HI HCR63

Request Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to convene a task force to study and develop a plan requiring homeowners association disputes to use alternative dispute resolution before litigation.

Task force composition includes Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Judiciary Alternative Dispute Resolution representative, Ombudsman, homeowners association representative, Legislative Reference Bureau member, and Hawaii Association of Realtors member.

Current homeowners associations lack access to dispute resolution mechanisms available to condominium complexes under Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 514A-121, 514A-121.5, 514A-131, and 514B-161.

Task force must report findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2017 Regular Session.

Litigation over association disputes diverts funds from maintenance and repairs, potentially affecting health and safety in large subdivisions.