Senate Bill No. 100–Committee on Commerce and Labor
CHAPTER..........
AN ACT relating to property; making various changes relating to common-interest communities; creating and prescribing the powers and duties of the Commission for Common-Interest Communities; revising provisions relating to the powers and duties of the Ombudsman for Owners in Common-Interest Communities and the Real Estate Division of the Department of Business and Industry; revising provisions governing the regulation of persons who manage common-interest communities; authorizing the Commission to adjudicate certain violations relating to common-interest communities and to impose fines and take other action with regard to such violations; providing that a unit’s owner has the right to display the flag of the United States under certain circumstances; enacting and revising provisions governing the conduct and activities of unit-owners’ associations, the members of executive boards and declarants; enacting provisions relating to the transient commercial use of a unit; authorizing the use of delegates or representatives to exercise voting rights in certain common-interest communities; authorizing an association to impose construction penalties under certain circumstances and to place and foreclose a lien on a unit for failure to pay such penalties; revising provisions relating to the imposition of fines; making various changes relating to meetings, quorums, voting and the election and removal of members of the executive board; authorizing certain common-interest communities to expend money received as a credit against the residential construction tax for certain purposes; revising provisions relating to the foreclosure of certain liens; making various changes relating to the books, records, reports, studies and other papers of an association; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 116 of NRS is hereby amended by adding
thereto the provisions set forth as sections 2 to 48, inclusive, of this
act.
Sec. 2. “Certificate” means a certificate for the management
of a common-interest community issued by the Division.
Sec. 3. “Commission” means the Commission for Common
-Interest Communities created by section 13 of this act.
Sec. 4. “Community manager” means a person who provides
for or otherwise engages in the management of a common-interest
community.
Sec. 5. “Complaint” means a complaint filed by the
Administrator pursuant to section 31 of this act.
Sec. 6. “Division” means the Real Estate Division of the
Department of Business and Industry.
Sec. 7. “Hearing panel” means a hearing panel appointed by
the Commission pursuant to section 19 of this act.
Sec. 8. “Management of a common-interest community”
means the physical, administrative or financial maintenance and
management of a common-interest community, or the supervision
of those activities, for a fee, commission or other valuable
consideration.
Sec. 9. “Ombudsman” means the Ombudsman for Owners in
Common-Interest Communities.
Sec. 10. “Party to the complaint” means the Division and the
respondent.
Sec. 11. “Permit” means a permit to engage in property
management issued pursuant to the provisions of chapter 645 of
NRS.
Sec. 12. “Respondent” means a person against whom:
1. An affidavit has been filed pursuant to section 30 of this
act.
2. A complaint has been filed pursuant to section 31 of this
act.
Sec. 13. 1. The Commission for Common-Interest
Communities is hereby created.
2. The Commission consists of five members appointed by the
Governor. The Governor shall appoint to the Commission:
(a) One member who is a unit’s owner residing in this state
and who has served as a member of an executive board in this
state;
(b) One member who is in the business of developing common
-interest communities in this state;
(c) One member who holds a permit or certificate;
(d) One member who is a certified public accountant licensed
to practice in this state pursuant to the provisions of chapter 628
of NRS; and
(e) One member who is an attorney licensed to practice in this
state.
3. Each member of the Commission must be a resident of this
state. At least three members of the Commission must be residents
of a county whose population is 400,000 or more.
4. Each member of the Commission must have resided in a
common-interest community or have been actively engaged in a
business or profession related to common-interest communities for
not less than 3 years immediately preceding the date of his
appointment.
5. After the initial terms, each member of the Commission
serves a term of 3 years. Each member may serve not more than
two consecutive full terms. If a vacancy occurs during a
member’s term, the Governor shall appoint a person qualified
under this section to replace the member for the remainder of the
unexpired term.
6. While engaged in the business of the Commission, each
member is entitled to receive:
(a) A salary of not more than $80 per day, as established by the
Commission; and
(b) The per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for
state officers and employees generally.
Sec. 14. 1. The Division shall provide or arrange to have
provided to each member of the Commission courses of
instruction concerning rules of procedure and substantive law
appropriate for members of the Commission.
2. Each member of the Commission must attend the courses
of instruction not later than 6 months after the date that the
member is first appointed to the Commission.
Sec. 15. 1. At the first meeting of each fiscal year, the
Commission shall elect from its members a Chairman, a Vice
Chairman and a Secretary.
2. The Commission shall meet at least once each calendar
quarter and at other times on the call of the Chairman or a
majority of its members.
3. A majority of the members of the Commission constitutes a
quorum for the transaction of all business.
Sec. 16. 1. The provisions of this chapter shall be
administered by the Division, subject to the administrative
supervision of the Commission.
2. The Commission and the Division may do all things
necessary and convenient to carry out the provisions of this
chapter, including, without limitation, prescribing such forms and
adopting such procedures as are necessary to carry out the
provisions of this chapter.
3. The Commission or the Administrator, with the approval of
the Commission, may adopt such regulations as are necessary to
carry out the provisions of this chapter.
4. The Commission may by regulation delegate any authority
conferred upon it by the provisions of this chapter to the
Administrator to be exercised pursuant to the regulations adopted
by the Commission.
5. When regulations are proposed by the Administrator, in
addition to other notices required by law, the Administrator shall
provide copies of the proposed regulations to the Commission not
later than 30 days before the next meeting of the Commission.
The Commission shall approve, amend or disapprove any
proposed regulations at that meeting.
6. All regulations adopted by the Commission, or adopted by
the Administrator with the approval of the Commission, must be
published by the Division and offered for sale at a reasonable fee.
7. The Division may publish or supply a reference manual or
study guide for community managers and may offer it for sale at
a reasonable fee.
Sec. 17. Any notice or other information that is required to
be served upon the Commission pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter may be delivered to the principal office of the Division.
Sec. 18. 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section and
within the limits of legislative appropriations, the Division may
employ experts, attorneys, investigators, consultants and other
personnel as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this
chapter.
2. The Attorney General shall act as the attorney for the
Division in all actions and proceedings brought against or by the
Division pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
3. The Attorney General shall render to the Commission and
the Division opinions upon all questions of law relating to the
construction or interpretation of this chapter, or arising in
the administration thereof, that may be submitted to him by the
Commission or the Division.
Sec. 19. 1. The Commission may appoint one or more
hearing panels. Each hearing panel must consist of one or more
independent hearing officers.
2. The Commission may by regulation delegate to one or
more hearing panels the power of the Commission to conduct
hearings and other proceedings, determine violations, impose
fines and penalties and take other disciplinary action authorized
by the provisions of this chapter.
3. While acting under the authority of the Commission, a
hearing panel and its members are entitled to all privileges and
immunities and are subject to all duties and requirements of the
Commission and its members.
4. A final order of a hearing panel:
(a) May be appealed to the Commission if, not later than 20
days after the date that the final order is issued by the hearing
panel, any party aggrieved by the final order files a written notice
of appeal with the Commission.
(b) Must be reviewed and approved by the Commission if, not
later than 40 days after the date that the final order is issued by
the hearing panel, the Division, upon the direction of the
Chairman of the Commission, provides written notice to all
parties of the intention of the Commission to review the final
order.
Sec. 20. The Commission or a hearing panel may conduct a
hearing by means of an audio or video teleconference to one or
more locations if the audio or video technology used at the
hearing provides the persons present at each location with the
ability to hear and communicate with the persons present at each
other location.
Sec. 21. The Commission and its members, each hearing
panel and its members, the Administrator, the Ombudsman, the
Division, and the experts, attorneys, investigators, consultants and
other personnel of the Commission and the Division are immune
from any civil liability for any decision or action taken in good
faith and without malicious intent in carrying out the provisions
of this chapter.
Sec. 22. 1. The Commission shall conduct such hearings
and other proceedings as are required by the provisions of this
chapter.
2. The Commission shall collect and maintain or cause to be
collected and maintained accurate information relating to:
(a) The number and kind of common-interest communities in
this state;
(b) The effect of the provisions of this chapter and any
regulations adopted pursuant thereto on the development and
construction of common-interest communities, the residential
lending market for units within common-interest communities
and the operation and management of common-interest
communities;
(c) Violations of the provisions of this chapter and any
regulations adopted pursuant thereto;
(d) The accessibility and use of, and the costs related to, the
arbitration and mediation procedures set forth in NRS 38.300 to
38.360, inclusive, and the decisions rendered and awards made
pursuant to those arbitration and mediation procedures;
(e) The number of foreclosures which were completed on units
within common-interest communities and which were based on
liens for the failure of the unit’s owner to pay any assessments
levied against the unit or any fines imposed against the unit’s
owner;
(f) The study of the reserves required by NRS 116.31152; and
(g) Other issues that the Commission determines are of
concern to units’ owners, associations, community managers,
developers and other persons affected by common-interest
communities.
3. The Commission shall develop and promote:
(a) Educational guidelines for conducting the elections of the
members of an executive board, the meetings of an executive
board and the meetings of the units’ owners of an association;
and
(b) Educational guidelines for the enforcement of the
governing documents of an association through liens, penalties
and fines.
4. The Commission shall recommend and approve for
accreditation programs of education and research relating to
common-interest communities, including, without limitation:
(a) The management of common-interest communities;
(b) The sale and resale of units within common-interest
communities;
(c) Alternative methods that may be used to resolve disputes
relating to common-interest communities; and
(d) The enforcement, including by foreclosure, of liens on
units within common-interest communities for the failure of the
unit’s owner to pay any assessments levied against the unit or any
fines imposed against the unit’s owner.
Sec. 23. The Commission may:
1. By regulation, establish standards for subsidizing
proceedings for mediation and arbitration conducted pursuant to
NRS 38.300 to 38.360, inclusive, to ensure that such proceedings
are not lengthy and are affordable and readily accessible to all
parties;
2. By regulation, establish standards for subsidizing
educational programs for the benefit of units’ owners, members
of executive boards and officers of associations;
3. Accept any gifts, grants or donations; and
4. Enter into agreements with other entities that are required
or authorized to carry out similar duties in this state or in other
jurisdictions and cooperate with such entities to develop uniform
procedures for carrying out the provisions of this chapter and for
accumulating information needed to carry out those provisions.
Sec. 24. 1. The Commission shall by regulation provide for
the issuance by the Division of certificates to community
managers. The regulations:
(a) Must establish the qualifications for the issuance of such a
certificate, including, without limitation, the education and
experience required to obtain such a certificate.
(b) May require applicants to pass an examination in order to
obtain a certificate. If the regulations require such an
examination, the Commission shall by regulation establish fees to
pay the costs of the examination, including any costs which are
necessary for the administration of the examination.
(c) May require an investigation of an applicant’s background.
If the regulations require such an investigation, the Commission
shall by regulation establish fees to pay the costs of the
investigation.
(d) Must establish the grounds for initiating disciplinary action
against a person to whom a certificate has been issued, including,
without limitation, the grounds for placing conditions, limitations
or restrictions on a certificate and for the suspension or
revocation of a certificate.
(e) Must establish rules of practice and procedure for
conducting disciplinary hearings.
2. The Division may collect a fee for the issuance of a
certificate in an amount not to exceed the administrative costs of
issuing the certificate.
Sec. 25. 1. An applicant for a certificate shall submit to the
Division:
(a) The social security number of the applicant; and
(b) The statement prescribed by the Welfare Division of the
Department of Human Resources pursuant to NRS 425.520. The
statement must be completed and signed by the applicant.
2. The Division shall include the statement required pursuant
to subsection 1 in:
(a) The application or any other forms that must be submitted
for the issuance of the certificate; or
(b) A separate form prescribed by the Division.
3. A certificate may not be issued if the applicant:
(a) Fails to submit the statement required pursuant to
subsection 1; or
(b) Indicates on the statement submitted pursuant to
subsection 1 that he is subject to a court order for the support of a
child and is not in compliance with the order or a plan approved
by the district attorney or other public agency enforcing the order
for the repayment of the amount owed pursuant to the order.
4. If an applicant indicates on the statement submitted
pursuant to subsection 1 that he is subject to a court order for the
support of a child and is not in compliance with the order or a
plan approved by the district attorney or other public agency
enforcing the order for the repayment of the amount owed
pursuant to the order, the Division shall advise the applicant to
contact the district attorney or other public agency enforcing the
order to determine the actions that the applicant may take to
satisfy the arrearage.
Sec. 26. 1. If the Division receives a copy of a court order
issued pursuant to NRS 425.540 that provides for the suspension
of all professional, occupational and recreational licenses,
certificates and permits issued to the holder of a certificate, the
Division shall deem the certificate to be suspended at the end of
the 30th day after the date the court order was issued unless the
Division receives a letter issued to the holder of the certificate by
the district attorney or other public agency pursuant to NRS
425.550 stating that the holder of the certificate has complied with
a subpoena or warrant or has satisfied the arrearage pursuant to
NRS 425.560.
