated pursuant
870to a plan of termination proposed by a unit owner upon the
871filing of a petition in court seeking equitable relief. Within
87210 days after the filing of a petition as provided in this
873paragraph and in lieu of the requirements of paragraph (15)(a),
874the petitioner shall record the proposed plan of termination and
875mail a copy of the proposed plan and a copy of the petition to:
876     1.  If the association has not been dissolved as a matter
877of law, each member of the board of directors of the association
878identified in the most recent annual report filed with the
879Department of State and the registered agent of the association;
880     2.  The managing entity as defined in s. 721.05(22);
881     3.  Each unit owner and each timeshare estate owner at the
882address reflected in the official records of the association,
883or, if the association records cannot be obtained by the
884petitioner, each unit owner and each timeshare estate owner at
885the address listed in the office of the tax collector for tax
886notices; and
887     4.  Each holder of a recorded mortgage lien affecting a
888unit or timeshare estate at the address appearing on the
889recorded mortgage or any recorded assignment thereof.
890
891The association, if it has not been dissolved as a matter of
892law, acting as class representative, or the managing entity as
893defined in s. 721.05(22), any unit owner, any timeshare estate
894owner, or any holder of a recorded mortgage lien affecting a
895unit or timeshare estate may intervene in the proceedings to
896contest the proposed plan of termination brought pursuant to
897this paragraph. The provisions of subsection (9), to the extent
898inconsistent with this paragraph, and subsection (16) are not
899applicable to a party contesting a plan of termination under
900this paragraph. If no party intervenes to contest the proposed
901plan within 45 days after the filing of the petition, the
902petitioner may move the court to enter a final judgment to
903authorize implementation of the plan of termination. If a party
904timely intervenes to contest the proposed plan, the plan may not
905be implemented until a final judgment has been entered by the
906court finding that the proposed plan of termination is fair and
907reasonable and authorizing implementation of the plan.
908     (3)  OPTIONAL TERMINATION.-Except as provided in subsection
909(2) or unless the declaration provides for a lower percentage,
910the condominium form of ownership of the property may be
911terminated for all or a portion of the condominium property
912pursuant to a plan of termination approved by at least 80
913percent of the total voting interests of the condominium if no
914not more than 10 percent of the total voting interests of the
915condominium have rejected the plan of termination by negative
916vote or by providing written objections thereto. This subsection
917does not apply to condominiums in which 75 percent or more of
918the units are timeshare units.
919     (4)  EXEMPTION.-A plan of termination is not an amendment
920subject to s. 718.110(4). In a partial termination, a plan of
921termination is not an amendment subject to s. 718.110(4) if the
922ownership share of the common elements of a surviving unit in
923the condominium remains in the same proportion to the surviving
924units as it was before the partial termination.
925     (11)  PLAN OF TERMINATION; OPTIONAL PROVISIONS; CONDITIONAL
926TERMINATION.-
927     (a)  The plan of termination may provide that each unit
928owner retains the exclusive right of possession to the portion
929of the real estate which that formerly constituted the unit if,
930in which case the plan specifies must specify the conditions of
931possession. In a partial termination, the plan of termination as
932specified in subsection (10) must also identify the units that
933survive the partial termination and provide that such units
934remain in the condominium form of ownership pursuant to an
935amendment to the declaration of condominium or an amended and
936restated declaration. In a partial termination, title to the
937surviving units and common elements that remain part of the
938condominium property specified in the plan of termination remain
939vested in the ownership shown in the public records and do not
940vest in the termination trustee.
941     (b)  In a conditional termination, the plan must specify
942the conditions for termination. A conditional plan does not vest
943title in the termination trustee until the plan and a
944certificate executed by the association with the formalities of
945a deed, confirming that the conditions in the conditional plan
946have been satisfied or waived by the requisite percentage of the
947voting interests, have been recorded. In a partial termination,
948the plan does not vest title to the surviving units or common
949elements that remain part of the condominium property in the
950termination trustee.
951     (12)  ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE OF CONDOMINIUM
952PROPERTY.-
953     (a)  Unless the declaration expressly provides for the
954allocation of the proceeds of sale of condominium property, the
955plan of termination must first apportion the proceeds between
956the aggregate value of all units and the value of the common
957elements, based on their respective fair market values
958immediately before the termination, as determined by one or more
959independent appraisers selected by the association or
960termination trustee. In a partial termination, the aggregate
961values of the units and common elements that are being
962terminated must be separately determined, and the plan of
963termination must specify the allocation of the proceeds of sale
964for the units and common elements.
965     (d)  Liens that encumber a unit shall be transferred to the
966proceeds of sale of the condominium property and the proceeds of
967sale or other distribution of association property, common
968surplus, or other association assets attributable to such unit
969in their same priority. In a partial termination, liens that
970encumber a unit being terminated must be transferred to the
971proceeds of sale of that portion of the condominium property
972being terminated which are attributable to such unit. The
973proceeds of any sale of condominium property pursuant to a plan
974of termination may not be deemed to be common surplus or
975association property.
976     (14)  TITLE VESTED IN TERMINATION TRUSTEE.-If termination
977is pursuant to a plan of termination under subsection (2) or
978subsection (3), the unit owners' rights and title to as tenants
979in common in undivided interests in the condominium property
980being terminated vests vest in the termination trustee when the
981plan is recorded or at a later date specified in the plan. The
982unit owners thereafter become the beneficiaries of the proceeds
983realized from the plan of termination as set forth in the plan.
984The termination trustee may deal with the condominium property
985being terminated or any interest therein if the plan confers on
986the trustee the authority to protect, conserve, manage, sell, or
987dispose of the condominium property. The trustee, on behalf of
988the unit owners, may contract for the sale of real property
989being terminated, but the contract is not binding on the unit
990owners until the plan is approved pursuant to subsection (2) or
991subsection (3).
992     (17)  DISTRIBUTION.-
993     (a)  Following termination of the condominium, the
994condominium property, association property, common surplus, and
995other assets of the association shall be held by the termination
996trustee pursuant to the plan of termination, as trustee for unit
997owners and holders of liens on the units, in their order of
998priority unless otherwise set forth in the plan of termination.
999     (18)  ASSOCIATION STATUS.-The termination of a condominium
1000does not change the corporate status of the association that
1001operated the condominium property. The association continues to
1002exist to conclude its affairs, prosecute and defend actions by
1003or against it, collect and discharge obligations, dispose of and
1004convey its property, and collect and divide its assets, but not
1005to act except as necessary to conclude its affairs. In a partial
1006termination, the association may continue as the condominium
1007association for the property that remains subject to the
1008declaration of condominium.
