2026-09-12 · Maryland · Legislation · Did not pass

What happened. A statutory bill of rights for the roughly one million Marylanders who live in community associations died in the House Economic Matters Committee for the fourth consecutive session. House Bill 537 was given a first reading on 27 January 2026 and a hearing notice for 19 February. That is the last recorded action; it died at sine die on 13 April 2026.¹

Across four sessions and five filings, no version has ever been reported out of committee. There has never been a committee vote to lose.

What it would have guaranteed

Delegate Holmes's bill would have created a statutory bill of rights for condominium unit owners, cooperative members and HOA lot owners, adding it at Real Property § 1-105. From the fiscal note, the rights included:²

• Elections: a secret ballot, administered by neutral parties, with results auditable on request; the right to stand as a candidate; and the right to recall an incumbent board member.
• Money: the right to vote on specified financial matters, and on new capital projects by referendum where the governing documents permit.
• Amenities: the right to use all community facilities at a cost not exceeding half what is charged to non-owner eligible users.
• Enforcement: due process in enforcement — written notice of the violation, an opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses at a proper hearing, and a reasonable period to abate.
• Competence: a governing body and community manager who are properly trained and indemnified, providing due process and equal protection.
• Records: timely access to community documents, including inspection and copying.

The Department of Legislative Services put the cost on the Attorney General's office: $316,100 in FY 2027, rising to $413,400 by FY 2031, for staff and software. Small-business effect: “potential meaningful.”²

1. House Bill 537 (2026), Residential Owners in Common Ownership Communities – Bill of Rights — first reading 27 January 2026, hearing noticed 19 February, no committee report, died at sine die; listed as related to HB 557 of 2025 ↩
2. Department of Legislative Services fiscal and policy note, HB 537 (2026) — the enumerated rights including secret ballot, neutral administration, auditable results, recall, cross-examination at enforcement hearings and the half-price amenity cap; $316,100 in FY 2027 rising to $413,400 by FY 2031 ↩
3. CAI Advocacy, 2026 Maryland End of Legislative Session Report — HB 537 opposed, recorded as died in House Economic Matters ↩
4. CHARM Maryland (Common Ownership Community Homeowners Advocating for Reform) — published position statements; the group's two named legislative asks are a right to record board meetings and a state oversight division ↩