2. The Division shall reinstate a certificate that has been
suspended by a district court pursuant to NRS 425.540 if the
Division receives a letter issued by the district attorney or other
public agency pursuant to NRS 425.550 to the holder of the
certificate that he has complied with the subpoena or warrant or
has satisfied the arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560.
Sec. 27. As used in sections 27 to 37, inclusive, of this act,
unless the context otherwise requires, “violation” means a
violation of any provision of this chapter, any regulation adopted
pursuant thereto or any order of the Commission or a hearing
panel.
Sec. 28. 1. In carrying out the provisions of sections 27 to
37, inclusive, of this act, the Division and the Ombudsman have
jurisdiction to investigate and the Commission and each hearing
panel has jurisdiction to take appropriate action against any
person who commits a violation, including, without limitation:
(a) Any association and any officer, employee or agent of an
association.
(b) Any member of an executive board.
(c) Any community manager who holds a permit or certificate
and any other community manager.
(d) Any declarant or affiliate of a declarant.
(e) Any unit’s owner.
(f) Any tenant of a unit’s owner if the tenant has entered into
an agreement with the unit’s owner to abide by the governing
documents of the association and the provisions of this chapter
and any regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
2. The jurisdiction set forth in subsection 1 applies to any
officer, employee or agent of an association or any member of an
executive board who commits a violation and who:
(a) Currently holds his office, employment, agency or position
or who held his office, employment, agency or position at the
commencement of proceedings against him.
(b) Resigns his office, employment, agency or position:
(1) After the commencement of proceedings against him; or
(2) Within 1 year after the violation is discovered or
reasonably should have been discovered.
Sec. 29. 1. The rights, remedies and penalties provided by
sections 27 to 37, inclusive, of this act are cumulative and do not
abrogate and are in addition to any other rights, remedies and
penalties that may exist at law or in equity.
2. If the Commission, a hearing panel or another agency or
officer elects to take a particular action or pursue a particular
remedy or penalty authorized by sections 27 to 37, inclusive, of
this act or another specific statute, that election is not exclusive
and does not preclude the Commission, the hearing panel or
another agency or officer from taking any other actions or
pursuing any other remedies or penalties authorized by sections
27 to 37, inclusive, of this act or another specific statute.
3. In carrying out the provisions of sections 27 to 37,
inclusive, of this act, the Commission or a hearing panel shall not
intervene in any internal activities of an association except to the
extent necessary to prevent or remedy a violation.
Sec. 30. 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a
person who is aggrieved by an alleged violation may, not later
than 1 year after the person discovers or reasonably should have
discovered the alleged violation, file with the Division a written
affidavit that sets forth the facts constituting the alleged violation.
The affidavit may allege any actual damages suffered by the
aggrieved person as a result of the alleged violation.
2. An aggrieved person may not file such an affidavit unless
the aggrieved person has, on at least two separate occasions,
provided the respondent by certified mail, return receipt
requested, with written notices of the alleged violation set forth in
the affidavit. The notices must:
(a) Be mailed to the respondent’s last known address.
(b) Be mailed at least 15 days apart.
(c) Specify, in reasonable detail, the alleged violation, any
actual damages suffered by the aggrieved person as a result of the
alleged violation, and any corrective action proposed by the
aggrieved person.
3. A written affidavit filed with the Division pursuant to this
section must be:
(a) On a form prescribed by the Division.
(b) Be accompanied by evidence that:
(1) The respondent has been given a reasonable
opportunity after receiving the written notices to correct the
alleged violation; and
(2) Reasonable efforts to resolve the alleged violation have
failed.
4. The Commission or a hearing panel may impose an
administrative fine of not more than $1,000 against any person
who knowingly files a false or fraudulent affidavit with the
Division.
Sec. 31. 1. Upon receipt of an affidavit that complies with
the provisions of section 30 of this act, the Division shall refer the
affidavit to the Ombudsman.
2. The Ombudsman shall give such guidance to the parties as
the Ombudsman deems necessary to assist the parties to resolve
the alleged violation.
3. If the parties are unable to resolve the alleged violation
with the assistance of the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman shall
provide to the Division a report concerning the alleged violation
and any information collected by the Ombudsman during his
efforts to assist the parties to resolve the alleged violation.
4. Upon receipt of the report from the Ombudsman, the
Division shall conduct an investigation to determine whether
good cause exists to proceed with a hearing on the alleged
violation.
5. If, after investigating the alleged violation, the Division
determines that the allegations in the affidavit are not frivolous,
false or fraudulent and that good cause exists to proceed with a
hearing on the alleged violation, the Administrator shall file a
formal complaint with the Commission and schedule a hearing on
the complaint before the Commission or a hearing panel.
Sec. 32. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, if
the Administrator files a formal complaint with the Commission,
the Commission or a hearing panel shall hold a hearing on the
complaint not later than 90 days after the date that the complaint
is filed.
2. The Commission or the hearing panel may continue the
hearing upon its own motion or upon the written request of a
party to the complaint, for good cause shown, including, without
limitation, the existence of proceedings for mediation or
arbitration or a civil action involving the facts that constitute the
basis of the complaint.
3. The Division shall give the respondent written notice of the
date, time and place of the hearing on the complaint at least 30
days before the date of the hearing. The notice must be:
(a) Delivered personally to the respondent or mailed to the
respondent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to his last
known address.
(b) Accompanied by:
(1) A copy of the complaint; and
(2) Copies of all communications, reports, affidavits and
depositions in the possession of the Division that are relevant to
the complaint.
4. At any hearing on the complaint, the Division may not
present evidence that was obtained after the notice was given to
the respondent pursuant to this section, unless the Division proves
to the satisfaction of the Commission or the hearing panel that:
(a) The evidence was not available, after diligent investigation
by the Division, before such notice was given to the respondent;
and
(b) The evidence was given or communicated to the respondent
immediately after it was obtained by the Division.
5. The respondent must file an answer not later than 30 days
after the date that notice of the complaint is delivered or mailed
by the Division. The answer must:
(a) Contain an admission or a denial of the allegations
contained in the complaint and any defenses upon which the
respondent will rely; and
(b) Be delivered personally to the Division or mailed to the
Division by certified mail, return receipt requested.
6. If the respondent does not file an answer within the time
required by subsection 5, the Division may, after giving the
respondent written notice of the default, request the Commission
or the hearing panel to enter a finding of default against the
respondent. The notice of the default must be delivered personally
to the respondent or mailed to the respondent by certified mail,
return receipt requested, to his last known address.
Sec. 33. Any party to the complaint may be represented by an
attorney at any hearing on the complaint.
Sec. 34. 1. After conducting its hearings on the complaint,
the Commission or the hearing panel shall render a final decision
on the merits of the complaint not later than 20 days after the date
of the final hearing.
2. The Commission or the hearing panel shall notify all
parties to the complaint of its decision in writing by certified mail,
return receipt requested, not later than 60 days after the date of
the final hearing. The written decision must include findings of
fact and conclusions of law.
Sec. 35. 1. If the Commission or the hearing panel, after
notice and hearing, finds that the respondent has committed a
violation, the Commission or the hearing panel may take any or
all of the following actions:
(a) Issue an order directing the respondent to cease and desist
from continuing to engage in the unlawful conduct that resulted
in the violation.
(b) Issue an order directing the respondent to take affirmative
action to correct any conditions resulting from the violation.
(c) Impose an administrative fine of not more than $1,000 for
each violation.
2. If the respondent is a member of an executive board or an
officer of an association, the Commission or the hearing panel
may order the respondent removed from his office or position if
the Commission or the hearing panel, after notice and hearing,
finds that:
(a) The respondent has knowingly and willfully committed a
violation; and
(b) The removal is in the best interest of the association.
3. If the respondent violates any order issued by the
Commission or the hearing panel pursuant to this section, the
Commission or the hearing panel, after notice and hearing, may
impose an administrative fine of not more than $1,000 for each
violation.
4. If the Commission or the hearing panel takes any
disciplinary action pursuant to this section, the Commission or
the hearing panel may order the respondent to pay the costs of the
proceedings incurred by the Division, including, without
limitation, the cost of the investigation and reasonable attorney’s
fees.
5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, unless
the respondent has knowingly and willfully committed a violation,
if the respondent is a member of an executive board or an officer
of an association:
(a) The association is liable for all fines and costs imposed
against the respondent pursuant to this section; and
(b) The respondent may not be held personally liable for those
fines and costs.
Sec. 36. If the Commission or a hearing panel, after notice
and hearing, finds that the executive board of an association or
any person acting on behalf of the association has committed a
violation, the Commission or the hearing panel may take any or
all of the following actions:
1. Order an audit of the association.
2. Require the executive board to hire a community manager
who holds a permit or certificate.
Sec. 37. 1. If the Commission or the Division has
reasonable cause to believe, based on evidence satisfactory to it,
that any person has committed a violation or will continue to
commit violations, the Commission or the Division may bring an
action in the district court for the county in which the person
resides or, if the person does not reside in this state, in any court
of competent jurisdiction in this state, to enjoin that person from
continuing to commit the violations or from doing any act in
furtherance of the violations.
2. The action must be brought in the name of the State of
Nevada.
3. The court may issue the injunction without:
(a) Proof of actual damages sustained by any person.
(b) The filing of any bond.
Sec. 38. 1. Notwithstanding any provision of the governing
documents to the contrary, and except as otherwise provided in
this section, a unit’s owner is entitled to display the flag of the
United States, in a manner that is consistent with the Federal
Flag Code, from or on:
(a) A flagpole or staff which is located on exterior property
within the boundaries of his unit or which is attached to an
exterior limited common element that forms a part of the
boundaries of his unit.
(b) A window, ledge, sill, railing, patio, terrace or balcony of
his unit or an exterior limited common element that forms a part
of the boundaries of his unit, whether or not the flag is displayed
from a flagpole or staff.
2. An association may adopt rules that:
(a) Prohibit the display of the flag of the United States in a
manner that is inconsistent with the Federal Flag Code.
(b) Prohibit the display of the flag of the United States if the
flag exceeds 4 feet in its vertical dimension or 6 feet in its
horizontal dimension. For the purposes of this paragraph, the
horizontal dimension of the flag is the dimension that is parallel
with the horizontal stripes of the flag, regardless of the position in
which the flay is displayed.
(c) Establish a maximum number of flags of the United States
that may be displayed from, on or around the exterior of a unit.
The maximum number may be one.
(d) Prohibit the display of the flag of the United States from a
flagpole or staff that exceeds 25 feet in height.
(e) Prohibit the display of the flag of the United States in a
manner that poses a real and substantial danger to health or
safety.
3. As used in this section:
(a) “Federal Flag Code” means the rules and customs
pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States
which are codified in 4 U.S.C. §§ 5 to 10, inclusive, as altered,
modified or repealed by the President of the United States
pursuant to 4 U.S.C. § 10, and any additional rules pertaining to
the display and use of the flag of the United States which are
prescribed by the President pursuant to 4 U.S.C. § 10.
(b) “Flag of the United States” does not include a depiction or
emblem of the flag of the United States that is made of balloons,
flora, lights, paint, paving materials, roofing, siding or any other
similar building, decorative or landscaping component or
material.
Sec. 39. 1. If an executive board receives a written
complaint from a unit’s owner alleging that the executive board
has violated any provision of this chapter or any provision of the
governing documents of the association, the executive board shall,
if action is required by the executive board, place the subject of the
complaint on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled meeting
of the executive board.
2. Not later than 10 business days after the date that the
association receives such a complaint, the executive board or an
authorized representative of the association shall acknowledge the
receipt of the complaint and notify the unit’s owner that, if action
is required by the executive board, the subject of the complaint
will be placed on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled
meeting of the executive board.
Sec. 40. A member of an executive board, an officer of an
association or a community manager shall not solicit or accept
any form of compensation, gratuity or other remuneration that:
1. Would improperly influence or would appear to a
reasonable person to improperly influence the decisions made by
those persons; or
2. Would result or would appear to a reasonable person to
result in a conflict of interest for those persons.
Sec. 41. An executive board, a member of an executive board
or an officer, employee or agent of an association shall not take,
or direct or encourage another person to take, any retaliatory
action against a unit’s owner because the unit’s owner has:
1. Complained in good faith about any alleged violation of
any provision of this chapter or the governing documents of the
association; or
2. Requested in good faith to review the books, records or
other papers of the association.
Sec. 42. 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a
member of an executive board or an officer of an association
shall not:
(a) On or after October 1, 2003, enter into a contract or renew
a contract with the association to provide goods or services to the
association; or
(b) Otherwise accept any commission, personal profit or
compensation of any kind from the association for providing
goods or services to the association.
