HB 2680 Summary

• Establishes an ombudsman's office for condominium associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to investigate complaints, provide dispute intervention, and enforce compliance with condominium laws and governing documents.

• Replaces mandatory mediation and arbitration (sections 514B-161 and 514B-162) with a new dispute intervention process administered by the ombudsman's office, with complaints and enforcement officers investigating disputes and issuing binding decisions.

• Requires all condominium association board members to complete educational classes established by the ombudsman within three months of taking office and every three years thereafter.

• Creates the ombudsman's office special fund to be funded by 100% of condominium education trust fund fees and fines collected, with no impact on the state's general fund; increases annual per-unit fees from $1.50 to $12.50 effective July 1, 2025.

• Authorizes the ombudsman to remove board members found guilty of willful misconduct, monitor elections if petitioned by 15% of common interests or six unit owners, and prohibits unit owners from being assessed association legal fees incurred in dispute intervention proceedings where the owner prevails.