MN HF4199

Establishes an Office of Ombudsperson for Common Interest Communities within the commissioner's office, staffed by an attorney experienced with Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act to assist unit owners, associations, and the public with dispute resolution and advisory opinions.

Creates a common interest community court calendar program in the Second and Fourth Judicial Districts (and optionally in other districts) with referees to hear disputes involving rights, duties, and liabilities under Chapter 515B and governing documents.

Requires associations to establish fair and expeditious dispute resolution procedures and mandates a "meet and confer" process between unit owners and associations before disputes can proceed to court.

Mandates alternative dispute resolution (mediation, arbitration, or conciliation) as a prerequisite to filing enforcement actions in district court, with a 30-day response period and 90-day completion timeline, tolling the statute of limitations during these periods.

Imposes annual fees on common interest community associations based on unit owner numbers to fund the ombudsperson office and allows prevailing parties to recover attorney fees in enforcement actions, with courts considering parties' participation in alternative dispute resolution.