Articles Posted in Legislative Developments

Earlier this year, California Assemblymember Swanson introduced AB 1726, a bill that would benefit California common interest developments. As amended, the bill has been watered down in some respects but improved in other respects, and it remains a valuable piece of legislation. We have recently been alerted by the California Legislative Action Committee, which supports the bill, that the bill is encountering unexpected opposition in the state senate. Please fax a message to the state senate committee members by Monday, June 28 in support of AB 1726.
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An Editorial by David C. Swedelson, Esq., Senior Partner, SwedelsonGottlieb
Many of you received an urgent request by the California Legislative Action Committee (CLAC) for grassroots letters to be sent to the legislature opposing Assembly Bill 1793 (Saldana). I am not sure that I agree with what CLAC stated, and I really wonder if this is legislation that the CID industry should oppose.

I do not now personally have any artificial turf at my home, but I have considered it. I do have neighbors that have installed it, and my daughter’s school installed it on the athletic field. I do not have an interest in any company that manufactures, sells or installs artificial turf.

Today’s artificial turf looks a lot different than the “Astroturf” we may be familiar with. Esthetically, the newer products I have seen look like real grass. Even if I get on my hands and knees to check, it is hard to tell if it is artificial grass.
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As you hopefully know by now, as of July 1, 2006, the way all California community associations conduct elections and membership votes was changed. Among the major changes is the requirement that all elections and certain other membership votes be held by secret ballot pursuant to operating rules. This includes votes for the selection and removal of members of the board, amendments to the governing documents, votes regarding assessments, and the grant of exclusive use common area. In addition, the role of the inspectors of election has grown significantly, and the use of proxies, while still permitted, may not be as prevalent as in the past. This new law affects all community associations, irrespective of their size. Failure to comply with the new law could subject an association to a challenge in small claims court. Because this new law is so complex, we are receiving a lot of questions. In response, we present the following frequently asked questions:

1. Our Association has always had secret ballots; can’t we just keep on holding our annual elections as we have been doing for years?

The simple answer is no. The new election law was adopted because Senator Battin from the Coachella Valley somehow came to believe that fraud was rampant within association elections. This was news to us. If an association does not comply with the new law, which includes, among other things, the adoption of election rules and procedures, which specify procedures for voting by secret ballot, designating and detailing the responsibilities of the inspector(s) of election, the voting results can be challenged and a fine imposed on the association. We do not believe that the new election law is required as we certainly do not see rampant fraud at associations, but it is the law and if you do not fully comply, there are potential serious consequences.

Please do not shoot the messenger as we are only reporting the news. On September 18, 2006, the Governor signed S.B. 1560 (the “Amendment”), which modifies recently enacted Civil Code Section 1363.03. This “cleanup bill” clarifies some troublesome issues, which will hopefully allow associations to get through the election process more efficiently.

• §1363.03(e)(1)

One of the provisions in 1363.03 required homeowners, when voting by secret ballot, to write his or her name in their own hand on the exterior envelope sent to the inspector(s) of election and state their unit, lot or tract number. The Amendment allows an owner to sign the exterior envelope and indicate the owner’s name or address or separate interest identifier that entitles that owner to vote. Therefore, the homeowner will no longer have to print their name, unit, lot and tract number in their own hand but may instead utilize a label. However, the member is still required to sign his or her name.

On July 1st, 2006, the way community associations have traditionally conducted annual meetings and/or taken votes will be history. This new law, set out in new Civil Code Section 1363.03, will affect how all homeowners associations in California will conduct most of their voting and elections, including the election of directors, a vote by the membership for assessment increases, amendments to the governing documents, and grant of exclusive use common area (subject to the limitations of Civil Code Section 1363.07). This new law was premised on what we believe is the mistaken opinion that association elections and balloting are “fraught with fraud.” The big change is that all voting will be by secret ballot. There is cleanup legislation that has been proposed, which expands the secret ballot process to all association votes. Failure to comply with these new rules could, by court order, set aside the results of an election or vote taken by an association and/or could subject an association to a penalty of five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation.

The newly required Election Rules and Regulations (Rules) are considered “operating” rules under the Civil Code, which will require that they first be sent out to the owners for comment. The Rules should set forth the process by which membership meetings are to be conducted, how voting is to occur and who is in charge. No longer may the association’s managing agent (unless your Rules provide otherwise) be in charge of the registration process nor may they assist the inspector(s) of election (“inspector(s)”) with the vote tally. While the number of inspector(s) has not changed (either one (1) or three (3)), the new law requires associations to specify how they are going to select the inspector(s), requires the inspector(s) to be independent third parties which include, but are not limited to, volunteer poll workers with the county registrar of voters, a licensed CPA, or a notary public. Although inspector(s) may be a member of the association, that member cannot be related to a board member, nor a candidate for election to the board of directors, a member related to the candidate, or be a person that is currently employed by or under contract to the association unless expressly authorized by the Rules. The inspector(s) must be selected prior to the vote or election as the inspector(s)’ role and responsibilities have been expanded.

If an association’s governing documents require an annual meeting to elect the board of directors (“board”), you will still be required to follow the Civil Code-mandated process. Cumulative voting and quorum requirements set forth in the governing documents remain controlling. The association or its managing agent will be obligated to provide information to the inspector(s) so that the inspector(s) can determine which members are in good standing and have a right to vote, notify members that they have a right to run for the board, the right to submit a candidacy statement, the right to utilize the association’s media in the same manner that any other candidate is utilizing an association’s media, which includes (by way of example) the association’s website or newsletter, if applicable. The board must be consistent with the procedures as they are to be applied to all members. Further, associations must provide access for all members to the association’s common area meeting space (or spaces) so that the member/candidate can have a forum to discuss their candidacy or anything reasonably related to the election.