Task Force on Common Ownership Communities
SB71 establishes a temporary Task Force on Common Ownership Communities to study issues affecting condominiums, cooperative housing corporations, and homeowners associations in Maryland. The task force is directed to examine education and training needs for board members and owners, the feasibility of statewide alternative dispute resolution services, whether a permanent State Commission should be created, whether common ownership community managers should be licensed, and best practices for elections and governance.
The task force is composed of legislators, executive branch officials, consumer protection and dispute resolution representatives, and members of the public with experience as owners, board members, attorneys, insurance professionals, accountants, managers, and builders. The Office of the Attorney General must provide staff support, and the task force must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2026. The bill takes effect June 1, 2025, and automatically sunsets on June 30, 2027.
The bill does not directly amend substantive landlord-tenant, property, or corporate governance statutes; instead, it creates a temporary advisory body to evaluate whether future changes are needed in the laws and oversight structures governing common ownership communities. Its practical effect is to place the Attorney General’s Office in a supporting role and to generate recommendations that could lead to future legislation on board training, dispute resolution, licensing of community managers, and statewide regulation or oversight of HOAs, condominiums, and cooperatives.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a study and fact-finding effort rather than a controversial policy change. The composition of the task force suggests an intent to balance perspectives from government, consumer protection, industry, and community stakeholders. Overall sentiment appears neutral to supportive, with the bill presented as a collaborative effort to gather information and improve governance in common ownership communities.
The main points of potential contention are the scope of state involvement and regulation in common ownership communities. Possible disagreements may arise over whether Maryland should create a permanent commission, require licensing for community managers, or expand statewide alternative dispute resolution and enforcement resources through the Attorney General. Stakeholders likely to differ include homeowners and board members seeking stronger protections and clearer standards, versus managers, builders, and community associations that may be wary of added regulation, costs, or administrative burdens.