Bill restricting HOAs’ fees is in Legislative limbo

A Senate bill that would define how much collection agencies could charge and cap the total at $1,800 is floating around in Legislature limbo.

Democratic Sen. Allison Copening, who represents District 6 in Clark County, introduced Senate Bill 243 on March 16. The bill aims to revise provisions relating to financial obligations in common-interest communities. Copening is the primary sponsor of the bill.

The legislation calls for $150 less than what common-interest community regulations adopted in December with its $1,950 cap.

“Because of all the foreclosures, some collection companies saw this as an opportunity to cash in by charging egregious fees for collection costs,” Copening told the Nevada State Committee on Government Affairs during a March 24 meeting.

No action has been taken on this bill, according to the state’s legislative website.

There are at least 17 bills in the Legislature relating to homeowners association regulations throughout the state. There are about 3,000 homeowners associations in Nevada.

Republican Sen. Elizabeth Halseth, who represents District 9 in Clark County, proposed a similar bill a few weeks earlier on Feb. 24, which would limit the amount charged to homeowners to cover the costs of collecting past due bills.

Senate Bill 195 would cap the total collection agencies could charge at $1,200.

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard the bill during an April 1 meeting. No action has been taken on this bill, according to the state’s legislative website. Halseth is the primary sponsor of the bill.

Senators Don Gustavson, Ben Kieckhefer, Ruben Kihuen, Mike McGinness, Michael Roberson and assemblymen Steven Brooks, John Ellison, Edwin Goedhart, John Hambrick and Randy Kirner are co-sponsors.

For more information about the bills or to track their progress, visit nelis.leg.state.nv.us/76th2011 and click on “Bills” to search.

Contact Downtown and North Las Vegas View reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@viewnews.com or 383-0492.