2. The provisions of this section do not prohibit a declarant,
an affiliate of a declarant or an officer, employee or agent of a
declarant or an affiliate of a declarant from:
(a) Receiving any commission, personal profit or
compensation from the association, the declarant or an affiliate
of the declarant for any goods or services furnished to the
association;
(b) Entering into contracts with the association, the declarant
or affiliate of the declarant; or
(c) Serving as a member of the executive board or as an officer
of the association.
Sec. 43. 1. If a common-interest community is developed in
separate phases and any declarant or successor declarant is
constructing any common elements that will be added to the
association’s common elements after the date on which the units’
owners other than the declarant may elect a majority of the
members of the executive board, the declarant or successor
declarant who is constructing such additional common elements
is responsible for:
(a) Paying all expenses related to the additional common
elements which are incurred before the conveyance of the
additional common elements to the association; and
(b) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 116.31038, delivering
to the association that declarant’s share of the amount specified
in the study of the reserves completed pursuant to subsection 2.
2. Before conveying the additional common elements to the
association, the declarant or successor declarant who constructed
the additional common elements shall deliver to the association a
study of the reserves for the additional common elements which
satisfies the requirements of NRS 116.31152.
3. As used in this section, “successor declarant” includes,
without limitation, any successor declarant who does not control
the association established by the initial declarant.
Sec. 44. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, in
a county whose population is 400,000 or more, a person who
owns, or directly or indirectly has an interest in, one or more
units within a planned community that are restricted to residential
use by the declaration, may use that unit or one of those units for
a transient commercial use only if:
(a) The governing documents of the association and any
master association do not prohibit such use;
(b) The executive board of the association and any master
association approve the transient commercial use of the unit,
except that such approval is not required if the planned
community and one or more hotels are subject to the governing
documents of a master association and those governing
documents do not prohibit such use; and
(c) The unit is properly zoned for the transient commercial use
and any license required by the local government for the transient
commercial use is obtained.
2. In a county whose population is 400,000 or more, a
declarant who owns, or directly or indirectly has an interest in,
one or more units within a planned community under the
governing documents of the association that are restricted to
residential use by the declaration, may use that unit or those units
for a transient commercial use during the period that the
declarant is offering units for sale within the planned community
if such use complies with the requirements set forth in
paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection 1.
3. The association and any master association may establish
requirements for the transient commercial use of a unit pursuant
to the provisions of this section, including, without limitation, the
payment of additional fees that are related to any increase in
services or other costs associated with the transient commercial
use of the unit.
4. As used in this section:
(a) “Remuneration” means any compensation, money, rent or
other valuable consideration given in return for the occupancy,
possession or use of a unit.
(b) “Transient commercial use” means the use of a unit, for
remuneration, as a hostel, hotel, inn, motel, resort, vacation
rental or other form of transient lodging if the term of the
occupancy, possession or use of the unit is for less than 30
consecutive calendar days.
Sec. 45. The executive board of a master association of any
common-interest community that was created before January 1,
1975, and is located in a county whose population is 400,000 or
more may record an amendment to the declaration pursuant to
which the master association reallocates the costs of
administering the common elements of the master association
among the units of the common-interest community uniformly
and based upon the actual costs associated with each unit.
Sec. 46. 1. If the declaration so provides, in a common
-interest community that consists of at least 1,000 units, the voting
rights of the units’ owners in the association for that common
-interest community may be exercised by delegates or
representatives.
2. In addition to a common-interest community identified in
subsection 1, if the declaration so provides, in a common-interest
community created before October 1, 1999, the voting rights of
the units’ owners in the association for that common-interest
community may be exercised by delegates or representatives.
3. For the purposes of subsection 1, each unit that a
declarant has reserved the right to create pursuant to NRS
116.2105 and for which developmental rights exist must be
counted in determining the number of units in a common-interest
community.
4. Notwithstanding any provision in the declaration, the
election of any delegate or representative must be conducted by
secret written ballot.
5. When an election of a delegate or representative is
conducted by secret written ballot:
(a) The secretary or other officer of the association specified in
the bylaws of the association shall cause a secret written ballot
and a return envelope to be sent, prepaid by United States mail, to
the mailing address of each unit within the common-interest
community or to any other mailing address designated in writing
by the unit’s owner.
(b) Each unit’s owner must be provided with at least 15 days
after the date the secret written ballot is mailed to the unit’s
owner to return the secret written ballot to the association.
(c) Only the secret written ballots that are returned to the
association in the manner prescribed on the ballot may be
counted to determine the outcome of the election.
(d) The secret written ballots must be opened and counted at a
meeting called for the purpose of electing delegates or
representatives. A quorum is not required to be present when the
secret written ballots are opened and counted at the meeting.
(e) A candidate for delegate or representative may not possess,
be given access to or participate in the opening or counting of the
secret written ballots that are returned to the association in the
manner prescribed on the ballot before those secret written ballots
have been opened and counted at a meeting called for that
purpose.
Sec. 47. 1. A unit’s owner shall adhere to a schedule
required by the association for:
(a) The completion of the design of a unit or the design of an
improvement to a unit;
(b) The commencement of the construction of a unit or the
construction of an improvement to a unit;
(c) The completion of the construction of a unit or the
construction of an improvement to the unit; or
(d) The issuance of a permit which is necessary for the
occupancy of a unit or for the use of an improvement to a unit.
2. The association may impose and enforce a construction
penalty against a unit’s owner who fails to adhere to a schedule
as required pursuant to subsection 1 if:
(a) The maximum amount of the construction penalty and the
schedule are set forth in:
(1) The declaration;
(2) Another document related to the common-interest
community that is recorded before the date on which the unit’s
owner acquired title to the unit; or
(3) A contract between the unit’s owner and the
association; and
(b) The unit’s owner receives notice of the alleged violation
which informs him that he has a right to a hearing on the alleged
violation.
3. For the purposes of this chapter, a construction penalty is
not a fine.
Sec. 47.5. In conducting any meetings, a rural agricultural
residential common-interest community must comply with the
provisions set forth in chapter 241 of NRS concerning open
meetings which are generally applicable to public bodies.
Sec. 48. If a matter governed by this chapter is also governed
by chapter 78 of NRS, NRS 81.010 to 81.160, inclusive, or chapter
82 of NRS and there is a conflict between the provisions of this
chapter and the provisions of chapter 78 of NRS, NRS 81.010 to
81.160, inclusive, or chapter 82 of NRS, the provisions of this
chapter prevail.
Sec. 49. NRS 116.1103 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.1103 [In] As used in this chapter and in the declaration
and bylaws [(NRS 116.3106), unless specifically provided
otherwise or] of an association, unless the context otherwise
requires, [and in this chapter,] the words and terms defined in NRS
116.110305 to 116.110393, inclusive, and sections 2 to 12,
inclusive, of this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those
sections.
Sec. 50. NRS 116.110305 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.110305 “Administrator” means the Real Estate
Administrator . [of the Real Estate Division of the Department of
Business and Industry.]
Sec. 51. NRS 116.11145 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.11145 1. To carry out the purposes of this chapter, the
[Real Estate] Commission, or any member thereof [,] acting on
behalf of the Commission or acting on behalf of a hearing panel,
may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the
production of books, records and other papers.
2. If any person fails to comply with a subpoena issued by the
Commission or any member thereof pursuant to this section within
[10] 20 days after [its issuance,] the date of service of the
subpoena, the Commission may petition the district court for an
order of the court compelling compliance with the subpoena.
3. Upon such a petition, the court shall enter an order directing
the person subpoenaed to appear before the court at a time and
place to be fixed by the court in its order, the time to be not more
than [10] 20 days after the date of service of the order, and show
cause why he has not complied with the subpoena. A certified copy
must be served upon the person subpoenaed.
4. If it appears to the court that the subpoena was regularly
issued by the Commission [,] or any member thereof pursuant to
this section, the court shall enter an order compelling compliance
with the subpoena, and upon failure to obey the order the person
shall be dealt with as for contempt of court.
Sec. 52. NRS 116.1116 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.1116 1. The Office of the Ombudsman for Owners in
Common-Interest Communities is hereby created within the [Real
Estate Division of the Department of Business and Industry.]
Division.
2. The Administrator shall appoint the Ombudsman . [for
Owners in Common-Interest Communities.] The Ombudsman [for
Owners in Common-Interest Communities] is in the unclassified
service of the State.
3. The Ombudsman [for Owners in Common-Interest
Communities] must be qualified by training and experience to
perform the duties and functions of his office.
4. [The Ombudsman for Owners in Common-Interest
Communities] In addition to any other duties set forth in this
chapter, the Ombudsman shall:
(a) Assist in processing claims submitted to mediation or
arbitration pursuant to NRS 38.300 to 38.360, inclusive;
(b) Assist owners in common-interest communities to
understand their rights and responsibilities as set forth in this
chapter and the governing documents of their associations,
including, without limitation, publishing materials related to those
rights and responsibilities;
(c) Assist [persons appointed or elected to serve on] members of
executive boards and officers of associations to carry out their
duties; [and]
(d) When appropriate, investigate disputes involving the
provisions of this chapter or the governing documents of an
association and assist in resolving such disputes; and
(e) Compile and maintain a registration of each association
organized within the State which includes, without limitation [:] ,
the following information:
(1) The name, address and telephone number of the
association;
(2) The name of [the person engaged in property
management] each community manager for the common-interest
community [or] and the name of [the] any other person who
[manages] is authorized to manage the property at the site of the
common-interest community;
(3) The names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers of
the members of the executive board of the association;
(4) The name of the declarant;
(5) The number of units in the common-interest community;
[and]
(6) The total annual assessment made by the association[.] ;
(7) The number of foreclosures which were completed on
units within the common-interest community and which were
based on liens for the failure of the unit’s owner to pay any
assessments levied against the unit or any fines imposed against
the unit’s owner; and
(8) Whether the study of the reserves of the association has
been conducted pursuant to NRS 116.31152 and, if so, the date on
which it was completed.
Sec. 53. NRS 116.1117 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.1117 1. There is hereby created the Account for [the
Ombudsman for Owners in] Common-Interest Communities in
the State General Fund. The Account must be administered by the
Administrator.
2. [The] Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, all
money received by the Commission, a hearing panel or the
Division pursuant to this chapter, including, without limitation,
the fees collected pursuant to NRS 116.31155 , must be [credited
to] deposited into the Account.
3. If the Commission imposes a fine or penalty, the
Commission shall deposit the money collected from the imposition
of the fine or penalty with the State Treasurer for credit to the
State General Fund. If the money is so deposited, the Commission
may present a claim to the State Board of Examiners for
recommendation to the Interim Finance Committee if money is
required to pay attorney’s fees or the costs of an investigation, or
both.
4. The interest and income earned on the money in the
Account, after deducting any applicable charges, must be credited
to the Account.
[4.] 5. The money in the Account must be used solely to defray
[the] :
(a) The costs and expenses of [administering] the Commission
and the Office of the Ombudsman [for Owners in Common
-Interest Communities and for the payment of fees for a mediator or
an arbitrator] ; and
(b) If authorized by the Commission or any regulations
adopted by the Commission, the costs and expenses of subsidizing
proceedings for mediation and arbitration conducted pursuant to
NRS [38.330.] 38.300 to 38.360, inclusive.
Sec. 54. NRS 116.1201 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.1201 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section and
NRS 116.1203, this chapter applies to all common-interest
communities created within this state.
2. This chapter does not apply to:
(a) Associations created for the limited purpose of maintaining:
(1) The landscape of the common elements of a common
-interest community;
(2) Facilities for flood control; or
(3) [A] Except as otherwise provided in section 47.5 of this
act, a rural agricultural residential common-interest community.
(b) A planned community in which all units are restricted
exclusively to nonresidential use unless the declaration provides
that [the] this chapter does apply to that planned community. This
chapter applies to a planned community containing both units that
are restricted exclusively to nonresidential use and other units that
are not so restricted[,] only if the declaration so provides or if the
real estate comprising the units that may be used for residential
purposes would be a planned community in the absence of the units
that may not be used for residential purposes.
(c) Common-interest communities or units located outside of
this state, but the provisions of NRS 116.4102 to 116.4108,
inclusive, apply to all contracts for the disposition thereof signed in
this state by any party unless exempt under subsection 2 of
NRS 116.4101.
(d) A common-interest community that was created before
January 1, 1992, is located in a county whose population is less
than 50,000, and has less than 50 percent of the units within the
community put to residential use, unless a majority of the units’
owners otherwise elect in writing.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, time shares
governed by the provisions of chapter 119A of NRS.
