This week, hundreds of CAI members gather in Dallas, Texas to celebrate CAI’s 50th anniversary and reconnect with friends and colleagues from around the world. One of CAI’s core objectives is to advocate for public policy that creates the most ideal legislative and regulatory environments for community associations. There are more than 37 legislative action committees, 500 volunteers, and 30 lobbyists advocating at the local, state, and federal levels to maintain the integrity of the community association housing model. CAI member volunteers in Texas will share strategy, experiences, perspective, and leadership to continue to take advocacy efforts to the next level. Here is a summary of these efforts.
RECOGNIZING VOLUNTEERS
Each year, CAI recognizes volunteers who have contributed substantially to CAI’s mission of building better communities. In the area of government and public affairs, the following individuals were recognized:
Ed San George, PCAM (Integra Management Corp., Mt. Arlington, N.J.), was recognized with the Excellence in Government & Public Affairs Award for his tremendous contributions related to condominium safety. Ed served on several task forces that developed the condominium safety public policy recommendations and the reserve study standards. Ed also serves on the New Jersey Legislative Action Committee, where he has been instrumental in introducing and negotiating language for building inspection legislation. Ed is a regular supporter of political campaigns in New Jersey and has been engaged and involved in many meetings with legislators at all levels of government.
The Florida Legislative Alliance (CAI’s Florida Legislative Action Committee) worked diligently to pass comprehensive legislation related to condominium safety and reserves following the tragic condominium collapse in Surfside, Fla., on June 24, 2021. Its tremendous work earned the CAI Legislative Action Committee of the Year Award.
Sandy Denton, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM, and member of the CAI Texas LAC and Government & Public Affairs Committee, is being honored with the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award.
Cliff Treese, CIRSM, member of the Federal Legislative Action Committee, is being honored with the Distinguished Service Award.
ADVOCACY UPDATE AND PRIORITIES
Government & Public Affairs Meeting. More than 150 people from more than 35 states attended the Government & Public Affairs meeting to discuss what is happening at the federal level and exchange information about what is happening throughout the states.
Future blogs will include a full legislative update. Here are some brief highlights from the Government & Public Affairs Committee meeting and the legislative and regulatory update session held at the conference presented by Dawn Bauman, CAE, and Peter Kristian, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, chair of the Government & Public Affairs Committee.
Federal Update. Work continues on priorities, including rolling back Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac condo lending requirements, urging condominium safety low interest government backed loan programs, pursuing reintroduction of the Disaster Assistance Equity Act, supporting the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce, and preserving community association covenants from preemption by HAM Radio operators. More information may be found here: www.caionline.org/takeaction.
State Update. CAI has tracked more than 1,000 bills so far. Condominium safety continues to be discussed in many states, with bills passing in Florida and Tennessee, electric vehicle charging stations, access to solar devices, accessory dwellings (affordable housing), proposals restricting HOAs from prohibiting chicken and bee keeping, and ombudsman and HOA complaint offices.
LACs have experienced a lot of success negotiating bill language, defeating legislation, and passing legislation that helps CAI members. For more detail on what’s happening in your state, click here.
Public Policy Development. We are in the process of updating building inspection, home-based business, and board member education public policies to ensure they are relevant for today’s environment. If you are interested in being involved in the review process, please contact Ben Price, MPP, manager of government & public affairs, at bprice@caionline.org.
NEW RESOURCES RELEASED
The Foundation for Community Association Research released a brand new Best Practices Report on Maintenance. This comprehensive resource provides board members and managers with a guide on how to develop and maintain a maintenance manual for their condominium or community. The FREE guide features resources, guidance, roles and responsibilities, key definition, sample plans, and more.
Reserve Study Standards (UPDATED) – CAI released updated reserve study standards addressing maintenance, building inspections, and long-life components. These updates are critical for reserve study providers to incorporate into their regular practice and provide an excellent tool for board members and managers to better understand what they should be prepared to discuss during their next reserve study.
SAVE THE DATE
The CAI Advocacy Summit is November 2023 in Washington, D.C. Free Registration is available until September. For more information, visit
Mark your calendar for next year’s conference. The 2024 CAI Annual Conference & Exposition: Community NOW will be May 8-11 in Las Vegas. Register Today.
