HI HB837

Establishes an Ombudsman's Office for Homeowner Associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to address disputes involving homeowners and condominium, cooperative housing, and planned community associations

Creates a dispute intervention process replacing mediation and arbitration, where complaints and enforcement officers investigate disputes and the ombudsman can issue binding decisions, with mandatory participation required from all parties

Requires all board members of homeowner associations to complete educational classes and obtain certification within three months of joining the board, with renewal every three years

Grants the ombudsman authority to remove board members for willful misconduct, subpoena witnesses and documents, impose fines (minimum $250 for false information), and appoint election monitors upon petition by 15% of unit owners or six owners

Establishes an Ombudsman's Office Special Fund funded by the condominium education trust fund, administrative penalties, and assessments from cooperative housing corporations and planned community associations