3. The provisions of this chapter do not:
(a) Prohibit a common-interest community created before
January 1, 1992, from providing for separate classes of voting for
the units’ owners of the association;
(b) Require a common-interest community created before
January 1, 1992, to comply with the provisions of NRS 116.2101 to
116.2122, inclusive;
(c) Invalidate any assessments that were imposed on or before
October 1, 1999, by a common-interest community created before
January 1, 1992; or
(d) Prohibit a common-interest community created before
January 1, 1992, or a common-interest community described in
section 46 of this act from providing for a representative form of
government.
4. The provisions of chapters 117 and 278A of NRS do not
apply to common-interest communities.
5. [For the purposes of this section, the Administrator] The
Commission shall establish, by regulation, the criteria for
determining whether an association [is created for the limited
purpose of maintaining the landscape of the common elements of a
common-interest community, maintaining facilities for flood
control or maintaining a rural agricultural residential] or a
common-interest community [.] satisfies the requirements for an
exemption from any provision of this chapter.
Sec. 55. NRS 116.1203 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.1203 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, if
a planned community contains no more than 12 units and is not
subject to any developmental rights, it is subject only to NRS
116.1105, 116.1106 and 116.1107 unless the declaration provides
that this entire chapter is applicable.
2. Except for NRS 116.3104, 116.31043, 116.31046 and
116.31138, the provisions of NRS 116.3101 to 116.3119, inclusive,
and section 47 of this act and the definitions set forth in NRS
116.110305 to 116.110393, inclusive, and sections 2 to 12,
inclusive, of this act, to the extent that such definitions are
necessary in construing any of those [sections,] provisions, apply to
a residential planned community containing more than six units.
Sec. 56. NRS 116.1206 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.1206 1. Any provision contained in a declaration, bylaw
or other governing document of a common-interest community
[created before January 1, 1992, that does not conform to] that
violates the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to conform
with those provisions by operation of law, and any such declaration,
bylaw or other governing document is not required to be amended
to conform to those provisions.
2. In the case of amendments to the declaration, bylaws or plats
and plans of any common-interest community created before
January 1, 1992:
(a) If the result accomplished by the amendment was permitted
by law before January 1, 1992, the amendment may be made either
in accordance with that law, in which case that law applies to that
amendment, or it may be made under this chapter; and
(b) If the result accomplished by the amendment is permitted by
this chapter, and was not permitted by law before January 1, 1992,
the amendment may be made under this chapter.
3. An amendment to the declaration, bylaws or plats and plans
authorized by this section to be made under this chapter must be
adopted in conformity with the applicable provisions of chapter 117
or 278A of NRS and with the procedures and requirements
specified by those instruments. If an amendment grants to any
person any rights, powers or privileges permitted by this chapter, all
correlative obligations, liabilities and restrictions in this chapter
also apply to that person.
Sec. 57. NRS 116.2103 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.2103 1. [All provisions of the declaration and bylaws are
severable.] The inclusion in a governing document of an
association of a provision that violates any provision of this
chapter does not render any other provisions of the governing
document invalid or otherwise unenforceable if the other
provisions can be given effect in accordance with their original
intent and the provisions of this chapter.
2. The rule against perpetuities and NRS 111.103 to 111.1039,
inclusive, do not apply to defeat any provision of the declaration,
bylaws, rules or regulations adopted pursuant to NRS 116.3102.
3. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the
declaration and the bylaws, the declaration prevails except to the
extent the declaration is inconsistent with this chapter.
4. Title to a unit and common elements is not rendered
unmarketable or otherwise affected by reason of an insubstantial
failure of the declaration to comply with this chapter. Whether a
substantial failure impairs marketability is not affected by this
chapter.
Sec. 58. NRS 116.2111 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.2111 [Subject]
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section and subject to
the provisions of the declaration and other provisions of law, a
unit’s owner:
[1.] (a) May make any improvements or alterations to his unit
that do not impair the structural integrity or mechanical systems or
lessen the support of any portion of the common-interest
community;
[2.] (b) May not change the appearance of the common
elements, or the exterior appearance of a unit or any other portion
of the common-interest community, without permission of the
association; and
[3.] (c) After acquiring an adjoining unit or an adjoining part of
an adjoining unit, may remove or alter any intervening partition or
create apertures therein, even if the partition in whole or in part is a
common element, if those acts do not impair the structural integrity
or mechanical systems or lessen the support of any portion of the
common-interest community. Removal of partitions or creation of
apertures under this [subsection] paragraph is not an alteration of
boundaries.
2. An association may not:
(a) Unreasonably restrict, prohibit or otherwise impede the
lawful rights of a unit’s owner to have reasonable access to his
unit.
(b) Unreasonably restrict, prohibit or withhold approval for a
unit’s owner to add to a unit:
(1) Improvements such as ramps, railings or elevators that
are necessary to improve access to the unit for any occupant of the
unit who has a disability;
(2) Additional locks to improve the security of the unit; or
(3) Shutters to improve the security of the unit or to aid in
reducing the costs of energy for the unit.
(c) With regard to approving or disapproving any improvement
or alteration made to a unit, act in violation of any state or federal
law.
3. Any improvement or alteration made pursuant to
subsection 2 that is visible from any other portion of the common
-interest community must be installed, constructed or added in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the governing
documents of the association and must be selected or designed to
the maximum extent practicable to be compatible with the style of
the common-interest community.
Sec. 59. NRS 116.212 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.212 1. If the declaration provides that any of the powers
described in NRS 116.3102 are to be exercised by or may be
delegated to a profit or nonprofit corporation that exercises those or
other powers on behalf of one or more common-interest
communities or for the benefit of the units’ owners of one or more
common-interest communities, or on behalf of a common-interest
community and a time-share plan created pursuant to chapter 119A
of NRS, all provisions of this chapter applicable to unit-owners’
associations apply to any such corporation, except as modified by
this section.
2. Unless it is acting in the capacity of an association described
in NRS 116.3101, a master association may exercise the powers set
forth in paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of NRS 116.3102 only to the
extent expressly permitted in:
(a) The declarations of common-interest communities which are
part of the master association or expressly described in the
delegations of power from those common-interest communities to
the master association; or
(b) The declaration of the common-interest community which is
a part of the master association and the time-share instrument
creating the time-share plan governed by the master association.
3. If the declaration of any common-interest community
provides that the executive board may delegate certain powers to a
master association, the members of the executive board have no
liability for the acts or omissions of the master association with
respect to those powers following delegation.
4. The rights and responsibilities of units’ owners with respect
to the unit-owners’ association set forth in NRS 116.3103 [to
116.31038, inclusive,] , 116.31032, 116.31034, 116.31036,
116.3108, 116.31085, 116.3109, 116.311 and 116.3112 and section
46 of this act apply in the conduct of the affairs of a master
association only to persons who elect the board of a master
association, whether or not those persons are otherwise units’
owners within the meaning of this chapter.
5. Even if a master association is also an association described
in NRS 116.3101, the certificate of incorporation or other
instrument creating the master association and the declaration of
each common-interest community, the powers of which are
assigned by the declaration or delegated to the master association,
may provide that the executive board of the master association must
be elected after the period of the declarant’s control in any of the
following ways:
(a) All units’ owners of all common-interest communities
subject to the master association may elect all members of the
master association’s executive board.
(b) All members of the executive boards of all common-interest
communities subject to the master association may elect all
members of the master association’s executive board.
(c) All units’ owners of each common-interest community
subject to the master association may elect specified members of
the master association’s executive board.
(d) All members of the executive board of each common-interest
community subject to the master association may elect specified
members of the master association’s executive board.
Sec. 60. NRS 116.3102 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.3102 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2,
and subject to the provisions of the declaration, the association
may:
(a) Adopt and amend bylaws, rules and regulations;
(b) Adopt and amend budgets for revenues, expenditures and
reserves and collect assessments for common expenses from units’
owners;
(c) Hire and discharge managing agents and other employees,
agents and independent contractors;
(d) Institute, defend or intervene in litigation or administrative
proceedings in its own name on behalf of itself or two or more
units’ owners on matters affecting the common-interest community;
(e) Make contracts and incur liabilities;
(f) Regulate the use, maintenance, repair, replacement and
modification of common elements;
(g) Cause additional improvements to be made as a part of the
common elements;
(h) Acquire, hold, encumber and convey in its own name any
right, title or interest to real estate or personal property, but:
(1) Common elements in a condominium or planned
community may be conveyed or subjected to a security interest only
pursuant to NRS 116.3112; and
(2) Part of a cooperative may be conveyed, or all or part of a
cooperative may be subjected to a security interest, only pursuant to
NRS 116.3112;
(i) Grant easements, leases, licenses and concessions through or
over the common elements;
(j) Impose and receive any payments, fees or charges for the use,
rental or operation of the common elements, other than limited
common elements described in subsections 2 and 4 of NRS
116.2102, and for services provided to units’ owners;
(k) Impose charges for late payment of assessments , impose
construction penalties when authorized pursuant to section 47 of
this act and, except as otherwise provided in NRS 116.31031, after
notice and an opportunity to be heard, levy reasonable fines for
violations of the [declaration, bylaws, rules and regulations]
governing documents of the association;
(l) Impose reasonable charges for the preparation and
recordation of amendments to the declaration, the information
required by NRS 116.4109 or statements of unpaid assessments;
(m) Provide for the indemnification of its officers and executive
board and maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance;
(n) Assign its right to future income, including the right to
receive assessments for common expenses, but only to the extent
the declaration expressly so provides;
(o) Exercise any other powers conferred by the declaration or
bylaws;
(p) Exercise all other powers that may be exercised in this state
by legal entities of the same type as the association;
(q) Direct the removal of vehicles improperly parked on
property owned or leased by the association, pursuant to NRS
487.038; and
(r) Exercise any other powers necessary and proper for the
governance and operation of the association.
2. The declaration may not impose limitations on the power of
the association to deal with the declarant which are more restrictive
than the limitations imposed on the power of the association to deal
with other persons.
Sec. 61. NRS 116.31031 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31031 1. If a unit’s owner [,] or a tenant or guest of a
unit’s owner [, does not comply with a] violates any provision of
the governing documents of an association, the executive board of
the association may, if the governing documents so provide:
(a) Prohibit, for a reasonable time, the unit’s owner [,] or the
tenant or guest of the unit’s owner [,] from:
(1) Voting on matters related to the common-interest
community.
(2) Using the common elements. The provisions of this
subparagraph do not prohibit the unit’s owner [,] or the tenant or
guest of the unit’s owner [,] from using any vehicular or pedestrian
ingress or egress to go to or from the unit, including any area used
for parking.
(b) [Require] Impose a fine against the unit’s owner [,] or the
tenant or guest of the unit’s owner [, to pay a fine] for each [failure
to comply that does not threaten the health and welfare of the
common-interest community.] violation, except that a fine may not
be imposed for a violation that is the subject of a construction
penalty pursuant to section 47 of this act. The fine must be
commensurate with the severity of the violation, but must not
exceed $100 for each violation or a total amount of $500,
whichever is less. The limitations on the amount of the fine do not
apply to any interest, charges or costs that may be collected by the
association pursuant to this section if the fine becomes past due.
2. If a fine is imposed pursuant to subsection 1 and the
violation is not cured within 14 days , or [a] within any longer
period [as] that may be established by the executive board, the
violation shall be deemed a continuing violation. Thereafter, the
executive board may impose an additional fine for the violation for
each 7-day period or portion thereof that the violation is not cured.
Any additional fine may be imposed without notice and an
opportunity to be heard.
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the imposition
of a fine pursuant to this section must comply with the requirements
of subsection 6 of NRS 116.31065.
4. Any past due fine:
(a) Bears interest at the rate established by the association, not
to exceed the legal rate per annum.
(b) May include any costs of collecting the past due fine at a
rate established by the association. If the past due fine is for a
violation that does not threaten the health, safety or welfare of the
residents of the common-interest community, the rate established
by the association for the costs of collecting the past due fine:
(1) May not exceed $20, if the outstanding balance is less
than $200.
(2) May not exceed $50, if the outstanding balance is $200
or more, but is less than $500.
(3) May not exceed $100, if the outstanding balance is $500
or more, but is less than $1,000.
(4) May not exceed $250, if the outstanding balance is
$1,000 or more, but is less than $5,000.
(5) May not exceed $500, if the outstanding balance is
$5,000 or more.
(c) May include any costs incurred by the association during a
civil action to enforce the payment of the past due fine.
5. As used in this section:
(a) “Costs of collecting” includes, without limitation, any
collection fee, filing fee, recording fee, referral fee, fee for
postage or delivery, and any other fee or cost that an association
may reasonably charge to the unit’s owner for the collection of a
past due fine. The term does not include any costs incurred by an
association during a civil action to enforce the payment of a past
due fine.
(b) “Outstanding balance” means the amount of a past due
fine that remains unpaid before any interest, charges for late
payment or costs of collecting the past due fine are added.