1009     (19)  CREATION OF ANOTHER CONDOMINIUM.-The termination or
1010partial termination of a condominium does not bar the filing of
1011a new declaration of condominium or an amended and restated
1012declaration of condominium by the termination trustee, or the
1013trustee's successor in interest, for the terminated property or
1014affecting any portion thereof of the same property. The partial
1015termination of a condominium may provide for the simultaneous
1016filing of an amendment to the declaration of condominium or an
1017amended and restated declaration of condominium by the
1018condominium association for any portion of the property not
1019terminated from the condominium form of ownership.
1020     Section 8.  Subsections (3), (4), and (5) of section
1021718.303, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (6) is
1022added to that section, to read:
1023     718.303  Obligations of owners and occupants; remedies.-
1024     (3)  If a unit owner is delinquent for more than 90 days in
1025paying a monetary obligation due to the association, the
1026association may suspend the right of a unit owner or a unit's
1027occupant, licensee, or invitee to use common elements, common
1028facilities, or any other association property until the monetary
1029obligation is paid. This subsection does not apply to limited
1030common elements intended to be used only by that unit, common
1031elements that must be used to access the unit, utility services
1032provided to the unit, parking spaces, or elevators. The
1033association may also levy reasonable fines for the failure of
1034the owner of the unit, or its occupant, licensee, or invitee, to
1035comply with any provision of the declaration, the association
1036bylaws, or reasonable rules of the association. A fine may does
1037not become a lien against a unit. A fine may not exceed $100 per
1038violation. However, A fine may be levied on the basis of each
1039day of a continuing violation, with a single notice and
1040opportunity for hearing. However, the fine may not exceed $100
1041per violation, or $1,000 in the aggregate exceed $1,000.
1042     (a)  An association may suspend, for a reasonable period of
1043time, the right of a unit owner, or a unit owner's tenant,
1044guest, or invitee, to use the common elements, common
1045facilities, or any other association property for failure to
1046comply with any provision of the declaration, the association
1047bylaws, or reasonable rules of the association.
1048     (b)  A fine or suspension may not be imposed levied and a
1049suspension may not be imposed unless the association first
1050provides at least 14 days' written notice and an opportunity for
1051a hearing to the unit owner and, if applicable, its occupant,
1052licensee, or invitee. The hearing must be held before a
1053committee of other unit owners who are neither board members nor
1054persons residing in a board member's household. If the committee
1055does not agree with the fine or suspension, the fine or
1056suspension may not be levied or imposed.
1057     (4)  If a unit owner is more than 90 days delinquent in
1058paying a monetary obligation due to the association, the
1059association may suspend the right of the unit owner or the
1060unit's occupant, licensee, or invitee to use common elements,
1061common facilities, or any other association property until the
1062monetary obligation is paid in full. This subsection does not
1063apply to limited common elements intended to be used only by
1064that unit, common elements needed to access the unit, utility
1065services provided to the unit, parking spaces, or elevators. The
1066notice and hearing requirements under subsection (3) do not
1067apply to suspensions imposed under this subsection.
1068     (4)  The notice and hearing requirements of subsection (3)
1069do not apply to the imposition of suspensions or fines against a
1070unit owner or a unit's occupant, licensee, or invitee because of
1071failing to pay any amounts due the association. If such a fine
1072or suspension is imposed, the association must levy the fine or
1073impose a reasonable suspension at a properly noticed board
1074meeting, and after the imposition of such fine or suspension,
1075the association must notify the unit owner and, if applicable,
1076the unit's occupant, licensee, or invitee by mail or hand
1077delivery.
1078     (5)  An association may also suspend the voting rights of a
1079member due to nonpayment of any monetary obligation due to the
1080association which is more than 90 days delinquent. The
1081suspension ends upon full payment of all obligations currently
1082due or overdue the association. A voting interest or consent
1083right allocated to a unit which has been suspended by the
1084association may not be exercised or considered for any purpose,
1085including, but not limited to, a quorum, an election, or the
1086votes required to approve an action under this chapter or
1087pursuant to the declaration, articles of incorporation, or
1088bylaws. The notice and hearing requirements under subsection (3)
1089do not apply to a suspension imposed under this subsection.
1090     (6)  All suspensions imposed pursuant to subsection (4) or
1091subsection (5) must be approved at a properly noticed board
1092meeting. Upon approval, the association must notify the unit
1093owner and, if applicable, the unit's occupant, licensee, or
1094invitee by mail or hand delivery.
1095     Section 9.  Section 718.703, Florida Statutes, is amended
1096to read:
1097     718.703  Definitions.-As used in this part, the term:
1098     (1)  "Bulk assignee" means a person who is not a bulk buyer
1099and who:
1100     (a)  Acquires more than seven condominium parcels in a
1101single condominium as set forth in s. 718.707; and
1102     (b)  Receives an assignment of any of the developer rights,
1103other than or in addition to those rights described in
1104subsection (2), some or all of the rights of the developer as
1105set forth in the declaration of condominium or this chapter: by
1106     1.  By a written instrument recorded as part of or as an
1107exhibit to the deed; or as
1108     2.  By a separate instrument recorded in the public records
1109of the county in which the condominium is located; or
1110     3.  Pursuant to a final judgment or certificate of title
1111issued in favor of a purchaser at a foreclosure sale.
1112
1113A mortgagee or its assignee may not be deemed a bulk assignee or
1114a developer by reason of the acquisition of condominium units
1115and receipt of an assignment of some or all of a developer
1116rights unless the mortgagee or its assignee exercises any of the
1117developer rights other than those described in subsection (2).
1118     (2)  "Bulk buyer" means a person who acquires more than
1119seven condominium parcels in a single condominium as set forth
1120in s. 718.707, but who does not receive an assignment of any
1121developer rights, or receives only some or all of the following
1122rights: other than
1123     (a)  The right to conduct sales, leasing, and marketing
1124activities within the condominium;
1125     (b)  The right to be exempt from the payment of working
1126capital contributions to the condominium association arising out
1127of, or in connection with, the bulk buyer's acquisition of the a
1128bulk number of units; and
1129     (c)  The right to be exempt from any rights of first
1130refusal which may be held by the condominium association and
1131would otherwise be applicable to subsequent transfers of title
1132from the bulk buyer to a third party purchaser concerning one or
1133more units.
1134     Section 10.  Section 718.704, Florida Statutes, is amended
1135to read:
1136     718.704  Assignment and assumption of developer rights by
1137bulk assignee; bulk buyer.-
1138     (1)  A bulk assignee is deemed to have assumed assumes and
1139is liable for all duties and responsibilities of the developer
1140under the declaration and this chapter upon its acquisition of
1141title to units and continuously thereafter, except that it is
1142not liable for:
1143     (a)  Warranties of the developer under s. 718.203(1) or s.
