S1498 Proposed Changes to Community Association Records and Governance — Bill Dies in Committee
Senate Bill 1498, filed during the 2026 legislative session, proposed significant revisions to Florida community association law affecting records management, electronic voting procedures, developer oversight, and homeowner inspection rights. The bill did not advance to passage and died in the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government on March 13, 2026.
Proposed Records Violation Standards for Condominiums
The bill sought to revise the conditions that constitute violations of condominium association record provisions under Chapter 718. The source data does not specify the exact language changes proposed, but the bill's focus on records violations indicates an intent to modify enforcement standards governing how associations maintain, store, or provide access to official records. This area remains subject to existing statutory requirements, which CAMs and board members should continue to follow.
Electronic Ballot Handling Without Formal Electronic Voting Adoption
S1498 proposed to modify how associations must handle electronically transmitted ballots in situations where the association has not formally adopted electronic voting procedures. The bill would have established specific protocols for receiving and processing ballots delivered electronically when no official electronic voting system is in place. Without passage, associations continue operating under current statutory frameworks for ballot receipt and voting procedures.
Expansion of Developer Turnover Inspections for Cooperative Buildings
The bill proposed to expand developer turnover inspection requirements for cooperative associations. Under current law, these inspections apply only to buildings three stories or higher. S1498 would have extended inspection requirements to all buildings regardless of height, subjecting more cooperative properties to formal developer transition oversight. This change did not become law, and height-based thresholds remain in effect for cooperative turnover inspections.
Homeowners' Association Record Inspection Rights
The bill proposed to establish that official homeowners' association records are open to inspection by certain persons at all reasonable times. This language would have codified inspection rights under Chapter 720, potentially clarifying access standards for authorized inspectors. Without passage, associations continue to operate under existing record inspection statutes.
Bottom Line
S1498 addressed four areas of community association governance—condominium records violations, electronic ballot handling, cooperative building inspections, and HOA record access—but did not advance beyond committee. CAMs and board members should not expect changes to current law in these areas based on this bill. Associations should continue following existing statutory requirements under Chapters 718 and 720 regarding records management, voting procedures, developer transitions, and member inspection rights.