Sec. 62. NRS 116.31034 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31034 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5 of
NRS 116.212, not later than the termination of any period of
declarant’s control, the units’ owners shall elect an executive board
of at least three members, at least a majority of whom must be
units’ owners. The executive board shall elect the officers [.] of the
association. The members [and officers] of the executive board and
the officers of the association shall take office upon election.
2. The term of office of a member of the executive board may
not exceed 2 years [. A] , except for members who are appointed
by the declarant. Unless the governing documents provide
otherwise, there is no limitation on the number of terms that a
person may serve as a member of the executive board . [may be
elected to succeed himself.]
3. The governing documents of the association must [set forth
the month during which elections for the members of the executive
board must be held after the termination of any period of the
declarant’s control.
3.] provide for terms of office that are staggered in such a
manner that, to the extent possible, an equal number of members
of the executive board are elected at each election. The provisions
of this subsection do not apply to:
(a) Members of the executive board who are appointed by the
declarant; and
(b) Members of the executive board who serve a term of 1 year
or less.
4. Not less than 30 days before the preparation of a ballot for
the election of members of the executive board, the secretary or
other officer specified in the bylaws of the association shall cause
notice to be given to each unit’s owner of his eligibility to serve as a
member of the executive board. Each unit’s owner who is qualified
to serve as a member of the executive board may have his name
placed on the ballot along with the names of the nominees selected
by the members of the executive board or a nominating committee
established by the association.
[4.] 5. Each person whose name is placed on the ballot as a
candidate for a member of the executive board must make a good
faith effort to disclose any financial, business, professional or
personal relationship or interest that would result or would
appear to a reasonable person to result in a potential conflict of
interest for the candidate if the candidate were to be elected to
serve as a member of the executive board. The candidate must
make the disclosure, in writing, to each member of the association
in the manner established in the bylaws of the association.
6. Unless a person is appointed by the declarant:
(a) A person may not be a member of the executive board of an
association or an officer of that association if the person, his
spouse or his parent or child, by blood, marriage or adoption,
performs the duties of a community manager for that association.
(b) A person may not be a member of the executive board of a
master association or an officer of that master association if the
person, his spouse or his parent or child, by blood, marriage or
adoption, performs the duties of a community manager for:
(1) That master association; or
(2) Any association that is subject to the governing
documents of that master association.
7. An officer, employee, agent or director of a corporate owner
of a unit, a trustee or designated beneficiary of a trust that owns a
unit, a partner of a partnership that owns a unit, a member or
manager of a limited-liability company that owns a unit, and a
fiduciary of an estate that owns a unit may be an officer of the
association or a member of the executive board. In all events where
the person serving or offering to serve as an officer of the
association or a member of the executive board is not the record
owner, he shall file proof in the records of the association that:
(a) He is associated with the corporate owner, trust, partnership ,
limited-liability company or estate as required by this subsection;
and
(b) Identifies the unit or units owned by the corporate owner,
trust, partnership , limited-liability company or estate.
[5.] 8. The election of any member of the executive board must
be conducted by secret written ballot [. The] unless the declaration
of the association provides that voting rights may be exercised by
delegates or representatives as set forth in section 46 of this act. If
the election of any member of the executive board is conducted by
secret written ballot:
(a) The secretary or other officer specified in the bylaws of the
association shall cause a secret ballot and a return envelope to be
sent , prepaid by United States mail , to the mailing address of each
unit within the common-interest community or to any other mailing
address designated in writing by the unit’s owner . [, a secret ballot
and a return envelope.
6.] (b) Each unit’s owner must be provided with at least 15
days after the date the secret written ballot is mailed to the unit’s
owner to return the secret written ballot to the association.
(c) A quorum is not required for the election of any member of
the executive board.
(d) Only the secret written ballots that are returned to the
association may be counted to determine the outcome of the
election.
(e) The secret written ballots must be opened and counted at a
meeting of the association. A quorum is not required to be present
when the secret written ballots are opened and counted at the
meeting.
(f) The incumbent members of the executive board and each
person whose name is placed on the ballot as a candidate for a
member of the executive board may not possess, be given access
to or participate in the opening or counting of the secret written
ballots that are returned to the association before those secret
written ballots have been opened and counted at a meeting of the
association.
10. Each member of the executive board shall, within [30] 90
days after his appointment or election, certify in writing to the
association, on a form prescribed by the Administrator, that he has
read and understands the governing documents of the association
and the provisions of this chapter to the best of his ability. The
Administrator may require the association to submit a copy of the
certification of each member of the executive board of that
association at the time the association registers with the
Ombudsman pursuant to NRS 116.31158.
Sec. 63. NRS 116.31036 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31036 1. Notwithstanding any provision of the
declaration or bylaws to the contrary, the units’ owners, by a two
-thirds vote of all persons [present and] entitled to vote at any
meeting of the units’ owners at which a quorum is present, may
remove any member of the executive board with or without cause,
other than a member appointed by the declarant.
2. The removal of any member of the executive board must be
conducted by secret written ballot unless the declaration of the
association provides that voting rights may be exercised by
delegates or representatives as set forth in section 46 of this act. If
the removal of a member of the executive board is conducted by
secret written ballot:
(a) The secretary or other officer specified in the bylaws of the
association shall cause a secret ballot and a return envelope to be
sent, prepaid by United States mail, to the mailing address of each
unit within the common-interest community or to any other
mailing address designated in writing by the unit’s owner.
(b) Each unit’s owner must be provided with at least 15 days
after the date the secret written ballot is mailed to the unit’s
owner to return the secret written ballot to the association.
(c) Only the secret written ballots that are returned to the
association may be counted to determine the outcome.
(d) The secret written ballots must be opened and counted at a
meeting of the association. A quorum is not required to be present
when the secret written ballots are opened and counted at the
meeting.
(e) The incumbent members of the executive board, including,
without limitation, the member who is subject to the removal, may
not possess, be given access to or participate in the opening or
counting of the secret written ballots that are returned to the
association before those secret written ballots have been opened
and counted at a meeting of the association.
3. If a member of an executive board is named as a respondent
or sued for liability for actions undertaken in his role as a member
of the board, the association shall indemnify him for his losses or
claims, and undertake all costs of defense, unless it is proven that
he acted with willful or wanton misfeasance or with gross
negligence. After such proof , the association is no longer liable for
the cost of defense, and may recover costs already expended from
the member of the executive board who so acted. Members of the
executive board are not personally liable to the victims of crimes
occurring on the property. Punitive damages may not be recovered
against the association, but may be recovered from persons whose
activity gave rise to the damages.
4. The provisions of this section do not prohibit the
Commission from taking any disciplinary action against a
member of an executive board pursuant to sections 27 to 37,
inclusive, of this act.
Sec. 64. NRS 116.3106 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.3106 1. The bylaws of the association must provide:
(a) The number of members of the executive board and the titles
of the officers of the association;
(b) For election by the executive board of a president, treasurer,
secretary and any other officers of the association the bylaws
specify;
(c) The qualifications, powers and duties, terms of office and
manner of electing and removing officers of the association and
members of the executive board and filling vacancies;
(d) Which [,] powers, if any, [of its powers] that the executive
board or the officers of the association may delegate to other
persons or to a [managing agent;] community manager;
(e) Which of its officers may prepare, execute, certify and
record amendments to the declaration on behalf of the association;
(f) Procedural rules for conducting meetings of the association;
[and]
(g) A method for amending the bylaws[.] ; and
(h) Procedural rules for conducting elections.
2. Except as otherwise provided in the declaration, the bylaws
may provide for any other matters the association deems necessary
and appropriate.
3. The bylaws must be written in plain English.
Sec. 65. NRS 116.3108 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.3108 1. A meeting of the units’ owners of an association
must be held at least once each year. If the governing documents of
a common‑interest community do not designate an annual meeting
date of the units’ owners, a meeting of the units’ owners must be
held 1 year after the date of the last meeting of the units’ owners. If
the units’ owners have not held a meeting for 1 year, a meeting of
the units’ owners must be held on the following March 1. Special
meetings of the units’ owners of an association may be called by
the president, a majority of the executive board or by units’ owners
having 10 percent, or any lower percentage specified in the bylaws,
of the votes in the association.
2. Not less than 10 nor more than 60 days in advance of any
meeting of the units’ owners of an association, the secretary or
other officer specified in the bylaws shall cause notice of the
meeting to be hand‑delivered, sent prepaid by United States mail to
the mailing address of each unit or to any other mailing address
designated in writing by the unit’s owner or, if the association
offers to send notice by electronic mail, sent by electronic mail at
the request of the unit’s owner to an electronic mail address
designated in writing by the unit’s owner. The notice of the meeting
must state the time and place of the meeting and include a copy of
the agenda for the meeting. The notice must include notification of
the right of a unit’s owner to:
(a) Have a copy of the minutes or a summary of the minutes of
the meeting [distributed to him] provided to the unit’s owner upon
request and, if required by the executive board, upon payment to
the
association of the cost of [making the distribution.] providing the
copy to the unit’s owner.
(b) Speak to the association or executive board, unless the
executive board is meeting in executive session.
3. The agenda for a meeting of the units’ owners must consist
of:
(a) A clear and complete statement of the topics scheduled to be
considered during the meeting, including, without limitation, any
proposed amendment to the declaration or bylaws, any fees or
assessments to be imposed or increased by the association, any
budgetary changes and any proposal to remove an officer of the
association or member of the executive board.
(b) A list describing the items on which action may be taken and
clearly denoting that action may be taken on those items. In an
emergency, the units’ owners may take action on an item which is
not listed on the agenda as an item on which action may be taken.
(c) A period devoted to comments by units’ owners and
discussion of those comments. Except in emergencies, no action
may be taken upon a matter raised under this item of the agenda
until the matter itself has been specifically included on an agenda as
an item upon which action may be taken pursuant to paragraph (b).
4. If the association adopts a policy imposing [a fine on a unit’s
owner for the violation of the declaration, bylaws or other rules
established by] fines for any violations of the governing
documents of the association, the secretary or other officer
specified in the bylaws shall prepare and cause to be hand‑delivered
or sent prepaid by United States mail to the mailing address of each
unit or to any other mailing address designated in writing by the
unit’s owner, a schedule of the fines that may be imposed for those
violations.
5. The secretary or other officer specified in the bylaws shall
cause minutes to be recorded or otherwise taken at each meeting
of the units’ owners. Not more than 30 days after [any meeting of
the units’ owners,] each such meeting, the secretary or other officer
specified in the bylaws shall cause the minutes or a summary of the
minutes of the meeting to be made available to the units’ owners. A
copy of the minutes or a summary of the minutes must be provided
to any unit’s owner [who pays] upon request and, if required by
the executive board, upon payment to the association of the cost of
providing the copy to [him.] the unit’s owner.
6. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7, the minutes
of each meeting of the units’ owners must include:
(a) The date, time and place of the meeting;
(b) The substance of all matters proposed, discussed or decided
at the meeting; and
(c) The substance of remarks made by any unit’s owner at the
meeting if he requests that the minutes reflect his remarks or, if
he
has prepared written remarks, a copy of his prepared remarks if he
submits a copy for inclusion.
7. The executive board may establish reasonable limitations
on materials, remarks or other information to be included in the
minutes of a meeting of the units’ owners.
8. The association shall maintain the minutes of each
meeting of the units’ owners until the common-interest
community is terminated.
9. A unit’s owner may record on audiotape or any other
means of sound reproduction a meeting of the units’ owners if the
unit’s owner, before recording the meeting, provides notice of his
intent to record the meeting to the other units’ owners who are in
attendance at the meeting.
10. As used in this section, “emergency” means any occurrence
or combination of occurrences that:
(a) Could not have been reasonably foreseen;
(b) Affects the health, welfare and safety of the units’ owners of
the association;
(c) Requires the immediate attention of, and possible action by,
the executive board; and
(d) Makes it impracticable to comply with the provisions of
subsection 2 or 3.
Sec. 66. NRS 116.31083 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31083 1. A meeting of the executive board of an
association must be held at least once every 90 days.
2. Except in an emergency or unless the bylaws of an
association require a longer period of notice, the secretary or other
officer specified in the bylaws of the association shall, not less than
10 days before the date of a meeting of the executive board, cause
notice of the meeting to be given to the units’ owners. Such notice
must be:
(a) Sent prepaid by United States mail to the mailing address of
each unit within the common-interest community or to any other
mailing address designated in writing by the unit’s owner;
(b) If the association offers to send notice by electronic mail,
sent by electronic mail at the request of the unit’s owner to an
electronic mail address designated in writing by the unit’s owner; or
(c) Published in a newsletter or other similar publication that is
circulated to each unit’s owner.