1144718.618, except as expressly provided by the bulk assignee in a
1145prospectus or offering circular, or the contract for purchase
1146and sale executed with a purchaser, or for design, construction,
1147development, or repair work performed by or on behalf of the
1148such bulk assignee.;
1149     (b)  The obligation to:
1150     1.  Fund converter reserves under s. 718.618 for a unit
1151that was not acquired by the bulk assignee; or
1152     2.  Provide implied converter warranties on any portion of
1153the condominium property except as expressly provided by the
1154bulk assignee in a prospectus or offering circular, or the
1155contract for purchase and sale executed with a purchaser, or for
1156and pertaining to any design, construction, development, or
1157repair work performed by or on behalf of the bulk assignee.;
1158     (c)  The requirement to provide the association with a
1159cumulative audit of the association's finances from the date of
1160formation of the condominium association as required by s.
1161718.301(4)(c). However, the bulk assignee must provide an audit
1162for the period during which the bulk assignee elects or appoints
1163a majority of the members of the board of administration.;
1164     (d)  Any liability arising out of or in connection with
1165actions taken by the board of administration or the developer-
1166appointed directors before the bulk assignee elects or appoints
1167a majority of the members of the board of administration.; and
1168     (e)  Any liability for or arising out of the developer's
1169failure to fund previous assessments or to resolve budgetary
1170deficits in relation to a developer's right to guarantee
1171assessments, except as otherwise provided in subsection (2).
1172
1173The bulk assignee is also responsible only for delivering
1174documents and materials in accordance with s. 718.705(3). A bulk
1175assignee may expressly assume some or all of the developer
1176obligations of the developer described in paragraphs (a)-(e).
1177     (2)  A bulk assignee assigned the developer right receiving
1178the assignment of the rights of the developer to guarantee the
1179level of assessments and fund budgetary deficits pursuant to s.
1180718.116 assumes and is liable for all obligations of the
1181developer with respect to such guarantee upon its acquisition of
1182title to the units and continuously thereafter, including any
1183applicable funding of reserves to the extent required by law,
1184for as long as the guarantee remains in effect. A bulk assignee
1185not receiving such assignment, or a bulk buyer, does not assume
1186and is not liable for the obligations of the developer with
1187respect to such guarantee, but is responsible for payment of
1188assessments due on or after acquisition of the units in the same
1189manner as all other owners of condominium parcels or as
1190otherwise provided in s. 718.116.
1191     (3)  A bulk buyer is liable for the duties and
1192responsibilities of a the developer under the declaration and
1193this chapter only to the extent that such provided in this part,
1194together with any other duties or responsibilities are of the
1195developer expressly assumed in writing by the bulk buyer.
1196     (4)  An acquirer of condominium parcels is not a bulk
1197assignee or a bulk buyer if the transfer to such acquirer was
1198made:
1199     (a)  Before the effective date of this part;
1200     (b)  With the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud any
1201purchaser, unit owner, or the association;, or if the acquirer
1202is
1203     (c)  By a person who would be considered an insider under
1204s. 726.102(7).
1205     (5)  An assignment of developer rights to a bulk assignee
1206may be made by a the developer, a previous bulk assignee, a
1207mortgagee or assignee who has acquired title to the units and
1208received an assignment of rights, or a court acting on behalf of
1209the developer or the previous bulk assignee if such developer
1210rights are held by the predecessor in title to the bulk
1211assignee. At any particular time, there may not be no more than
1212one bulk assignee within a condominium; however, but there may
1213be more than one bulk buyer. If more than one acquirer of
1214condominium parcels in the same condominium receives an
1215assignment of developer rights in addition to those rights
1216described in s. 718.703(2) from the same person, the bulk
1217assignee is the acquirer whose instrument of assignment is
1218recorded first in the public records of the county in which the
1219condominium is located, and any subsequent purported bulk
1220assignee may still qualify as a bulk buyer.
1221     Section 11.  Subsections (1) and (3) of section 718.705,
1222Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1223     718.705  Board of administration; transfer of control.-
1224     (1)  If, at the time the bulk assignee acquires title to
1225the units and receives an assignment of developer rights, the
1226developer has not relinquished control of the board of
1227administration, for purposes of determining the timing for
1228transfer of control of the board of administration of the
1229association to unit owners other than the developer under s.
1230718.301(1)(a) and (b), if a bulk assignee is entitled to elect a
1231majority of the members of the board, a condominium parcel
1232acquired by the bulk assignee is not deemed to be conveyed to a
1233purchaser, or owned by an owner other than the developer, until
1234the condominium parcel is conveyed to an owner who is not a bulk
1235assignee.
1236     (3)  If a bulk assignee relinquishes control of the board
1237of administration as set forth in s. 718.301, the bulk assignee
1238must deliver all of those items required by s. 718.301(4).
1239However, the bulk assignee is not required to deliver items and
1240documents not in the possession of the bulk assignee if some
1241items were or should have been in existence before the bulk
1242assignee's acquisition of the units during the period during
1243which the bulk assignee was entitled to elect at least a
1244majority of the members of the board of administration. In
1245conjunction with the acquisition of units condominium parcels, a
1246bulk assignee shall undertake a good faith effort to obtain the
1247documents and materials that must be provided to the association
1248pursuant to s. 718.301(4). If the bulk assignee is not able to
1249obtain all of such documents and materials, the bulk assignee
1250must certify in writing to the association the names or
1251descriptions of the documents and materials that were not
1252obtainable by the bulk assignee. Delivery of the certificate
1253relieves the bulk assignee of responsibility for delivering the
1254documents and materials referenced in the certificate as
1255otherwise required under ss. 718.112 and 718.301 and this part.
1256The responsibility of the bulk assignee for the audit required
1257by s. 718.301(4) commences as of the date on which the bulk
1258assignee elected or appointed a majority of the members of the
1259board of administration.
1260     Section 12.  Section 718.706, Florida Statutes, is amended
1261to read:
1262     718.706  Specific provisions pertaining to offering of
1263units by a bulk assignee or bulk buyer.-
1264     (1)  Before offering more than seven any units in a single
1265condominium for sale or for lease for a term exceeding 5 years,
1266a bulk assignee or a bulk buyer must file the following
1267documents with the division and provide such documents to a
1268prospective purchaser or tenant:
1269     (a)  An updated prospectus or offering circular, or a
1270supplement to the prospectus or offering circular, filed by the
1271original developer prepared in accordance with s. 718.504, which
1272must include the form of contract for sale and for lease in
1273compliance with s. 718.503(2);
1274     (b)  An updated Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1275sheet;
1276     (c)  The executed escrow agreement if required under s.
