Florida Lawmakers Push for HOA Reform with HB 657

Bill aims to create state-funded courts for HOA disputes and make it easier for residents to dissolve their associations

Feb. 28, 2026 at 1:07am

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Lawmakers in Florida are pushing for major changes to how the state handles disputes and oversight within homeowners associations (HOAs). A new bill, HB 657, has cleared a key hurdle in the House, receiving unanimous support from the Budget Committee. The bill aims to create state-funded courts to handle HOA and condo disputes, give residents a process to dissolve their HOAs, and require HOA bylaws to automatically update when state laws change.

Why it matters

Florida has seen several high-profile HOA scandals in recent years, involving millions in stolen funds and abuse of power by board members. The current laws are seen as having "toothless" enforcement, allowing bad actors to dodge consequences. This bill is a response to growing frustration among Florida homeowners over HOA overreach, steep fines, and a lack of accountability.

The details

HB 657 has three main components: 1) Creating state-funded courts focused on HOA and condo disputes, replacing the current mediation system; 2) Giving residents a process to dissolve their HOA, though it requires gathering petitions, holding an election, and getting a judge's approval; 3) Requiring HOA bylaws to automatically update whenever state law changes, to hold boards more accountable.

  • HB 657 just cleared the House Budget Committee with unanimous support.
  • The matching Senate bill, SB 1498, has also cruised through committees without a single 'no' vote.
  • HB 657 now heads to the House Commerce Committee, one more stop before a full House vote.
  • SB 1498 still has two more Senate committees to clear before reaching a full vote.

The players

Juan Carlos Porras

Miami Republican leading the charge on HB 657, says the bill results from years of pent-up frustration among Floridians living under HOA rules.

Spencer Henning

Florida's former condo ombudsman, who said the current laws have 'toothless' enforcement, allowing HOA board members who act in bad faith to dodge consequences.

Fentrice Driskell

House Democratic Leader, who raised a question about the new judge positions created by the bill, noting that the Legislature can set up new courts but cannot limit the judges' authority to just HOA and condo cases.

Jennifer Bradley

Republican Senator from Fleming Island, who introduced the matching Senate bill SB 1498 that has also cleared its first committee with unanimous support.

HOA Reform League

A group that backed HB 657.

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What they’re saying

“This is just a first step.”

— Juan Carlos Porras, State Representative

“The current laws have 'toothless' enforcement, allowing board members who act in bad faith to dodge consequences.”

— Spencer Henning, Former Florida Condo Ombudsman

“The Legislature can set up new courts, like they did with Veterans Court back in 2012, but these new judges won't be handling only HOA and condo disputes.”

— Fentrice Driskell, House Democratic Leader

What’s next

HB 657 now heads to the House Commerce Committee, one more stop before a full House vote. The matching Senate bill, SB 1498, still has two more Senate committees to clear before reaching a full vote.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation aims to address long-standing frustrations among Florida homeowners over HOA overreach, lack of accountability, and the inability to easily dissolve their associations. If passed, it could significantly reshape the HOA landscape in the state, providing more oversight and giving residents more power to challenge problematic boards and associations.