3. In an emergency, the secretary or other officer specified in
the bylaws of the association shall, if practicable, cause notice of
the meeting to be sent prepaid by United States mail to the mailing
address of each unit within the common-interest community. If
delivery of the notice in this manner is impracticable, the notice
must be hand-delivered to each unit within the common-interest
community or posted in a prominent place or places within the
common elements of the association.
4. The notice of a meeting of the executive board of an
association must state the time and place of the meeting and include
a copy of the agenda for the meeting or the date on which and the
locations where copies of the agenda may be conveniently obtained
by the units’ owners of the association. The notice must include
notification of the right of a unit’s owner to:
(a) Have a copy of the minutes or a summary of the minutes of
the meeting [distributed to him] provided to the unit’s owner upon
request and, if required by the executive board, upon payment to
the association of the cost of [making the distribution.] providing
the copy to the unit’s owner.
(b) Speak to the association or executive board, unless the
executive board is meeting in executive session.
5. The agenda of the meeting of the executive board of an
association must comply with the provisions of subsection 3 of
NRS 116.3108. The period required to be devoted to comments by
units’ owners and discussion of those comments must be scheduled
for the beginning of each meeting. In an emergency, the executive
board may take action on an item which is not listed on the agenda
as an item on which action may be taken.
6. At least once every 90 days, unless the declaration or bylaws
of the association impose more stringent standards, the executive
board shall review at one of its meetings:
(a) A current reconciliation of the operating account of the
association;
(b) A current reconciliation of the reserve account of the
association;
(c) The actual revenues and expenses for the reserve account,
compared to the budget for that account for the current year;
(d) The latest account statements prepared by the financial
institutions in which the accounts of the association are maintained;
(e) An income and expense statement, prepared on at least a
quarterly basis, for the operating and reserve accounts of the
association; and
(f) The current status of any civil action or claim submitted to
arbitration or mediation in which the association is a party.
7. The secretary or other officer specified in the bylaws shall
cause minutes [of a] to be recorded or otherwise taken at each
meeting of the executive board . [of an association must be] Not
more than 30 days after each such meeting, the secretary or other
officer specified in the bylaws shall cause the minutes or a
summary of the minutes of the meeting to be made available to the
units’ owners . [in accordance with the provisions of subsection 5
of NRS 116.3108.] A copy of the minutes or a summary of the
minutes must be provided to any unit’s owner upon request and, if
required by the executive board, upon payment to the association
of the cost of providing the copy to the unit’s owner.
8. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 9 and NRS
116.31085, the minutes of each meeting of the executive board
must include:
(a) The date, time and place of the meeting;
(b) Those members of the executive board who were present
and those members who were absent at the meeting;
(c) The substance of all matters proposed, discussed or decided
at the meeting;
(d) A record of each member’s vote on any matter decided by
vote at the meeting; and
(e) The substance of remarks made by any unit’s owner who
addresses the executive board at the meeting if he requests that
the minutes reflect his remarks or, if he has prepared written
remarks, a copy of his prepared remarks if he submits a copy for
inclusion.
9. The executive board may establish reasonable limitations
on materials, remarks or other information to be included in the
minutes of its meetings.
10. The association shall maintain the minutes of each
meeting of the executive board until the common-interest
community is terminated.
11. A unit’s owner may record on audiotape or any other
means of sound reproduction a meeting of the executive board,
unless the executive board is meeting in executive session, if the
unit’s owner, before recording the meeting, provides notice of his
intent to record the meeting to the members of the executive board
and the other units’ owners who are in attendance at the meeting.
12. As used in this section, “emergency” means any occurrence
or combination of occurrences that:
(a) Could not have been reasonably foreseen;
(b) Affects the health, welfare and safety of the units’ owners of
the association;
(c) Requires the immediate attention of, and possible action by,
the executive board; and
(d) Makes it impracticable to comply with the provisions of
subsection 2 or 5.
Sec. 67. NRS 116.31085 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31085 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a
unit’s owner may attend any meeting of the units’ owners of the
association or of the executive board and speak at any such
meeting. The executive board may establish reasonable limitations
on the time a unit’s owner may speak at such a meeting.
2. An executive board may not meet in executive session to
enter into, renew, modify, terminate or take any other action
regarding a contract, unless it is a contract between the
association and an attorney.
3. An executive board may meet in executive session only to:
(a) Consult with the attorney for the association on matters
relating to proposed or pending litigation if the contents of the
discussion would otherwise be governed by the privilege set forth
in NRS 49.035 to 49.115, inclusive [;] , or to enter into, renew,
modify, terminate or take any other action regarding a contract
between the association and the attorney.
(b) Discuss [matters relating to personnel; or
(c) Discuss] the character, alleged misconduct, professional
competence, or physical or mental health of a community
manager or an employee of the association.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, discuss a
violation of the governing documents , [alleged to have been
committed by a unit’s owner,] including, without limitation, the
failure to pay an assessment . [, except as otherwise provided in
subsection 3.
3.] (d) Discuss the alleged failure of a unit’s owner to adhere
to a schedule required pursuant to section 47 of this act if the
alleged failure may subject the unit’s owner to a construction
penalty.
4. An executive board shall meet in executive session to hold a
hearing on an alleged violation of the governing documents unless
the [unit’s owner who allegedly committed] person who may be
sanctioned for the alleged violation requests in writing that the
hearing be conducted by the executive board at an open meeting.
The [unit’s owner who is alleged to have committed] person who
may be sanctioned for the alleged violation [may] is entitled to
attend the hearing and testify concerning the alleged violation, but
the person may be excluded by the executive board from any other
portion of the hearing, including, without limitation, the
deliberations of the executive board.
[4.] 5. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any
matter discussed by the executive board when it meets in executive
session must be generally noted in the minutes of the meeting of the
executive board. The executive board shall maintain minutes of any
decision made pursuant to subsection [3] 4 concerning an alleged
violation and, upon request, provide a copy of the decision to the
[unit’s owner who was the subject of the hearing] person who was
subject to being sanctioned at the hearing or to his designated
representative.
[5.] 6. Except as otherwise provided in subsection [3,] 4, a
unit’s owner is not entitled to attend or speak at a meeting of the
executive board held in executive session.
Sec. 68. NRS 116.3109 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.3109 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section and
[unless the bylaws] NRS 116.31034, and except when the
governing documents provide otherwise, a quorum is present
throughout any meeting of the association if [persons entitled to
cast 20 percent of the votes that may be cast for election of the
executive board] the number of members of the association who
are present in person or by proxy at the beginning of the meeting [.]
equals or exceeds 20 percent of the total number of voting
members of the association.
2. If the governing documents of an association contain a
quorum requirement for a meeting of the association that is
greater than the 20 percent required by subsection 1 and, after
proper notice has been given for a meeting, the members of the
association who are present in person or by proxy at the meeting
are unable to hold the meeting because a quorum is not present at
the beginning of the meeting, the members who are present in
person at the meeting may adjourn the meeting to a time that is
not less than 48 hours or more than 30 days from the date of the
meeting. At the subsequent meeting:
(a) A quorum shall be deemed to be present if the number of
members of the association who are present in person or by proxy
at the beginning of the subsequent meeting equals or exceeds 20
percent of the total number of voting members of the association;
and
(b) If such a quorum is deemed to be present but the actual
number of members who are present in person or by proxy at the
beginning of the subsequent meeting is less than the number of
members who are required for a quorum under the governing
documents, the members who are present in person or by proxy at
the subsequent meeting may take action only on those matters
that were included as items on the agenda of the original
meeting.
The provisions of this subsection do not change the actual number
of votes that are required under the governing documents for
taking action on any particular matter.
3. Unless the [bylaws] governing documents specify a larger
percentage, a quorum is deemed present throughout any meeting of
the executive board if persons entitled to cast 50 percent of the
votes on that board are present at the beginning of the meeting.
[3. For the purposes of determining whether a quorum is
present for the election of any member of the executive board, only
the secret written ballots that are returned to the association may be
counted.]
Sec. 69. NRS 116.311 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.311 1. If only one of several owners of a unit is present
at a meeting of the association, that owner is entitled to cast all the
votes allocated to that unit. If more than one of the owners are
present, the votes allocated to that unit may be cast only in
accordance with the agreement of a majority in interest of the
owners, unless the declaration expressly provides otherwise. There
is majority agreement if any one of the owners cast the votes
allocated to that unit without protest made promptly to the person
presiding over the meeting by any of the other owners of the unit.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, votes allocated
to a unit may be cast pursuant to a proxy executed by a unit’s
owner. A unit’s owner may give a proxy only to a member of his
immediate family, a tenant of the unit’s owner who resides in the
common-interest community , [or] another unit’s owner who
resides in the common-interest community[.] , or to a delegate or
representative when authorized pursuant to section 46 of this act.
If a unit is owned by more than one person, each owner of the unit
may vote or register protest to the casting of votes by the other
owners of the unit through an executed proxy. A unit’s owner may
revoke a proxy given pursuant to this section only by actual notice
of revocation to the person presiding over a meeting of the
association. [A proxy is void if:
(a) It is not dated or purports]
3. Before a vote may be cast pursuant to a proxy:
(a) The proxy must be dated.
(b) The proxy must not purport to be revocable without notice .
[;
(b) It does not]
(c) The proxy must designate the meeting for which it is
executed.
(d) The proxy must designate [the votes that must be cast on
behalf of] each specific item on the agenda of the meeting for
which the unit’s owner [who] has executed the proxy [; or
(c)] , except that the unit’s owner may execute the proxy
without designating any specific items on the agenda of the
meeting if the proxy is to be used solely for determining whether a
quorum is present for the meeting. If the proxy designates one or
more specific items on the agenda of the meeting for which the
unit’s owner has executed the proxy, the proxy must indicate, for
each specific item designated in the proxy, whether the holder of
the proxy must cast a vote in the affirmative or the negative on
behalf of the unit’s owner. If the proxy does not indicate whether
the holder of the proxy must cast a vote in the affirmative or the
negative for a particular item on the agenda of the meeting, the
proxy must be treated, with regard to that particular item, as if the
unit’s owner were present but not voting on that particular item.
(e) The holder of the proxy [does not] must disclose at the
beginning of the meeting for which the proxy is executed the
number of proxies pursuant to which [he] the holder will be casting
votes . [and the voting instructions received for each proxy.]
4. A proxy terminates immediately after the conclusion of the
meeting for which it [was] is executed.
5. A vote may not be cast pursuant to a proxy for the election
or removal of a member of the executive board of an association[.
3. Only a vote cast in person, by secret ballot or by proxy, may
be counted.
4.] unless the proxy is exercised through a delegate or
representative authorized pursuant to section 46 of this act.
6. The holder of a proxy may not cast a vote on behalf of the
unit’s owner who executed the proxy in a manner that is contrary
to the proxy.
7. A proxy is void if the proxy or the holder of the proxy
violates any provision of subsections 1 to 6, inclusive.
8. If the declaration requires that votes on specified matters
affecting the common-interest community must be cast by the
lessees of leased units rather than the units’ owners [of] who have
leased the units:
(a) The provisions of subsections 1 [and 2] to 7, inclusive, apply
to the lessees as if they were the units’ owners;
(b) [Units’] The units’ owners who have leased their units to
[other persons] the lessees may not cast votes on those specified
matters; [and]
(c) [Lessees] The lessees are entitled to notice of meetings,
access to records[,] and other rights respecting those matters as if
they were the units’ owners [.
Units’] ; and
(d) The units’ owners must [also] be given notice, in the manner
provided in NRS 116.3108, of all meetings at which the lessees are
entitled to vote.
[5. No]
9. If any votes are allocated to a unit that is owned by the
association , those votes may not be cast [.
6. Votes cast for the election of a member of the executive
board of an association must be counted in public.] , by proxy or
otherwise, for any purpose.
Sec. 70. NRS 116.31139 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31139 1. [An association may employ a person engaged
in property management for the common-interest community.
2.] Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person
[engaged in property management for a common-interest
community must:
(a) Hold] shall not act as a community manager unless the
person holds a permit [to engage in property management that is
issued pursuant to the provisions of chapter 645 of NRS; or
(b) Hold] or a certificate . [issued by the Real Estate
Commission pursuant to subsection 3.
3. The Real Estate]
2. The Commission shall [provide] by regulation provide for
the [issuance of certificates for the management of common-interest
communities to persons who are not otherwise authorized to engage
in property management pursuant to the provisions of chapter 645
of NRS. The regulations:
(a) Must establish the qualifications for the issuance of such a
certificate, including the education and experience required to
obtain such a certificate;
(b) May require applicants to pass an examination in order to
obtain a certificate;
(c) Must establish] standards of practice for [persons engaged in
property management for a common-interest community;
(d) Must establish the grounds for initiating disciplinary action
against a person to whom a certificate has been issued, including,
without limitation, the grounds for placing conditions, limitations
or restrictions on a certificate and for the suspension or revocation
of a certificate; and
(e) Must establish rules of practice and procedure for conducting
disciplinary hearings.
