A sweeping bill aimed at fighting condo board corruption by increasing the authority of state regulators unanimously passed the Florida Senate Wednesday and is now headed to the governor’s desk. The bill, dubbed “Condo 3.0,” was spearheaded by State Rep. Vicki Lopez. She led a listening tour where residents complained that boards were often mismanaged and unresponsive to complaints.
Also headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis — a separate bill that creates a $30 million pilot program for condos, allowing them to apply for state hardending grants with the hope of eventually lowering property insurance rates. It’s based on popular program that exists for single family homes.
Lopez said her next task was meeting with DeSantis’ staff and explaining the need for the governor’s signature on both bills.
“I’m ecstatic,” she said Wednesday after the Senate vote on final passage.
The measure creates stronger criminal penalties for condo officials in conflict-of-interest and election violations. It also sets a new level of transparency. Lopez, who represents Key Biscayne and held one of her town halls on the island, explained her bill –HB1021-on the Anti-Social podcast.
Many complaints from condo owners to Lopez were about boards refusing to turn over records – even when the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) ordered them to do so.
“It’s a game-changer,” Lopez said.
This is a developing story and will be updated
Tony Winton is the editor-in-chief of the Key Biscayne Independent and president of Miami Fourth Estate, Inc. He worked previously at The Associated Press for three decades winning multiple Edward R. Murrow awards. He was president of the News Media Guild, a journalism union, for 10 years. Born in Chicago, he is a graduate of Columbia University. His interests are photography and technology, sailing, cooking, and science fiction.