Bill > HB1523

This bill establishes comprehensive disclosure and transparency requirements for homeowners' associations (HOAs) in New Hampshire. The legislation mandates that HOAs must retain detailed records, including financial statements, meeting minutes, membership information, organizational documents, contracts, and voting records, and make most of these documents available for examination and copying by members upon five days' written notice. The bill specifies certain records that can be withheld from inspection, such as personnel records, ongoing contract negotiations, potential litigation, attorney-client communications, and individual member account details. HOAs are permitted to charge reasonable copying fees but cannot exceed governmental record copying rates. The bill also restricts HOA boards from conducting executive sessions, allowing them only for specific purposes like consulting legal counsel, discussing personnel matters, or reviewing confidential negotiations, and prohibits taking any final votes during these closed sessions. The Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau within the Department of Justice will be responsible for administering and enforcing these new requirements, with the law taking effect 60 days after passage. While the bill does not provide additional funding, the Department of Justice anticipates potential increased workload and may require additional legal staff to manage expected complaints and investigations.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1876&inflect=2