1277718.202; and
1278     (d)  The financial information required by s. 718.111(13).
1279However, if a financial information report did does not exist
1280for the fiscal year before the acquisition of title by the bulk
1281assignee or bulk buyer, and if or accounting records that cannot
1282be obtained in good faith by the bulk assignee or the bulk buyer
1283which would permit preparation of the required financial
1284information report for that period cannot be obtained despite
1285good faith efforts by the bulk assignee or the bulk buyer, the
1286bulk assignee or bulk buyer is excused from the requirement of
1287this paragraph. However, the bulk assignee or bulk buyer must
1288include in the purchase contract the following statement in
1289conspicuous type:
1290
1291ALL OR A PORTION OF THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION REPORT
1292REQUIRED UNDER S. 718.111(13) FOR THE TIME PERIOD
1293BEFORE THE SELLER'S ACQUISITION OF THE UNIT
1294IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR OF THE ASSOCIATION
1295IS NOT AVAILABLE OR CANNOT BE OBTAINED DESPITE THE
1296GOOD FAITH EFFORTS OF CREATED BY THE SELLER DUE TO THE
1297INSUFFICIENT ACCOUNTING RECORDS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
1298
1299     (2)  Before offering more than seven any units in a single
1300condominium for sale or for lease for a term exceeding 5 years,
1301a bulk assignee or a bulk buyer must file with the division and
1302provide to a prospective purchaser or tenant under a lease for a
1303term exceeding 5 years a disclosure statement that includes, but
1304is not limited to:
1305     (a)  A description of any rights of the developer rights
1306that developer which have been assigned to the bulk assignee or
1307bulk buyer;
1308     (b)  The following statement in conspicuous type:
1309
1310THE SELLER IS NOT OBLIGATED FOR ANY WARRANTIES OF THE
1311DEVELOPER UNDER S. 718.203(1) OR S. 718.618, AS
1312APPLICABLE, EXCEPT FOR DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION,
1313DEVELOPMENT, OR REPAIR WORK PERFORMED BY OR ON BEHALF
1314OF THE SELLER; and
1315
1316     (c)  If the condominium is a conversion subject to part VI,
1317the following statement in conspicuous type:
1318
1319THE SELLER HAS NO OBLIGATION TO FUND CONVERTER
1320RESERVES OR TO PROVIDE CONVERTER WARRANTIES UNDER S.
1321718.618 ON ANY PORTION OF THE CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY
1322EXCEPT AS MAY BE EXPRESSLY REQUIRED OF THE SELLER IN
1323THE CONTRACT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE EXECUTED BY THE
1324SELLER AND THE PREVIOUS DEVELOPER AND PERTAINING TO
1325ANY DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, OR REPAIR WORK
1326PERFORMED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE SELLER.
1327
1328     (3)  A bulk assignee, while it is in control of the board
1329of administration of the association, may not authorize, on
1330behalf of the association:
1331     (a)  The waiver of reserves or the reduction of funding of
1332the reserves pursuant to s. 718.112(2)(f)2., unless approved by
1333a majority of the voting interests not controlled by the
1334developer, bulk assignee, and bulk buyer; or
1335     (b)  The use of reserve expenditures for other purposes
1336pursuant to s. 718.112(2)(f)3., unless approved by a majority of
1337the voting interests not controlled by the developer, bulk
1338assignee, and bulk buyer.
1339     (4)  A bulk assignee or a bulk buyer must comply with all
1340the requirements of s. 718.302 regarding any contracts entered
1341into by the association during the period the bulk assignee or
1342bulk buyer maintains control of the board of administration.
1343Unit owners shall be provided afforded all of the rights and the
1344protections contained in s. 718.302 regarding agreements entered
1345into by the association which are under the control of before
1346unit owners other than the developer, bulk assignee, or bulk
1347buyer elected a majority of the board of administration.
1348     (5)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, a
1349bulk assignee or a bulk buyer is not required to comply with the
1350filing or disclosure requirements of subsections (1) and (2) if
1351all of the units owned by the bulk assignee or bulk buyer are
1352offered and conveyed to a single purchaser in a single
1353transaction. A bulk buyer must comply with the requirements
1354contained in the declaration regarding any transfer of a unit,
1355including sales, leases, and subleases. A bulk buyer is not
1356entitled to any exemptions afforded a developer or successor
1357developer under this chapter regarding the transfer of a unit,
1358including sales, leases, or subleases.
1359     Section 13.  Section 718.707, Florida Statutes, is amended
1360to read:
1361     718.707  Time limitation for classification as bulk
1362assignee or bulk buyer.-A person acquiring condominium parcels
1363may not be classified as a bulk assignee or bulk buyer unless
1364the condominium parcels were acquired on or after July 1, 2010,
1365but before July 1, 2012. The date of such acquisition shall be
1366determined by the date of recording of a deed or other
1367instrument of conveyance for such parcels in the public records
1368of the county in which the condominium is located, or by the
1369date of issuing issuance of a certificate of title in a
1370foreclosure proceeding with respect to such condominium parcels.
1371     Section 14.  Subsections (3), (4), and (10) of section
1372719.108, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1373     719.108  Rents and assessments; liability; lien and
1374priority; interest; collection; cooperative ownership.-
1375     (3)  Rents and assessments, and installments on them, not
1376paid when due bear interest at the rate provided in the
1377cooperative documents from the date due until paid. This rate
1378may not exceed the rate allowed by law, and, if a rate is not
1379provided in the cooperative documents, interest accrues at 18
1380percent per annum. If the cooperative documents or bylaws so
1381provide, the association may charge an administrative late fee
1382in addition to such interest, in an amount not to exceed the
1383greater of $25 or 5 percent of each installment of the
1384assessment for each delinquent installment that the payment is
1385late. Any payment received by an association must be applied
1386first to any interest accrued by the association, then to any
1387administrative late fee, then to any costs and reasonable
1388attorney's fees incurred in collection, and then to the
1389delinquent assessment. The foregoing applies notwithstanding any
1390restrictive endorsement, designation, or instruction placed on
1391or accompanying a payment. A late fee is not subject to chapter
1392687 or s. 719.303(4)(3).
