HB 873 Summary

• Prohibits associations from hiring attorneys who represent the management company and requires associations to maintain bids for materials, equipment, or services as official records.

• Grants renters a right to inspect and copy association bylaws and rules; requires associations with 150+ parcels to post governing documents on a website by July 1, 2019.

• Prohibits association officers, directors, employees, and agents from using debit cards issued in the association's name, with violations prosecutable as credit card fraud under s. 817.61.

• Establishes 8-year consecutive term limits for board members unless approved by two-thirds vote or insufficient eligible candidates exist; creates conflicts of interest provisions prohibiting associations from contracting with service providers owned by board members or their relatives.

• Modifies director recall procedures to require recalled directors to turn over records within 10 business days and implements criminal penalties for officers/directors accepting kickbacks or committing fraud-related crimes, with removal from office and access restrictions.