Community Associations Institute is dedicated to advocating for legislation and public policy that improves the governance and sustainability of community associations. As 2026 approaches, CAI’s local, state, and federal, government affairs and advocacy efforts remain member-driven and focused on refining state policy outcomes to strengthen the community association housing model.
To effectively shape CAI’s 2026 legislative agenda, the Government and Public Affairs team annually conducts a comprehensive survey engaging CAI members across the country including state and federal legislative action committee members and industry leaders such as the CAI Board of Trustees, chapter leaders, membership representation groups, and the College of Community Association Lawyers. CAI’s Government and Public Affairs Committee and staff prioritize member alignment and engagement, creditable data, transparency, and proactive positioning when it comes to our legislative and advocacy initiatives.
The survey results, along with 2025 trends, led to the identification of the key legislative priorities for 2026:
Community Governance
Board Authority and Transparency. With constituent complaints related to elections and access to books and records, CAI legislative committees see an increased focus on this issue in legislative proposals. CAI believes that board members should act within the boundaries of their authority defined by law and the governing documents of their association. Association leaders have a legal and ethical obligation to adhere to the association’s governing documents and abide by all applicable laws. Boards should have the authority to set expectations of owners and non-owner residents to meet the financial obligations to their community association. It is important for board members to balance the needs and obligations of the community with those of individual homeowners and residents. Board members should conduct open, fair, and well-publicized meetings and elections. Board members must disclose personal or professional relationships with companies or business relationships with the community. Board members must provide access to books and records upon request as required by the law and governing documents.
Board Member Education. CAI understands the importance of making board member education accessible to all. In recent years, state legislatures have been discussing policy around mandated forms of board member education including education on the housing model, fair housing, etc. CAI encourages board members to get education without state mandates. If states are considering mandated board member education, CAI recommends legislatures work with CAI’s state legislative action committees to establish a minimum level of education for all community association board members.
Dispute Resolution Procedures. In February 2025, CAI updated its dispute resolution public policy to reinforce a core industry principle: community associations should drive their own dispute-resolution processes to ensure flexibility while protecting the rights of homeowners and associations. Alternative Dispute Resolution is required in many states. Even in jurisdictions where ADR is not required by law, CAI strongly recommends the adoption of policies to offer ADR as an option to address disputes between individual unit owners and between owners and the association. In certain cases, ADR can be used between associations and external entities such as developers. Community associations should have wide discretion to choose precisely how to implement ADR within their community. Determining the method of ADR may depend on the issues or parties involved, or the resources readily available to a particular community.
Manager and Management Company Disclosures. Recent state-level public policy trends and stakeholder conversations are increasingly holding community association managers and management companies to higher standards of transparency, accountability, and disclosure. These initiatives and ongoing conversations reflect a broader policy shift toward demanding that community associations managers and management companies operate with explicit registration, disclosures (financial, contractual, conflict‐of‐interest), and publicly accessible documentation to protect homeowners and enhance governance. CAI is gathering stakeholder feedback and ensuring conversations continue to guarantee legislation and regulations are favorable to the industry.
Collections of Assessments and Covenant Enforcement
Collection of Delinquent Assessments. CAI encourages the creation and continuation of effective methods to ensure efficient, economic, and successful association collection procedures. CAI opposes the enactment of overreaching governmental limitations on collection of assessments, fees, and other charges. CAI supports laws that strengthen collection methods provided they are undertaken in a fair and reasonable manner, give the affected owners notice, the opportunity to be heard, and other due process protections. In October 2025, CAI also updated its assessment increase limitations public policy recognizing that state legislatures must understand that a board’s decision to adjust assessments is never made arbitrarily. Rather, decisions are based on in-depth knowledge of community finances and operations with consideration for all parties. CAI supports a community association’s board of directors’ reasonable discretion to determine appropriate assessment levels and favors governing documents that empower a board to raise assessments when necessary.
Foreclosures and Fining Authority. In December 2025, CAI updated its foreclosures and fining authority public policy to address the increase in legislation nationwide addressing foreclosure and collection procedures in community associations. The authority of community associations to foreclose for unpaid assessments or fines has been under examination by state legislatures and media outlets. CAI emphasizes the need for fair and equitable foreclosure procedures that protect homeowners, property values, and the financial health of community associations by ensuring foreclosures are completed in a timely and reasonable manner.
Condominium Safety and Financing
Building Inspections, Maintenance, Condominium Repair, and Maintenance Financing. CAI supports laws that provide for ongoing inspections of the structure and façades of a building that could have a negative impact on the safety and stability of the structure and endanger the safety of the occupants of a common interest residential building or a mixed-use building. CAI also promotes the connection of owners and/or community associations with funding mechanisms necessary to help finance necessary repairs either as part of maintenance or if discovered during an inspection. Following the Surfside condominium collapse, state legislatures and local governments have been discussing financing means and opportunities for condominium repair and maintenance. CAI continues to emphasize the importance of building safety through proactive maintenance measures, financial sustainability, and funding for repairs and maintenance in condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations.
Reserve Studies and Funding. States continue to navigate reserve study and funding requirements in the wake of the Surfside tragedy. CAI and its legislative action committees continue to lead the conversation with legislators around proper reserve study standards. CAI recommends statutorily mandating reserve studies and funding for all community associations. CAI recommends additional requirements by developers during the development process and prior to transition to homeowners.
Insurance
Insurance and Risk Management. CAI supports policies that help improve access to affordable insurance for community associations. Increasing insurance premium can make it unaffordable for community associations to obtain and maintain coverage that meets best practices, their governing documents, and the law. CAI continues to work with stakeholders and state legislatures to address solutions for community associations. CAI believes that an effective risk management program can best be achieved if associations and their governing boards work with recognized community association professionals. CAI further believes that a comprehensive association insurance program must focus on meeting a broad range of legal and lender requirements. Risk management and insurance programs require that risks be fully evaluated and that funding by commercial insurance or self-insurance must be completely analyzed.
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing. As a shortage of affordable housing located near employment and transportation continues, CAI continues to engage in conversations on how condominiums and housing cooperatives can be positioned as affordable solutions. CAI supports efforts to increase access to affordable and stable housing for all people including those who choose to rent or own homes in community associations. CAI also supports the establishment of diverse housing options including middle housing and workforce housing options as long as protections for existing community associations are preserved.
Self-Governance of Community Associations
Community Values (i.e., accessory dwelling units, solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, landscaping, etc.). CAI supports the rights of community associations to self-govern and to reasonably regulate factors related to community values. CAI supports legislation that recognizes the core principle of self-governance, co-ownership of common property, and the community association housing model. CAI encourages policymakers to engage industry stakeholders including community association homeowners, board members, volunteer leaders, developers, community managers, and business partners, on this issue.
Many state sessions begin in January with 46 states convening. Follow what’s happening in your state by visiting CAI’s website with a real-time legislative tracking map www.caionline.org/advocacy and subscribe to our CAI Advocacy Blog – https://advocacy.caionline.org.
Please contact CAI’s Government and Public Affairs team at government@caionline.org with any questions.