1393     (4)  The association has a lien on each cooperative parcel
1394for any unpaid rents and assessments, plus interest, and any
1395authorized administrative late fees, and any reasonable costs
1396for collection services for which the association has contracted
1397against the unit owner of the cooperative parcel. If authorized
1398by the cooperative documents, the lien also secures reasonable
1399attorney's fees incurred by the association incident to the
1400collection of the rents and assessments or enforcement of such
1401lien. The lien is effective from and after recording a claim of
1402lien in the public records in the county in which the
1403cooperative parcel is located which states the description of
1404the cooperative parcel, the name of the unit owner, the amount
1405due, and the due dates. The lien expires if a claim of lien is
1406not filed within 1 year after the date the assessment was due,
1407and the lien does not continue for longer than 1 year after the
1408claim of lien has been recorded unless, within that time, an
1409action to enforce the lien is commenced. Except as otherwise
1410provided in this chapter, a lien may not be filed by the
1411association against a cooperative parcel until 30 days after the
1412date on which a notice of intent to file a lien has been
1413delivered to the owner.
1414     (a)  The notice must be sent to the unit owner at the
1415address of the unit by first-class United States mail and:
1416     1.  If the most recent address of the unit owner on the
1417records of the association is the address of the unit, the
1418notice must be sent by registered or certified mail, return
1419receipt requested, to the unit owner at the address of the unit.
1420     2.  If the most recent address of the unit owner on the
1421records of the association is in the United States, but is not
1422the address of the unit, the notice must be sent by registered
1423or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the unit owner
1424at his or her most recent address.
1425     3.  If the most recent address of the unit owner on the
1426records of the association is not in the United States, the
1427notice must be sent by first-class United States mail to the
1428unit owner at his or her most recent address.
1429     (b)  A notice that is sent pursuant to this subsection is
1430deemed delivered upon mailing.
1431     (10)  If the unit is occupied by a tenant and the unit
1432owner is delinquent in paying any monetary obligation due to the
1433association, the association may make a written demand that the
1434tenant pay rent to the association the future monetary
1435obligations related to the cooperative share to the association
1436and continue to the tenant must make such payments until all
1437monetary obligations of the unit owner related to the unit have
1438been paid in full to the association payment. The demand is
1439continuing in nature, and upon demand, The tenant must pay the
1440monetary obligations to the association until the association
1441releases the tenant or the tenant discontinues tenancy in the
1442unit. The association must mail written notice to the unit owner
1443of the association's demand that the tenant make payments to the
1444association. The association shall, upon request, provide the
1445tenant with written receipts for payments made. A tenant who
1446acts in good faith in response to a written demand from an
1447association is immune from any claim by from the unit owner
1448related to the rent once the association has made written
1449demand. Any payment received from a tenant by the association
1450must be applied to the unit owner's oldest delinquent monetary
1451obligation.
1452     (a)  If the tenant paid prepaid rent to the unit owner for
1453a given rental period before receiving the demand from the
1454association and provides written evidence of prepaying paying
1455the rent to the association within 14 days after receiving the
1456demand, the tenant shall receive credit for the prepaid rent for
1457the applicable period but and must make any subsequent rental
1458payments to the association to be credited against the monetary
1459obligations of the unit owner to the association.
1460     (b)  The tenant is not liable for increases in the amount
1461of the regular monetary obligations due unless the tenant was
1462notified in writing of the increase at least 10 days before the
1463date on which the rent is due. The liability of the tenant may
1464not exceed the amount due from the tenant to the tenant's
1465landlord. The tenant's landlord shall provide the tenant a
1466credit against rents due to the unit owner in the amount of
1467moneys paid to the association under this section.
1468     (c)  The association may issue notices under s. 83.56 and
1469may sue for eviction under ss. 83.59-83.625 as if the
1470association were a landlord under part II of chapter 83 if the
1471tenant fails to pay a required payment. However, the association
1472is not otherwise considered a landlord under chapter 83 and
1473specifically has no obligations duties under s. 83.51.
1474     (d)  The tenant does not, by virtue of payment of monetary
1475obligations, have any of the rights of a unit owner to vote in
1476any election or to examine the books and records of the
1477association.
1478     (e)  A court may supersede the effect of this subsection by
1479appointing a receiver.
1480     Section 15.  Subsection (3) of section 719.303, Florida
1481Statutes, is amended, and subsections (4), (5), and (6) are
1482added to that section, to read:
1483     719.303  Obligations of owners.-
1484     (3)  If the cooperative documents so provide, The
1485association may levy reasonable fines against a unit owner for
1486failure of the unit owner or the unit's occupant, his or her
1487licensee, or invitee or the unit's occupant to comply with any
1488provision of the cooperative documents or reasonable rules of
1489the association. A fine may not No fine shall become a lien
1490against a unit. No fine shall exceed $100 per violation.
1491However, A fine may be levied on the basis of each day of a
1492continuing violation, with a single notice and opportunity for
1493hearing. However, the fine may not exceed $100 per violation, or
1494$1,000 provided that no such fine shall in the aggregate exceed
1495$1,000.
1496     (a)  An association may suspend, for a reasonable period of
1497time, the right of a unit owner, or a unit owner's tenant,
1498guest, or invitee, to use the common elements, common
1499facilities, or any other association property for failure to
1500comply with any provision of the cooperative documents or
1501reasonable rules of the association.
1502     (b)  A No fine or suspension may not be imposed levied
1503except after giving reasonable notice and opportunity for a
1504hearing to the unit owner and, if applicable, the unit's his or
1505her licensee or invitee. The hearing must shall be held before a
1506committee of other unit owners. If the committee does not agree
1507with the fine or suspension, it may shall not be imposed levied.
1508This subsection does not apply to unoccupied units.
1509     (4)  If a unit owner is more than 90 days delinquent in
1510paying a monetary obligation due to the association, the
1511association may suspend the right of the unit owner or the
1512unit's occupant, licensee, or invitee to use common elements,
1513common facilities, or any other association property until the
1514monetary obligation is paid in full. This subsection does not
1515apply to limited common elements intended to be used only by
1516that unit, common elements needed to access the unit, utility
1517services provided to the unit, parking spaces, or elevators. The
1518notice and hearing requirements under subsection (3) do not
1519apply to suspensions imposed under this subsection.
1520     (5)  An association may suspend the voting rights of a
1521member due to nonpayment of any monetary obligation due to the
1522association which is more than 90 days delinquent. The
1523suspension ends upon full payment of all obligations currently
1524due or overdue the association. A voting interest or consent
1525right allocated to a unit which has been suspended by the
1526association may not be exercised or considered for any purpose,
1527including, but not limited to, a quorum, an election, or the
1528votes required to approve an action under this chapter or
1529pursuant to the cooperative documents. The notice and hearing
1530requirements under subsection (3) do not apply to a suspension
1531imposed under this subsection.
