Minn. bill allows solar panels in HOA communities The Minnesota House passed a bill Wednesday that would enable homeowners to install solar panels on their roofs without retribution from their HOAs as long as they own their roofs and aren’t part of a multi-family unit. Roughly 20% of the state’s HOAs, or up to 2,000 households, will be affected. “Solar represents a chance for suburbanites to do something about greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rep. Will Morgan, who introduced the bill. A similar bill has been heard in Missouri’s House Midwest Energy News (4/22)

How to respond to disability accommodation requests Condo associations and homeowners associations should create a policy that outlines how to respond to disability accommodations to avoid lawsuits while upholding standards for the community at large, writes Pamela Dittmer McKuen. McKuen advises that all accommodation requests be submitted in writing, information from a health professional should connect the disability to the accommodation being asked for, and all payment information regarding the modification should be documented. Board members should also remember that they are not allowed to ask detailed questions about one’s disability. Chicago Tribune (tiered subscription model) (4/27)

Colo. bill would put red tape on construction-defects lawsuits Colorado politicians are reviewing a proposed bill that would mandate that homeowner associations seeking to sue condo builders for construction defects must receive written consent from the majority of unit owners first and go through mediation prior to filing a lawsuit. HOA groups oppose the bill, saying they believe it keeps homeowners from protecting themselves via lawsuits and would require them to foot large repair bills should mediation result in funding caps. American City Business Journals (4/25)

CAMICB News

CAI Annual Conference Offers CMCAs Education, Networking The upcoming 2014 Community Associations Institute Annual Conference and Exposition, May 14 to 17 at Loews Royal Pacific at Universal Orlando, offers an opportunity for CMCAs to earn up to 15 continuing education credits toward CMCA recertification. The conference is expected to bring together more than 1,000 community managers, management company executives, product and service providers, and association board members from around the world for a content-rich educational event. The CAI conference is an opportunity for CMCAs to network with peers, meet personally with members of the CAMICB staff team, and learn about innovative best practices in community association management.