Minnesota enacts sweeping HOA reform with HF 1268
The governor signed a wide-ranging common interest community reform bill; most provisions take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Minnesota's governor signed HF 1268/SF 1750 on April 29, 2026 — a wide-ranging reform of how homeowners associations and common interest communities operate in the state. Sponsored by Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) and Sen. Eric Lucero (R-St. Michael), the law passed with bipartisan support.
What the law does
The act's provisions add transparency requirements for board meetings and association documents, prohibit conflicts of interest for board members and property managers, ban retaliation against unit owners, add requirements for maintenance contracts, and limit the fines that can be imposed on unit owners. It also creates a new process for terminating an association and restricts a local government's ability to require an HOA as a condition of approving new housing developments.
Effective dates
The law phases in: its definitions took effect May 13, 2026, the day after signature, while most operative provisions take effect January 1, 2027 — including the limit on local governments requiring private common-area property in residential developments that necessitate an association.
What boards should do now
Minnesota associations have a defined runway. Boards should review meeting and records practices against the new transparency requirements, examine manager and vendor relationships for the conflict-of-interest prohibitions, and revisit fine schedules and enforcement policies before the January 1, 2027 effective date.
Sources: Minnesota House Public Information Services; League of Minnesota Cities.