FL S1998

Condominium and cooperative associations may file joint petitions with the value adjustment board on behalf of unit owners with substantially similar properties and may continue representing those owners through subsequent proceedings and appeals.

When a property appraiser challenges a value adjustment board decision on a joint petition, the association must notify affected unit owners of their right to retain separate counsel, not defend the appeal, or be represented by the association; unit owners who don't respond will be represented by the association.

Creates criminal penalties for fraudulent voting activities in association elections, including false swearing, vote fraud, ballot tampering, bribery, and intimidation, all punishable as felonies of the third degree.

Requires associations to provide itemized lists and sworn affidavits to unit owners requesting record inspections, creating a rebuttable presumption of compliance; establishes criminal penalties for knowingly and repeatedly violating record inspection requirements.

Expands the Division of Florida Condominiums' jurisdiction to investigate complaints related to maintenance of official records and defines "financial issue" to include budgets, reserve schedules, and financial records; changes the penalty for kickbacks by officers/directors to a felony of the third degree.