The Real Estate Division of the Department of Business and
Industry] community managers who hold permits or certificates.
3. The Division may investigate [the property managers to
whom certificates have been issued] any community manager who
holds a permit or certificate to ensure [their compliance] that the
community manager is complying with the standards of practice
adopted [pursuant to this subsection and collect a fee for the
issuance of a certificate] by the Commission . [in an amount not to
exceed the administrative costs of issuing the certificate.]
4. In addition to any other remedy or penalty, if the
Commission or a hearing panel, after notice and hearing, finds
that a community manager who holds a permit or certificate has
violated any provision of this chapter or any of the standards of
practice adopted by the Commission, the Commission or the
hearing panel may take appropriate disciplinary action against
the community manager.
5. The provisions of [subsection 2] this section do not apply to:
(a) [A person who is engaged in property management for a
common-interest community on October 1, 1999, and is granted an
exemption from the requirements of subsection 2 by the
Administrator upon demonstration that he is qualified and
competent to engage in property management for a common
-interest community.
(b)] A financial institution[.
(c)] that is engaging in an activity permitted by law.
(b) An attorney who is licensed to practice in this state[.
(d)] and who is acting in that capacity.
(c) A trustee[.
(e) An employee of a corporation who manages only] with
respect to the property of the [corporation.
(f)] trust.
(d) A declarant[.
(g)] , an affiliate of the declarant and any officers or
employees of the declarant or an affiliate of the declarant when
engaging in the management of a common-interest community
during the period in which the declarant controls that common
-interest community.
(e) A receiver[.
5. As used in this section, “property management” means the
physical, administrative or financial maintenance and management
of real property, or the supervision of those activities for a fee,
commission or other compensation or valuable consideration.] with
respect to property subject to the receivership.
(f) A member of an executive board or an officer of an
association who is acting solely within the scope of his duties as a
member of the executive board or an officer of the association.
Sec. 71. NRS 116.311391 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.311391 The expiration or revocation of a permit or
certificate [for the management of a common-interest community]
by operation of law or by order or decision of [the Real Estate
Commission or a] any agency or court of competent jurisdiction, or
the voluntary surrender of such a permit or certificate by the holder
of the permit or certificate does not:
1. Prohibit the [Real Estate Division of the Department of
Business and Industry or Real Estate] Commission or the Division
from initiating or continuing an investigation of, or action or
disciplinary proceeding against, the holder of the permit or
certificate as authorized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter
or the regulations adopted pursuant thereto; or
2. Prevent the imposition or collection of any fine or penalty
authorized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or the
regulations adopted pursuant thereto against the holder of the permit
or certificate.
Sec. 72. NRS 116.31151 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31151 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2
and unless the declaration of a common‑interest community
imposes more stringent standards, the executive board of an
association shall, not less than 30 days or more than 60 days before
the beginning of the fiscal year of the association, prepare and
distribute to each unit’s owner a copy of:
(a) The budget for the daily operation of the association. The
budget must include, without limitation, the estimated annual
revenue and expenditures of the association and any contributions
to be made to the reserve account of the association.
(b) The budget to maintain the reserve required by paragraph (b)
of subsection 2 of NRS 116.3115. The budget must include,
without limitation:
(1) The current estimated replacement cost, estimated
remaining life and estimated useful life of each major component of
the common elements;
(2) As of the end of the fiscal year for which the budget is
prepared, the current estimate of the amount of cash reserves that
are necessary, and the current amount of accumulated cash reserves
that are set aside, to repair, replace or restore the major components
of the common elements;
(3) A statement as to whether the executive board has
determined or anticipates that the levy of one or more special
assessments will be required to repair, replace or restore any major
component of the common elements or to provide adequate
reserves for that purpose; and
(4) A general statement describing the procedures used for
the estimation and accumulation of cash reserves pursuant to
subparagraph (2), including, without limitation, the qualifications of
the person responsible for the preparation of the study of the
reserves required by NRS 116.31152.
2. In lieu of distributing copies of the budgets of the
association required by subsection 1, the executive board may
distribute to each unit’s owner a summary of those budgets,
accompanied by a written notice that [the] :
(a) The budgets are available for review at the business office of
the association or some other suitable location within the county
where the common‑interest community is situated or, if it is
situated in more than one county, within one of those counties;
and [that copies]
(b) Copies of the budgets will be provided upon request.
Sec. 73. NRS 116.31152 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31152 1. The executive board of an association shall:
(a) Cause to be conducted , at least once every 5 years, a study
of the reserves required to repair, replace and restore the major
components of the common elements;
(b) Review the results of that study at least annually to
determine if those reserves are sufficient; and
(c) Make any adjustments it deems necessary to maintain the
required reserves.
2. The study of the reserves required by subsection 1 must be
conducted by a person who is qualified by training and experience
to conduct such a study, including , without limitation, a member
of the executive board, a unit’s owner or [the property manager of
the association] a community manager who is so qualified. The
study of the reserves must include, without limitation:
(a) A summary of an inspection of the major components of the
common elements that the association is obligated to repair, replace
or restore;
(b) An identification of the major components of the common
elements that the association is obligated to repair, replace or
restore which have a remaining useful life of less than 30 years;
(c) An estimate of the remaining useful life of each major
component identified pursuant to paragraph (b);
(d) An estimate of the cost of repair, replacement or restoration
of each major component identified pursuant to paragraph (b)
during and at the end of its useful life; and
(e) An estimate of the total annual assessment that may be
required to cover the cost of repairing, replacement or restoration of
the major components identified pursuant to paragraph (b), after
subtracting the reserves of the association as of the date of the
study.
3. The results of the study of the reserves required by
subsection 1 must be submitted to the Commission not later than
45 days after the date that the executive board of the association
adopts the results of the study.
4. The [Administrator] Commission shall adopt by regulation
the qualifications required for conducting [a] the study of the
reserves required by subsection 1.
5. If a common-interest community was developed as part of
a planned unit development pursuant to chapter 278A of NRS
and is subject to an agreement with a city or county to receive
credit against the amount of the residential construction tax that
is imposed pursuant to NRS 278.4983 and 278.4985, the
association that is organized for the common-interest community
may use the money from that credit for the repair, replacement or
restoration of park facilities and related improvements if:
(a) The park facilities and related improvements are identified
as major components of the common elements of the association;
and
(b) The association is obligated to repair, replace or restore the
park facilities and related improvements in accordance with the
study of the reserves required by subsection 1.
Sec. 74. NRS 116.31155 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31155 1. An association shall:
(a) If the association is required to pay the fee imposed by NRS
78.150 , 82.193 or [82.193,] 86.263, pay to the Administrator a fee
established by regulation of the Administrator for every unit in the
association used for residential use.
(b) If the association is organized as a trust or partnership, pay
to the Administrator a fee established by regulation of the
Administrator for each unit in the association.
2. The fees required to be paid pursuant to this section must be:
(a) Paid at such times as are established by the [Administrator.]
Division.
(b) Deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to the Account
for [the Ombudsman for Owners in] Common-Interest
Communities created [pursuant to] by NRS 116.1117.
(c) Established on the basis of the actual [cost] costs of
administering the Office of the Ombudsman [for Owners in
Common-Interest Communities] and the Commission and not on a
basis which includes any subsidy [for the Office.] beyond those
actual costs. In no event may the fees required to be paid pursuant
to this section exceed $3 per unit.
3. The Administrator may by regulation establish an
administrative penalty to be imposed against an association that
violates the provisions of this section by failing to pay the fees
owed by the association within the times established by the
Division. The administrative penalty that is imposed for each
violation may not exceed 10 percent of the amount of the fees
owed by the association or $500, whichever amount is less.
4. A unit’s owner may not be required to pay any portion of the
fees or any administrative penalties required to be paid pursuant to
this section to a master association and to an association organized
pursuant to NRS 116.3101.
[4.] 5. Upon the payment of the fees and any administrative
penalties required by this section, the Administrator shall provide
to the association evidence that it paid the fees and the
administrative penalties in compliance with this section.
Sec. 75. NRS 116.31158 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31158 1. Each association shall, at the time it pays the
fee required by NRS 116.31155, register with the Ombudsman [for
Owners in Common-Interest Communities] on a form prescribed by
the Ombudsman.
2. The form for registration must include, without limitation,
the information required to be maintained pursuant to paragraph
[(d)] (e) of subsection 4 of NRS 116.1116.
Sec. 76. NRS 116.3116 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.3116 1. The association has a lien on a unit for any
construction penalty that is imposed against the unit’s owner
pursuant to section 47 of this act, any assessment levied against
that unit or any fines imposed against the unit’s owner from the
time the construction penalty, assessment or fine becomes due.
Unless the declaration otherwise provides, any penalties, fees,
charges, late charges, fines and interest charged pursuant to
paragraphs (j), (k) and (l) of subsection 1 of NRS 116.3102 are
enforceable as assessments under this section. If an assessment is
payable in installments, the full amount of the assessment is a lien
from the time the first installment thereof becomes due.
2. A lien under this section is prior to all other liens and
encumbrances on a unit except:
(a) Liens and encumbrances recorded before the recordation of
the declaration and, in a cooperative, liens and encumbrances which
the association creates, assumes or takes subject to;
(b) A first security interest on the unit recorded before the date
on which the assessment sought to be enforced became delinquent
[,] or, in a cooperative, the first security interest encumbering only
the unit’s owner’s interest and perfected before the date on which
the assessment sought to be enforced became delinquent; and
(c) Liens for real estate taxes and other governmental
assessments or charges against the unit or cooperative.
The lien is also prior to all security interests described in paragraph
(b) to the extent of the assessments for common expenses based on
the periodic budget adopted by the association pursuant to NRS
116.3115 which would have become due in the absence of
acceleration during the 6 months immediately preceding institution
of an action to enforce the lien. This subsection does not affect the
priority of mechanics’ or materialmen’s liens, or the priority of
liens for other assessments made by the association.
3. Unless the declaration otherwise provides, if two or more
associations have liens for assessments created at any time on the
same property, those liens have equal priority.
4. Recording of the declaration constitutes record notice and
perfection of the lien. No further recordation of any claim of lien for
assessment under this section is required.
5. A lien for unpaid assessments is extinguished unless
proceedings to enforce the lien are instituted within 3 years after the
full amount of the assessments becomes due.
6. This section does not prohibit actions to recover sums for
which subsection 1 creates a lien or prohibit an association from
taking a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
7. A judgment or decree in any action brought under this
section must include costs and reasonable attorney’s fees for the
prevailing party.
8. The association , upon written request , shall furnish to a
unit’s owner a statement setting forth the amount of unpaid
assessments against the unit. If the interest of the unit’s owner is
real estate [,] or if a lien for the unpaid assessments may be
foreclosed under NRS 116.31162 to 116.31168, inclusive, the
statement must be in recordable form. The statement must be
furnished within 10 business days after receipt of the request and is
binding on the association, the executive board and every unit’s
owner.
9. In a cooperative, upon nonpayment of an assessment on a
unit, the unit’s owner may be evicted in the same manner as
provided by law in the case of an unlawful holdover by a
commercial tenant, and :
(a) In a cooperative where the owner’s interest in a unit is real
estate under NRS 116.1105, the association’s lien may be
foreclosed [as provided by this section or by] under NRS
116.31162 to 116.31168, inclusive.
[10.] (b) In a cooperative where the owner’s interest in a unit is
personal property [(] under NRS 116.1105 , [),] the association’s
lien [may] :
(1) May be foreclosed [in like manner] as a security interest
under NRS 104.9101 to 104.9709, inclusive [.] ; or
(2) If the declaration so provides, may be foreclosed under
NRS 116.31162 to 116.31168, inclusive.
Sec. 77. NRS 116.31162 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31162 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4,
in a condominium, in a planned community, in a cooperative
where the owner’s interest in a unit is real estate [as determined
pursuant to] under NRS 116.1105, or [a planned community,] in a
cooperative where the owner’s interest in a unit is personal
property under NRS 116.1105 and the declaration provides that a
lien may be foreclosed under NRS 116.31162 to 116.31168,
inclusive, the association may foreclose its lien by sale after:
(a) The association has mailed by certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, to the unit’s owner or his successor in
interest, at his address if known[,] and at the address of the unit, a
notice of delinquent assessment which states the amount of the
assessments and other sums which are due in accordance with
subsection 1 of NRS 116.3116, a description of the unit against
which the lien is imposed[,] and the name of the record owner of
the unit;
(b) [The] Not less than 30 days after mailing the notice of
delinquent assessment pursuant to paragraph (a), the association
or other person conducting the sale has executed and caused to be
recorded, with the county recorder of the county in which the
common-interest community or any part of it is situated, a notice of
default and election to sell the unit to satisfy the lien, which
contains the same information as the notice of delinquent
assessment, but must also describe the deficiency in payment and
the name and address of the person authorized by the association to
enforce the lien by sale; and
(c) The unit’s owner or his successor in interest has failed to pay
the amount of the lien, including costs, fees and expenses incident
to its enforcement, for [60] 90 days following the recording of the
notice of default and election to sell.