1532     (6)  All suspensions imposed pursuant to subsection (4) or
1533subsection (5) must be approved at a properly noticed board
1534meeting. Upon approval, the association must notify the unit
1535owner and, if applicable, the unit's occupant, licensee, or
1536invitee by mail or hand delivery.
1537     Section 16.  Subsection (4) of section 720.301, Florida
1538Statutes, is amended to read:
1539     720.301  Definitions.-As used in this chapter, the term:
1540     (4)  "Declaration of covenants," or "declaration," means a
1541recorded written instrument or instruments in the nature of
1542covenants running with the land which subject subjects the land
1543comprising the community to the jurisdiction and control of an
1544association or associations in which the owners of the parcels,
1545or their association representatives, must be members.
1546     Section 17.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and paragraph
1547(c) of subsection (5) of section 720.303, Florida Statutes, are
1548amended to read:
1549     720.303  Association powers and duties; meetings of board;
1550official records; budgets; financial reporting; association
1551funds; recalls.-
1552     (2)  BOARD MEETINGS.-
1553     (b)  Members have the right to attend all meetings of the
1554board and to speak on any matter placed on the agenda by
1555petition of the voting interests for at least 3 minutes. The
1556right to attend such meetings includes the right to speak at
1557such meetings with reference to all designated items. The
1558association may adopt written reasonable rules expanding the
1559right of members to speak and governing the frequency, duration,
1560and other manner of member statements, which rules must be
1561consistent with this paragraph and may include a sign-up sheet
1562for members wishing to speak. Notwithstanding any other law,
1563meetings between the board or a committee and the association's
1564attorney to discuss proposed or pending litigation or meetings
1565of the board held for the purpose of discussing personnel
1566matters are not required to be open to the members other than
1567directors.
1568     (5)  INSPECTION AND COPYING OF RECORDS.-The official
1569records shall be maintained within the state and must be open to
1570inspection and available for photocopying by members or their
1571authorized agents at reasonable times and places within 10
1572business days after receipt of a written request for access.
1573This subsection may be complied with by having a copy of the
1574official records available for inspection or copying in the
1575community. If the association has a photocopy machine available
1576where the records are maintained, it must provide parcel owners
1577with copies on request during the inspection if the entire
1578request is limited to no more than 25 pages.
1579     (c)  The association may adopt reasonable written rules
1580governing the frequency, time, location, notice, records to be
1581inspected, and manner of inspections, but may not require a
1582parcel owner to demonstrate any proper purpose for the
1583inspection, state any reason for the inspection, or limit a
1584parcel owner's right to inspect records to less than one 8-hour
1585business day per month. The association may impose fees to cover
1586the costs of providing copies of the official records,
1587including, without limitation, the costs of copying. The
1588association may charge up to 50 cents per page for copies made
1589on the association's photocopier. If the association does not
1590have a photocopy machine available where the records are kept,
1591or if the records requested to be copied exceed 25 pages in
1592length, the association may have copies made by an outside
1593vendor or association management company personnel and may
1594charge the actual cost of copying, including any reasonable
1595costs involving personnel fees and charges at an hourly rate for
1596vendor or employee time to cover administrative costs to the
1597vendor or association. The association shall maintain an
1598adequate number of copies of the recorded governing documents,
1599to ensure their availability to members and prospective members.
1600Notwithstanding this paragraph, the following records are not
1601accessible to members or parcel owners:
1602     1.  Any record protected by the lawyer-client privilege as
1603described in s. 90.502 and any record protected by the work-
1604product privilege, including, but not limited to, a any record
1605prepared by an association attorney or prepared at the
1606attorney's express direction which reflects a mental impression,
1607conclusion, litigation strategy, or legal theory of the attorney
1608or the association and which was prepared exclusively for civil
1609or criminal litigation or for adversarial administrative
1610proceedings or which was prepared in anticipation of such
1611imminent civil or criminal litigation or imminent adversarial
1612administrative proceedings until the conclusion of the
1613litigation or administrative proceedings.
1614     2.  Information obtained by an association in connection
1615with the approval of the lease, sale, or other transfer of a
1616parcel.
1617     3.  Personnel records of the association's employees,
1618including, but not limited to, disciplinary, payroll, health,
1619and insurance records. For purposes of this subparagraph, the
1620term "personnel records" does not include written employment
1621agreements with an association employee or budgetary or
1622financial records that indicate the compensation paid to an
1623association employee.
1624     4.  Medical records of parcel owners or community
1625residents.
1626     5.  Social security numbers, driver's license numbers,
1627credit card numbers, electronic mailing addresses, telephone
1628numbers, facsimile numbers, emergency contact information, any
1629addresses for a parcel owner other than as provided for
1630association notice requirements, and other personal identifying
1631information of any person, excluding the person's name, parcel
1632designation, mailing address, and property address. However, an
1633owner may consent in writing to the disclosure of protected
1634information described in this subparagraph. The association is
1635not liable for the disclosure of information that is protected
1636under this subparagraph if the information is included in an
1637official record of the association and is voluntarily provided
1638by an owner and not requested by the association.
1639     6.  Any electronic security measure that is used by the
1640association to safeguard data, including passwords.
1641     7.  The software and operating system used by the
1642association which allows the manipulation of data, even if the
1643owner owns a copy of the same software used by the association.
1644The data is part of the official records of the association.
1645     Section 18.  Section 720.305, Florida Statutes, is amended
1646to read:
1647     720.305  Obligations of members; remedies at law or in
1648equity; levy of fines and suspension of use rights.-
1649     (1)  Each member and the member's tenants, guests, and
1650invitees, and each association, are governed by, and must comply
1651with, this chapter, the governing documents of the community,
1652and the rules of the association. Actions at law or in equity,
1653or both, to redress alleged failure or refusal to comply with
1654these provisions may be brought by the association or by any
1655member against:
1656     (a)  The association;
1657     (b)  A member;
1658     (c)  Any director or officer of an association who
1659willfully and knowingly fails to comply with these provisions;
1660and
1661     (d)  Any tenants, guests, or invitees occupying a parcel or
1662using the common areas.
1663
1664The prevailing party in any such litigation is entitled to
1665recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs. A member
1666prevailing in an action between the association and the member
1667under this section, in addition to recovering his or her
1668reasonable attorney's fees, may recover additional amounts as
1669determined by the court to be necessary to reimburse the member
1670for his or her share of assessments levied by the association to
1671fund its expenses of the litigation. This relief does not
1672exclude other remedies provided by law. This section does not
1673deprive any person of any other available right or remedy.
