A key Senate committee gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill designed to refine laws requiring safety inspections for aging condominium buildings and ensuring adequate financial reserves for repairs.

The bill (SB 1742) seeks to provide condo owners with greater financial flexibility while maintaining safety standards, according to Senate Regulated Industries Chairwoman Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island. The committee unanimously approved the measure.

These laws were initially enacted following the tragic 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, which claimed 98 lives. First passed in 2022 and later revised in 2023, the laws mandate “milestone inspections” for older buildings and require “structural integrity reserve” studies to determine necessary funding for major future repairs.

Certain older buildings of three or more stories were required to complete milestone inspections by Dec. 31. However, many condo associations imposed hefty assessments on owners to meet the deadline, adding to their financial burdens on top of regular association fees.

Bradley emphasized that her bill addresses concerns raised by condo owners facing steep assessment increases. She also noted that some condo boards and inspection firms include non-structural items—such as aesthetic upgrades—on reports, inflating costs without affecting building safety.

To streamline the process, the bill would require state regulators to develop a standardized inspection form specifying only the necessary items mandated by law. Additionally, it proposes creating a statewide database of buildings subject to inspection requirements and directing the University of Florida to compile a report on these structures.

A key provision of the bill would allow condo associations to pause or reduce reserve funding for up to two years following milestone reports. It would also establish a process permitting condo boards to invest reserve funds designated for future repairs.

“These measures ensure milestone inspections are completed and buildings remain safe while offering flexibility in funding reserves and maintaining transparency for owners and buyers,” Bradley said.

Beyond the costs associated with post-Surfside regulations, condo associations have also been hit with rising property insurance expenses in recent years.

Legislative leaders argue that many condo buildings require critical upgrades, yet associations often lack sufficient reserves to cover necessary repairs.

The Senate proposal differs from the House version. Notably, the House bill (HB 931) would prohibit the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. from issuing or renewing policies for condos or condo associations that fail to comply with inspection requirements.

“There are different approaches right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find common ground. The Senate bill is exploring various mechanisms to address these issues without compromising safety,” Bradley told reporters after Tuesday’s meeting.

Bradley, who has attended condo meetings statewide, said some structural integrity reports contain errors or include unnecessary items that confuse owners.

“That needs to be fixed,” she said.

She also expressed skepticism about the House proposal to restrict Citizens insurance coverage.

“I don’t see a clear path for that. It’s not something I’d be inclined to support,” she said.

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