MarkB5 (Florida)
Posts: 6
Posts: 6
Posted:
Here is a copy of a letter sent to Florida Legislators. Draft 3 is being prepared and is still open for suggestions and recommendations.
If you want a copy of the 7xx Draft please send an email request to [email protected]. Indicate Word or PDF format.
7xx Project for Community Association Legislative Change
Dear Legislator;
Have you ever given any thought to how much time is spent each Session debating and talking to constituents about Homeowner Association issues? Add in Condo and Coop regulation and the result is a great deal of wasted energy and ineffective governmental oversight that costs more money than it is worth. And half your constituents are unhappy no matter which side you choose.
For the last few years, a national discussion has continued to gain momentum which contemplates a streamlined, single regulatory scheme that combines the three mandatory residential association disciplines into one simplified, uniform statute. Such an undertaking would of course take dozens of man hours and would necessitate the input from a vast array of individuals, organizations and practitioners.
In fact, it has been the sheer magnitude of the task which has kept the paradigm shift from ever reaching the drafting stage…until now.
Thanks to the power of the internet, in June of 2009, a never before Bill Drafting methodology was launched, which was as unique as the proposed legislation itself.
Email addresses from over 20,000 Floridians interested in community association issues were accumulated, contacted and invited to participate. The response drew over 400 individuals willing to read three separate sections of statutes; find commonalities, point out duplications and make recommendations that resulted in the formation of single statute requiring less government, more freedom and lower fees.
There has never been such a simultaneous, broad based participation in a legislative drafting exercise as was just completed, and in just four months from beginning to finish.
While it is sure to receive criticism from certain special interests wanting to hold on to the status quo, no one can disagree that combining these three statutes, no matter how it is accomplished, can result in more efficient and cost effective oversight.
The highlights of the proposed legislation are as follows:
1. A single, streamlined uniform statute which addresses; residential Condominiums, Home Owner Associations and Co-ops.
2. Use common language.
3. Replaces DBPR with Dpt. Of Agriculture Consumer Services.
4. Greater accountability for board members.
5. Better access to education and assistance.
6. More education and discipline of CAMs.
7. Removes Time-Share and Condo-Hotel which are better suited in a separate statute.
This innovative approach is available for House and Senate Sponsorship.
Very truly yours,
Mark R. Benson
[email protected]
CAM, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
Past Chairman of the Florida Community Association Living Study Council
Past Member of the Regulatory Council of Community Association Managers
Past Vice-Chairman of the Advisory Council on Condominiums
County Court Mediator
If you want a copy of the 7xx Draft please send an email request to [email protected]. Indicate Word or PDF format.
7xx Project for Community Association Legislative Change
Dear Legislator;
Have you ever given any thought to how much time is spent each Session debating and talking to constituents about Homeowner Association issues? Add in Condo and Coop regulation and the result is a great deal of wasted energy and ineffective governmental oversight that costs more money than it is worth. And half your constituents are unhappy no matter which side you choose.
For the last few years, a national discussion has continued to gain momentum which contemplates a streamlined, single regulatory scheme that combines the three mandatory residential association disciplines into one simplified, uniform statute. Such an undertaking would of course take dozens of man hours and would necessitate the input from a vast array of individuals, organizations and practitioners.
In fact, it has been the sheer magnitude of the task which has kept the paradigm shift from ever reaching the drafting stage…until now.
Thanks to the power of the internet, in June of 2009, a never before Bill Drafting methodology was launched, which was as unique as the proposed legislation itself.
Email addresses from over 20,000 Floridians interested in community association issues were accumulated, contacted and invited to participate. The response drew over 400 individuals willing to read three separate sections of statutes; find commonalities, point out duplications and make recommendations that resulted in the formation of single statute requiring less government, more freedom and lower fees.
There has never been such a simultaneous, broad based participation in a legislative drafting exercise as was just completed, and in just four months from beginning to finish.
While it is sure to receive criticism from certain special interests wanting to hold on to the status quo, no one can disagree that combining these three statutes, no matter how it is accomplished, can result in more efficient and cost effective oversight.
The highlights of the proposed legislation are as follows:
1. A single, streamlined uniform statute which addresses; residential Condominiums, Home Owner Associations and Co-ops.
2. Use common language.
3. Replaces DBPR with Dpt. Of Agriculture Consumer Services.
4. Greater accountability for board members.
5. Better access to education and assistance.
6. More education and discipline of CAMs.
7. Removes Time-Share and Condo-Hotel which are better suited in a separate statute.
This innovative approach is available for House and Senate Sponsorship.
Very truly yours,
Mark R. Benson
[email protected]
CAM, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
Past Chairman of the Florida Community Association Living Study Council
Past Member of the Regulatory Council of Community Association Managers
Past Vice-Chairman of the Advisory Council on Condominiums
County Court Mediator