1674     (2)  The association If a member is delinquent for more
1675than 90 days in paying a monetary obligation due the
1676association, an association may suspend, until such monetary
1677obligation is paid, the rights of a member or a member's
1678tenants, guests, or invitees, or both, to use common areas and
1679facilities and may levy reasonable fines of up to $100 per
1680violation, against any member or any member's tenant, guest, or
1681invitee for the failure of the owner of the parcel or its
1682occupant, licensee, or invitee to comply with any provision of
1683the declaration, the association bylaws, or reasonable rules of
1684the association. A fine may be levied for each day of a
1685continuing violation, with a single notice and opportunity for
1686hearing, except that the a fine may not exceed $1,000 in the
1687aggregate unless otherwise provided in the governing documents.
1688A fine of less than $1,000 may not become a lien against a
1689parcel. In any action to recover a fine, the prevailing party is
1690entitled to collect its reasonable attorney's fees and costs
1691from the nonprevailing party as determined by the court.
1692     (a)  An association may suspend, for a reasonable period of
1693time, the right of a member, or a member's tenant, guest, or
1694invitee, to use common areas and facilities for the failure of
1695the owner of the parcel or its occupant, licensee, or invitee to
1696comply with any provision of the declaration, the association
1697bylaws, or reasonable rules of the association. The provisions
1698regarding the suspension-of-use rights do not apply to the
1699portion of common areas that must be used to provide access to
1700the parcel or utility services provided to the parcel.
1701     (b)(a)  A fine or suspension may not be imposed without at
1702least 14 days' notice to the person sought to be fined or
1703suspended and an opportunity for a hearing before a committee of
1704at least three members appointed by the board who are not
1705officers, directors, or employees of the association, or the
1706spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister of an officer,
1707director, or employee. If the committee, by majority vote, does
1708not approve a proposed fine or suspension, it may not be
1709imposed. If the association imposes a fine or suspension, the
1710association must provide written notice of such fine or
1711suspension by mail or hand delivery to the parcel owner and, if
1712applicable, to any tenant, licensee, or invitee of the parcel
1713owner.
1714     (3)  If a member is more than 90 days delinquent in paying
1715a monetary obligation due to the association, the association
1716may suspend the rights of the member, or the member's tenant,
1717guest, or invitee, to use common areas and facilities until the
1718monetary obligation is paid in full. This subsection does not
1719apply to that portion of common areas used to provide access or
1720utility services to the parcel.
1721     (b)  Suspension does of common-area-use rights do not
1722impair the right of an owner or tenant of a parcel to have
1723vehicular and pedestrian ingress to and egress from the parcel,
1724including, but not limited to, the right to park. The notice and
1725hearing requirements under subsection (2) do not apply to a
1726suspension imposed under this subsection.
1727     (4)(3)  If the governing documents so provide, An
1728association may suspend the voting rights of a member for the
1729nonpayment of any monetary obligation that is more than regular
1730annual assessments that are delinquent in excess of 90 days
1731delinquent. A voting interest or consent right allocated to a
1732parcel which has been suspended by the association may not be
1733exercised or considered for any purpose, including, but not
1734limited to, a quorum, an election, or the votes required to
1735approve an action under this chapter or pursuant to the
1736governing documents. The notice and hearing requirements under
1737subsection (3) do not apply to a suspension imposed under this
1738subsection. The suspension ends upon full payment of all
1739obligations currently due or overdue to the association.
1740     (5)  All suspensions imposed pursuant to subsection (3) or
1741subsection (4) must be approved at a properly noticed board
1742meeting. Upon approval, the association must notify the parcel
1743owner and, if applicable, the parcel's occupant, licensee, or
1744invitee by mail or hand delivery.
1745     Section 19.  Subsection (9) of section 720.306, Florida
1746Statutes, is amended to read:
1747     720.306  Meetings of members; voting and election
1748procedures; amendments.-
1749     (9)(a)  ELECTIONS AND BOARD VACANCIES.- Elections of
1750directors must be conducted in accordance with the procedures
1751set forth in the governing documents of the association. All
1752members of the association are eligible to serve on the board of
1753directors, and a member may nominate himself or herself as a
1754candidate for the board at a meeting where the election is to be
1755held or, if the election process allows voting by absentee
1756ballot, in advance of the balloting. Except as otherwise
1757provided in the governing documents, boards of directors must be
1758elected by a plurality of the votes cast by eligible voters.
1759     (b)  A person who is delinquent in the payment of any fee,
1760fine, or other monetary obligation to the association for more
1761than 90 days is not eligible for board membership. A person who
1762has been convicted of any felony in this state or in a United
1763States District or Territorial Court, or has been convicted of
1764any offense in another jurisdiction which would be considered a
1765felony if committed in this state, is not eligible for board
1766membership unless such felon's civil rights have been restored
1767for at least 5 years as of the date on which such person seeks
1768election to the board. The validity of any action by the board
1769is not affected if it is later determined that a member of the
1770board is ineligible for board membership.
1771     (c)  Any election dispute between a member and an
1772association must be submitted to mandatory binding arbitration
1773with the division. Such proceedings must be conducted in the
1774manner provided by s. 718.1255 and the procedural rules adopted
1775by the division. Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, any
1776vacancy occurring on the board before the expiration of a term
1777may be filled by an affirmative vote of the majority of the
1778remaining directors, even if the remaining directors constitute
1779less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. In the
1780alternative, a board may hold an election to fill the vacancy,
1781in which case the election procedures must conform to the
1782requirements of the governing documents. Unless otherwise
1783provided in the bylaws, a board member appointed or elected
1784under this section is appointed for the unexpired term of the
1785seat being filled. Filling vacancies created by recall is
1786governed by s. 720.303(10) and rules adopted by the division.
1787     Section 20.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and
1788subsections (3) and (8) of section 720.3085, Florida Statutes,
1789are amended to read:
1790     720.3085  Payment for assessments; lien claims.-
1791     (1)  When authorized by the governing documents, the
1792association has a lien on each parcel to secure the payment of
1793assessments and other amounts provided for by this section.
1794Except as otherwise set forth in this section, the lien is
1795effective from and shall relate back to the date on which the
1796original declaration of the community was recorded. However, as
1797to first mortgages of record, the lien is effective from and
1798after recording of a claim of lien in the public records of the
1799county in which the parcel is located. This subsection does not
1800bestow upon any lien, mortgage, or certified judgment of record
1801on July 1, 2008, including the lien for unpaid assessments
1802created in this section, a priority that, by law, the lien,
1803mortgage, or judgment did not have before July 1, 2008.
