We were advised that the California Senate Transportation & Housing Committee is prepared to vote on SB 563 (DeSaulnier) that deals with Community Association Board Meetings. We encourage you to contact the members of this Committee and tell them to vote “NO” on SB 563 which will, if made law, prohibit any actions and communications among community association board directors outside of noticed board meetings (excluding emergencies). Both the California Legislative Action Committee of Community Associations Institute (CLAC) and the Cailfornia Association of Community Managers are opposed to this bill in its current form.
Community associations are, for the most part, corporations and are required to comply with the sections of the California Corporations Code and Civil Code that already deal with the requirements for making decisions, taking actions in furtherance of their fiduciary duties, and reporting to the members.
Board members are volunteers, and things are always coming up that require their action. Day-to-day matters need to be acted upon as they arise, and holding off until the next board meeting (which may not be for months) may be impossible or impractical for a variety of reasons.
Nobody has presented any information regarding abuses that would warrant this proposed legislation, which will make it more difficult for boards to carry out their responsibilities.
Please follow this link for a notice from CLAC that provides information as to where to voice your objections to SB 563.
CLAC sets forth the following reasons to OPPOSE SB 563:
1. Prohibits directors from talking about ANY item outside of a noticed meeting.
2. Cripples a board’s ability to act on non-emergency but essential items between meetings.
3. Wipes out the ability for directors to agree by written consent between meetings, a long standing right for all other corporations.
4. Requires additional notices, costing HOAs more money.
5. Informs members about Executive Committee meetings that they are not allowed to attend, causing severe member frustration.
6. Impossible to enforce; even casual conversation at social events could be intentionally unlawful.
7. Will lead to litigation; minor perceived violations will be seized upon.
8. How can directors even talk or email about convening the next meeting?
9. Informal outreach and “walk around” gatherings among members and board directors would be unlawful.