allowing remote and hybrid meetings for the governing body of the organization of unit owners.
Summary
HB 1343 updates New Hampshire condominium law to expressly allow unit owners’ associations and boards of directors to conduct meetings remotely or in hybrid format. The bill authorizes meetings by telephonic, video, or other interactive electronic communication, so long as participants can communicate simultaneously. It also allows electronic voting, approval of minutes by email or video conference, and electronic participation to count toward quorum requirements.
The bill revises several provisions in RSA 356-B governing condominium governance. It applies to regular and special board meetings, annual and special meetings of unit owners, voting without a meeting, ballot tallying and recount procedures, and budget ratification meetings. It also requires notice and access information for remote meetings, and in some cases requires the board to reschedule an annual meeting within 60 days if a quorum is not met. The act would take effect 60 days after passage.
Impact
The bill would amend multiple sections of RSA 356-B, the condominium statute, by making electronic participation legally equivalent to physical presence for quorum purposes and by expressly permitting remote meetings and electronic votes. It would affect condominium associations, boards of directors, unit owners, and any governing documents that currently restrict or do not address remote participation, because the bill states that these electronic-meeting rules apply notwithstanding contrary declaration or bylaws provisions in several instances. It also adds procedural requirements for notice, access, and recount availability, including electronic versions of ballots and tally sheets.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, recorded vote, or other public discussion in the provided materials, so there is no documented controversy or support/opposition to measure. Based on the bill text alone, the proposal appears practical and administrative in nature, aimed at modernizing condominium governance and making participation easier for owners and board members. The overall tone of the legislation is neutral and facilitative rather than ideological.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of debate, based on the text, could include whether remote participation should override condominium declarations and bylaws, whether electronic meetings adequately protect owner participation and transparency, and whether the notice and access requirements are sufficient. Another possible issue is the treatment of quorum and budget ratification rules, since the bill makes electronic participation count toward quorum and preserves existing ratification thresholds.
In general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in licensing of drivers, further providing for issuance and content of driver's license and for carrying and exhibiting driver's license on demand.
In general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in licensing of drivers, further providing for issuance and content of driver's license and for carrying and exhibiting driver's license on demand.