HB 381 Summary

• Creates a Condominium Dispute Resolution Commission within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs consisting of seven voting members: two unit owners, two association board members, one licensed attorney, one real estate commission member, and one public member.

• Establishes a Commission Ombudsman appointed by the commission for five-year terms (maximum two terms) to investigate disputes between associations and unit owners, with salary paid from a special fund.

• Authorizes the commission to charge associations up to $4.25 per unit to fund the ombudsman's salary and related operational costs through a dedicated special fund.

• Grants the ombudsman power to receive complaints, conduct investigations, maintain confidentiality of complainants, and submit findings and recommendations to the commission without charging fees to complainants.

• Requires the commission to meet at least four times annually, adopt rules under chapter 91, and submit annual reports to the governor and legislature on dispute resolution activities and special fund status.