Sen. Susan Pha, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and Sen. Eric Lucero, R-Saint Michael, present their bill aimed at reining in HOAs at a meeting of the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention committee on March 12, 2025. Photo by Madison McVan/Minnesota Reformer.
A bill that would place limits on the power of homeowners’ associations advanced out of the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention committee Thursday on a unanimous vote.
The Reformer has reported on the stories of homeowners who received massive, unexpected bills for repairs. In some communities, the property management company also owns a construction company, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.
The bill (SF1750/HF1268) would require homeowners’ association boards to create a schedule of fines and fees and distribute it to homeowners; ensure homeowners can contest an HOA fine; provide reasonable time to correct rule violations; and outlaw the practice of charging homeowners for asking questions.
It also would require property management companies to disclose conflicts of interest — for example, their financial stake in a construction firm — to HOA boards and homeowners.
HOA board members who testified said the requirements would increase the burden on unpaid board members and make it even harder to recruit volunteers.
Sen. Rich Draheim, R-Madison Lake, said he hoped the bill would send a message to industries that they should clean up wrongdoing so the state doesn’t have to step in.
“The libertarian in me is bothered that we have to do this, but I don’t think we have a choice,” Draheim said before voting to advance the bill.
The legislation will now go to the judiciary committee, and must also clear the state and local government committee before going to the Senate floor. The House version of the bill is awaiting a housing committee hearing.
The Senate housing committee also passed the “More Homes, Right Places Act,” (SF2231/HF2140) which would direct cities to designate zones along main roads to allow higher-density residential development, and a bill that would eliminate parking minimums statewide (SF1268/HF1309).