by Tom Schild
The headline news—Republican Larry Hogan takes over as Maryland Governor.
Beyond the headlines, the leadership of the legislative committees which craft most new laws regulating Maryland condominiums and homeowner associations will undergo the most sweeping change in a nearly decade. Although the Maryland General Assembly remains firmly in Democratic hands, there will be several new committee chairs in 2015.
The previous chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee has been elected Maryland Attorney General. In the House of Delegates, the longtime chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee is leaving that committee to become chair of the House Appropriations Committee. And, the House Real Property Subcommittee will see new leadership since the prior chair did not run for re-election.
What does this mean for legislation regarding governance of condos and HOAs? Uncertainty.
With changes in committee leadership and newly-elected legislators joining the committees responsible for reviewing bills concerning the Maryland Condominium Act and Maryland Homeowners Association Act, 2015 will be a year for learning about legislative proposals which have been under consideration the past few years.
Likely to be introduced again are bills concerning state licensing of community association managers, condominium construction warranties, and condominium resale disclosures. Legislation on these matters previously had significant support but will now get a fresh look. Whether any of these bills will pass in 2015 remains to be seen.
Any legislation approved by the General Assembly must also pass scrutiny by the new Governor who campaigned on promises of lower taxes and less government regulation. With extensive business experience in real estate development and sales, Governor Hogan can be expected to carefully review legislation affecting the development, sale, and management of property in condominium and homeowner association communities.
For 2015, the only certainty is uncertainty.
POSTED BY: Thomas Schild Law Group, LLC, www.schildlaw.com