BILL REQ. #:  S-4746.1 

Read first time 01/30/08.   Referred to Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing.

     AN ACT Relating to creation of the condominium act governance task force; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that many Washington residents are impacted by the laws governing condominium associations found in chapter 64.34 RCW. The legislature further finds that the impact of these laws is of significant importance because these laws affect both a unit owner's property values and his or her sense of security and happiness in his or her home and community. The legislature recognizes that the provisions regulating condominium governance in chapter 64.34 RCW should be thoroughly reviewed to ensure transparency and openness in condominium governance.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The condominium act governance task force is created with ten members as provided in this subsection.
     (a) The majority leader of the senate shall appoint one member from the senate.
     (b) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one member from the house of representatives.
     (c) The majority leader of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives jointly shall appoint eight nonlegislative members of the task force, which shall include three condominium board members representing three different condominium associations, three unit owners who own a unit that is their primary residence in a condominium that is governed by chapter 64.34 RCW, and two attorneys with expertise in condominium governance.
     (2) The task force shall:
     (a) Convene as soon as possible upon the appointment of its members;
     (b) Elect a chair and adopt rules for conducting the business of the task force;
     (c) Thoroughly study condominium association governance law including, but not limited to, the following:
     (i) The provisions regulating condominium association governance contained in chapter 64.34 RCW;
     (ii) Statutes regulating condominium associations in other states; and
     (iii) Other model statutes the task force deems relevant;
     (d) Determine and document perceived and actual shortcomings of the condominium governance statutes contained in chapter 64.34 RCW;
     (e) Draft proposed legislation revising the condominium governance statutes in chapter 64.34 RCW if the task force determines that the statutes could be improved in any way; and
     (f) Take public testimony for at least thirty minutes at every second meeting.
     (3) Staff support for the task force must be provided by the senate committee services and the house of representatives office of program research.
     (4) Legislative members of the task force must be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.
     (5) The task force shall report its findings and any proposed legislation to the legislature by September 10, 2008.
     (6) This section expires December 31, 2008.