CAI’s California Legislative Action Committee (CLAC) is poised to again hit the ground running as a positive force for community associations in 2013. On October 18, 2012, the committee held its annual planning meeting in the picturesque Eagle’s View Ballroom at the Pechanga Resort in Temecula, California.  There, CLAC delegates representing CAI’s eight California chapters, with valuable input from CLAC advocate Skip Daum, CLAC liaisons, current and incoming presidents, and executive directors also in attendance on behalf of CAI chapters across the state, began to formulate the legislative priorities which will drive the committee’s efforts in 2013.

The meeting began with introductions of all in attendance, and the installation of the 2012-13 CLAC officers:

Chair – Pamela Voit, PCAM, CMCA, AMS

Vice Chair – Darren Bevan, Esq.

Treasurer – Ramona Acosta, PCAM, CCAM, CMCA, AMS

Secretary – John Bowman, PCAM, CCAM

Legislative Co-Chair – Nathan McGuire, Esq.

Legislative Co-Chair – John MacDowell, Esq.

Public Relations Chair – Kimberly Lilley, CMCA, CIRMS

Past Chair – Earl “Dick” Pruess

After reflecting upon the legislative developments and CLAC successes of the past year, participants received an update on issues impacting community associations across the country presented by special guests Dawn Bauman and Michael Hedge of CAI National.  It was then time to think ahead to 2013.  Discussion of potential legislative priorities was, as always, quite lively, with both the newer participants and CLAC veterans making important contributions to the dialogue.  Meeting participants truly came prepared to identify and focus on key areas of concern. 

As a result, the delegates determined to move forward with promoting 2013 legislation to enable online balloting in common interest developments (CIDs).  With organizations other than community associations (including some of our own CAI chapters) already enjoying the efficiencies of online balloting, the benefits of such systems are evident.  CLAC is eager to make online balloting for community associations a key legislative priority in 2013.  The CLAC delegates believe potential cost savings and encouragement of greater owner participation are just two of the potential benefits that could result from successful implementation of online balloting legislation for California CIDs.

In addition, CLAC delegates committed the organization to engage in detailed research on the impact of foreclosures upon community associations.  With many of the delegates’ priorities and concerns continuing to relate to association solvency, foreclosure issues will remain a critical focus of CLAC attention in the coming year.

Nancy I. Sidoruk is an attorney with Epsten Grinnell & Howell, APC, and serves as Legislative Support Committee chair and delegate to CLAC for CAI-Greater Inland Empire.