1804     (a)  To be valid, a claim of lien must state the
1805description of the parcel, the name of the record owner, the
1806name and address of the association, the assessment amount due,
1807and the due date. The claim of lien secures shall secure all
1808unpaid assessments that are due and that may accrue subsequent
1809to the recording of the claim of lien and before entry of a
1810certificate of title, as well as interest, late charges, and
1811reasonable costs and attorney's fees incurred by the association
1812incident to the collection process. The person making the
1813payment is entitled to a satisfaction of the lien upon payment
1814in full.
1815     (3)  Assessments and installments on assessments that are
1816not paid when due bear interest from the due date until paid at
1817the rate provided in the declaration of covenants or the bylaws
1818of the association, which rate may not exceed the rate allowed
1819by law. If no rate is provided in the declaration or bylaws,
1820interest accrues at the rate of 18 percent per year.
1821     (a)  If the declaration or bylaws so provide, the
1822association may also charge an administrative late fee in an
1823amount not to exceed the greater of $25 or 5 percent of the
1824amount of each installment that is paid past the due date.
1825     (b)  Any payment received by an association and accepted
1826shall be applied first to any interest accrued, then to any
1827administrative late fee, then to any costs and reasonable
1828attorney's fees incurred in collection, and then to the
1829delinquent assessment. This paragraph applies notwithstanding
1830any restrictive endorsement, designation, or instruction placed
1831on or accompanying a payment. A late fee is not subject to the
1832provisions of chapter 687 and is not a fine.
1833     (8)  If the parcel is occupied by a tenant and the parcel
1834owner is delinquent in paying any monetary obligation due to the
1835association, the association may demand that the tenant pay rent
1836to the association and continue to make such payments until all
1837the monetary obligations of the parcel owner related to the
1838parcel have been paid in full and the future monetary
1839obligations related to the parcel. The demand is continuing in
1840nature, and upon demand, the tenant must continue to pay the
1841monetary obligations until the association releases the tenant
1842or until the tenant discontinues tenancy in the parcel. A tenant
1843who acts in good faith in response to a written demand from an
1844association is immune from any claim by from the parcel owner
1845related to the rent once the association has made written
1846demand. Any payment received from a tenant by the association
1847must be applied to the parcel owner's oldest delinquent monetary
1848obligation.
1849     (a)  If the tenant paid prepaid rent to the parcel owner
1850for a given rental period before receiving the demand from the
1851association and provides written evidence of prepaying paying
1852the rent to the association within 14 days after receiving the
1853demand, the tenant shall receive credit for the prepaid rent for
1854the applicable period but and must make any subsequent rental
1855payments to the association to be credited against the monetary
1856obligations of the parcel owner to the association. The
1857association shall, upon request, provide the tenant with written
1858receipts for payments made. The association shall mail written
1859notice to the parcel owner of the association's demand that the
1860tenant pay monetary obligations to the association.
1861     (b)  The tenant is not liable for increases in the amount
1862of the monetary obligations due unless the tenant was notified
1863in writing of the increase at least 10 days before the date on
1864which the rent is due. The liability of the tenant may not
1865exceed the amount due from the tenant to the tenant's landlord.
1866The tenant shall be given a credit against rents due to the
1867parcel owner in the amount of assessments paid to the
1868association.
1869     (c)  The association may issue notices under s. 83.56 and
1870may sue for eviction under ss. 83.59-83.625 as if the
1871association were a landlord under part II of chapter 83 if the
1872tenant fails to pay a monetary obligation. However, the
1873association is not otherwise considered a landlord under chapter
187483 and specifically has no obligations duties under s. 83.51.
1875     (d)  The tenant does not, by virtue of payment of monetary
1876obligations, have any of the rights of a parcel owner to vote in
1877any election or to examine the books and records of the
1878association.
1879     (e)  A court may supersede the effect of this subsection by
1880appointing a receiver.
1881     Section 21.  Section 720.309, Florida Statutes, is amended
1882to read:
1883     720.309  Agreements entered into by the association.-
1884     (1)  Any grant or reservation made by any document, and any
1885contract that has with a term greater than in excess of 10
1886years, that is made by an association before control of the
1887association is turned over to the members other than the
1888developer, and that provides which provide for the operation,
1889maintenance, or management of the association or common areas,
1890must be fair and reasonable.
1891     (2)  If the governing documents provide for the cost of
1892communications services as defined in s. 202.11, information
1893services or Internet services obtained pursuant to a bulk
1894contract shall be deemed an operating expense of the
1895association. If the governing documents do not provide for such
1896services, the board may contract for the services, and the cost
1897shall be deemed an operating expense of the association but must
1898be allocated on a per-parcel basis rather than a percentage
1899basis, notwithstanding that the governing documents provide for
1900other than an equal sharing of operating expenses. Any contract
1901entered into before July 1, 2011, in which the cost of the
1902service is not equally divided among all parcel owners may be
1903changed by a majority of the voting interests present at a
1904regular or special meeting of the association in order to
1905allocate the cost equally among all parcels.
1906     (a)  Any contract entered into by the board may be canceled
1907by a majority of the voting interests present at the next
1908regular or special meeting of the association, whichever occurs
1909first. Any member may make a motion to cancel such contract, but
1910if no motion is made or if such motion fails to obtain the
1911required vote, the contract shall be deemed ratified for the
1912term expressed therein.
1913     (b)  Any contract entered into by the board must provide,
1914and shall be deemed to provide if not expressly set forth
1915therein, that a hearing-impaired or legally blind parcel owner
1916who does not occupy the parcel with a non-hearing-impaired or
1917sighted person, or a parcel owner who receives supplemental
1918security income under Title XVI of the Social Security Act or
1919food assistance as administered by the Department of Children
1920and Family Services pursuant to s. 414.31, may discontinue the
1921service without incurring disconnect fees, penalties, or
1922subsequent service charges, and may not be required to pay any
1923operating expenses charge related to such service for those
1924parcels. If fewer than all parcel owners share the expenses of
1925the communications services, information services, or Internet
1926services, the expense must be shared by all participating parcel
1927owners. The association may use the provisions of s. 720.3085 to
1928enforce payment by the parcel owners receiving such services.
1929     (c)  A resident of any parcel, whether a tenant or parcel
1930owner, may not be denied access to available franchised,
1931licensed, or certificated cable or video service providers if
1932the resident pays the provider directly for services. A resident
1933or a cable or video service provider may not be required to pay
1934anything of value in order to obtain or provide such service
1935except for the charges normally paid for like services by
1936residents of single-family homes located outside the community
1937but within the same franchised, licensed, or certificated area,
1938and except for installation charges agreed to between the
1939resident and the service provider.
1940     Section 22.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
feedback