2. The notice of default and election to sell must be signed by
the person designated in the declaration or by the association for
that purpose[,] or , if no one is designated, by the president of the
association.
3. The period of [60] 90 days begins on the first day following
the later of:
(a) The day on which the notice of default is recorded; or
(b) The day on which a copy of the notice of default is mailed
by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the unit’s
owner or his successor in interest at his address , if known, and at
the address of the unit.
4. The association may not foreclose a lien by sale [for the
assessment of] based on a fine or penalty for a violation of the
[declaration, bylaws, rules or regulations] governing documents of
the association [, unless the violation is of a type that threatens]
unless:
(a) The violation threatens the health, safety or welfare of the
residents of the common-interest community [.] ; or
(b) The penalty is imposed for failure to adhere to a schedule
required pursuant to section 47 of this act.
Sec. 78. NRS 116.311635 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.311635 The association or other person conducting the
sale shall also, after the expiration of the [60] 90 days and before
selling the unit:
1. Give notice of the time and place of the sale in the manner
and for a time not less than that required by law for the sale of real
property upon execution, except that a copy of the notice of sale
must be mailed, on or before the date of first publication or posting,
by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the unit’s
owner or his successor in interest at his address , if known, and to
the address of the unit.
2. Mail, on or before the date of first publication or posting, a
copy of the notice by first-class mail to:
(a) Each person entitled to receive a copy of the notice of default
and election to sell notice under NRS 116.31163; [and]
(b) The holder of a recorded security interest or the purchaser of
the unit, if either of them has notified the association, before the
mailing of the notice of sale, of the existence of the security
interest, lease or contract of sale, as applicable [.] ; and
(c) The Ombudsman.
Sec. 79. NRS 116.31175 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31175 1. Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, the executive board of an association shall, upon the
written request of a unit’s owner, make available the books, records
and other papers of the association for review during the regular
working hours of the association[.] , including, without limitation,
all contracts to which the association is a party and all records
filed with a court relating to a civil or criminal action to which the
association is a party. The provisions of this subsection do not
apply to:
(a) The personnel records of the employees of the association [;
and] , except for those records relating to the number of hours
worked and the salaries and benefits of those employees;
(b) The records of the association relating to another unit’s
owner [.] , except for those records described in subsection 2; and
(c) A contract between the association and an attorney.
2. The executive board of an association shall maintain a
general record concerning each violation of the governing
documents, other than a violation involving a failure to pay an
assessment, for which the executive board has imposed a fine, a
construction penalty or any other sanction. The general record:
(a) Must contain a general description of the nature of the
violation and the type of the sanction imposed. If the sanction
imposed was a fine or construction penalty, the general record
must specify the amount of the fine or construction penalty.
(b) Must not contain the name or address of the person against
whom the sanction was imposed or any other personal
information which may be used to identify the person or the
location of the unit, if any, that is associated with the violation.
(c) Must be maintained in an organized and convenient filing
system or data system that allows a unit’s owner to search and
review the general records concerning violations of the governing
documents.
3. If the executive board refuses to allow a unit’s owner to
review the books, records or other papers of the association, the
Ombudsman [for Owners in Common-Interest Communities] may:
(a) On behalf of the unit’s owner and upon written request,
review the books, records or other papers of the association during
the regular working hours of the association; and
(b) If he is denied access to the books, records or other papers,
request the Commission , or any member thereof acting on behalf
of the Commission, to issue a subpoena for their production.
4. The books, records and other papers of an association
must be maintained for at least 10 years. The provisions of this
subsection do not apply to:
(a) The minutes of a meeting of the units’ owners which must
be maintained in accordance with NRS 116.3108; or
(b) The minutes of a meeting of the executive board which
must be maintained in accordance with NRS 116.31083.
5. The executive board shall not require a unit’s owner to pay
an amount in excess of $10 per hour to review any books, records,
contracts or other papers of the association pursuant to the
provisions of this section.
Sec. 80. NRS 116.31177 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.31177 1. The executive board of an association shall
maintain and make available for review at the business office of the
association or some other suitable location [:] within the county
where the common‑interest community is situated or, if it is
situated in more than one county, within one of those counties:
(a) The financial statement of the association;
(b) The budgets of the association required to be prepared
pursuant to NRS 116.31151; and
(c) The study of the reserves of the association required to be
conducted pursuant to NRS 116.31152.
2. The executive board shall provide a copy of any of the
records required to be maintained pursuant to subsection 1 to a
unit’s owner or the Ombudsman [for Owners in Common-Interest
Communities] within 14 days after receiving a written request
therefor. The executive board may charge a fee to cover the actual
costs of preparing a copy, but not to exceed 25 cents per page.
Sec. 81. NRS 116.3118 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.3118 1. The association shall keep financial records
sufficiently detailed to enable the association to comply with NRS
116.4109.
2. All financial and other records of the association must be :
(a) Maintained and made available for review at the business
office of the association or some other suitable location within the
county where the common‑interest community is situated or, if it
is situated in more than one county, within one of those counties;
and
(b) Made reasonably available for any unit’s owner and his
authorized agents to inspect, examine, photocopy and audit.
Sec. 82. NRS 116.4108 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.4108 1. A person required to deliver a public offering
statement pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 116.4102 shall provide a
purchaser with a copy of the current public offering statement not
later than the date [of any contract of sale.] on which an offer to
purchase becomes binding on the purchaser. Unless the purchaser
has personally inspected the unit, the purchaser may cancel, by
written notice, the contract of purchase until midnight of the fifth
calendar day following the date of execution of the contract, and the
contract for purchase must contain a provision to that effect.
2. If a purchaser elects to cancel a contract pursuant to
subsection 1, he may do so by hand delivering notice thereof to the
offeror or by mailing notice thereof by prepaid United States mail
to the offeror or to his agent for service of process. Cancellation is
without penalty, and all payments made by the purchaser before
cancellation must be refunded promptly.
3. If a person required to deliver a public offering statement
pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 116.4102 fails to provide a
purchaser to whom a unit is conveyed with a current public offering
statement, the purchaser is entitled to actual damages, rescission or
other relief, but if the purchaser has accepted a conveyance of the
unit, he is not entitled to rescission.
Sec. 83. NRS 116.4109 is hereby amended to read as follows:
116.4109 1. Except in the case of a sale in which delivery of
a public offering statement is required, or unless exempt under
subsection 2 of NRS 116.4101, a unit’s owner shall furnish to a
purchaser before [execution of any contract for sale of a unit, or
otherwise before conveyance:] an offer to purchase a unit
becomes binding on the purchaser:
(a) A copy of the declaration, other than any plats and plans, the
bylaws, the rules or regulations of the association and the
information statement required by NRS 116.41095;
(b) A statement setting forth the amount of the monthly
assessment for common expenses and any unpaid assessment of any
kind currently due from the selling unit’s owner;
(c) The current operating budget of the association and a
financial statement for the association [;] , which must include a
summary of the financial components of the study of the reserves
of the association required by NRS 116.31152; and
(d) A statement of any unsatisfied judgments or pending legal
actions against the association and the status of any pending legal
actions relating to the common-interest community of which the
unit’s owner has actual knowledge.
2. The association, within 10 days after a request by a unit’s
owner, shall furnish a certificate containing the information
necessary to enable the unit’s owner to comply with [this section.]
subsection 1. A unit’s owner providing a certificate pursuant to
subsection 1 is not liable to the purchaser for any erroneous
information provided by the association and included in the
certificate.
3. Neither a purchaser nor the purchaser’s interest in a unit is
liable for any unpaid assessment or fee greater than the amount set
forth in the certificate prepared by the association. If the association
fails to furnish the certificate within the 10 days allowed by
subsection 2, the seller is not liable for the delinquent assessment.
4. Upon the request of a unit’s owner, a purchaser to whom
the unit’s owner has provided a certificate pursuant to subsection
1 or an authorized agent of the unit’s owner or the purchaser, the
association shall make the entire study of the reserves of the
association which is required by NRS 116.31152 reasonably
available for the unit’s owner, purchaser or authorized agent to
inspect, examine, photocopy and audit. The study must be made
available at the business office of the association or some other
suitable location within the county where the common‑interest
community is situated or, if it is situated in more than one county,
within one of those counties.
Sec. 84. NRS 116.41095 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
116.41095 The information statement required by NRS
116.4103 and 116.4109 must be in substantially the following form:
BEFORE YOU PURCHASE PROPERTY IN A
COMMON-INTEREST COMMUNITY
DID YOU KNOW . . .
1. YOU ARE AGREEING TO RESTRICTIONS ON HOW
YOU CAN USE YOUR PROPERTY?
These restrictions are contained in a document known as the
Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (C, C & R’s)
that should be provided for your review before making your
purchase. The C, C & R’s become a part of the title to your
property. They bind you and every future owner of the property
whether or not you have read them or had them explained to you.
The C, C & R’s, together with other “governing documents” (such
as association bylaws and rules and regulations), are intended to
preserve the character and value of properties in the community,
but may also restrict what you can do to improve or change your
property and limit how you use and enjoy your property. By
purchasing a property encumbered by C, C & R’s, you are agreeing
to limitations that could affect your lifestyle and freedom of choice.
You should review the C, C & R’s and other governing documents
before purchasing to make sure that these limitations and controls
are acceptable to you.
2. YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY OWNERS’ ASSESSMENTS
FOR AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR PROPERTY?
As an owner in a common-interest community, you are responsible
for paying your share of expenses relating to the common elements,
such as landscaping, shared amenities and the operation of any
homeowner’s association. The obligation to pay these assessments
binds you and every future owner of the property. Owners’ fees are
usually assessed by the homeowner’s association and due monthly.
You have to pay dues whether or not you agree with the way the
association is managing the property or spending the assessments.
The executive board of the association may have the power to
change and increase the amount of the assessment and to levy
special assessments against your property to meet extraordinary
expenses. In some communities, major components of the
community such as roofs and private roads must be maintained and
replaced by the association. If the association is not well managed
or fails to maintain adequate reserves to repair, replace and restore
common elements, you may be required to pay large, special
assessments to accomplish these tasks.
3. IF YOU FAIL TO PAY OWNERS’ ASSESSMENTS, YOU
COULD LOSE YOUR HOME?
If you do not pay these assessments when due, the association
usually has the power to collect them by selling your property in a
nonjudicial foreclosure sale. If fees become delinquent, you may
also be required to pay penalties and the association’s costs and
attorney’s fees to become current. If you dispute the obligation or
its amount, your only remedy to avoid the loss of your home may
be to file a lawsuit and ask a court to intervene in the dispute.
4. YOU MAY BECOME A MEMBER OF A
HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION THAT HAS THE POWER TO
AFFECT HOW YOU USE AND ENJOY YOUR PROPERTY?
Many common-interest communities have a homeowner’s
association. In a new development, the association will usually be
controlled by the developer until a certain number of units have
been sold. After the period of developer control, the association
may be controlled by property owners like yourself who are elected
by homeowners to sit on an executive board and other boards and
committees formed by the association. The association, and its
executive board, are responsible for assessing homeowners for the
cost of operating the association and the common or shared
elements of the community and for the day to day operation and
management of the community. Because homeowners sitting on the
executive board and other boards and committees of the association
may not have the experience or professional background required to
understand and carry out the responsibilities of the association
properly, the association may hire professional managers to carry
out these responsibilities.
Homeowner’s associations operate on democratic principles. Some
decisions require all homeowners to vote, some decisions are made
by the executive board or other boards or committees established by
the association or governing documents. Although the actions of the
association and its executive board are governed by state laws, the
C, C & R’s and other documents that govern the common-interest
community, decisions made by these persons will affect your use
and enjoyment of your property, your lifestyle and freedom of
choice, and your cost of living in the community. You may not
agree with decisions made by the association or its governing
bodies even though the decisions are ones which the association is
authorized to make. Decisions may be made by a few persons on
the executive board or governing bodies that do not necessarily
reflect the view of the majority of homeowners in the community.
If you do not agree with decisions made by the association, its
executive board or other governing bodies, your remedy is typically
to attempt to use the democratic processes of the association to seek
the election of members of the executive board or other governing
bodies that are more responsive to your needs. If persons
controlling the association or its management are not complying
with state laws or the governing documents, your remedy is
typically to seek to mediate or arbitrate the dispute and, if
mediation or arbitration is unsuccessful, file a lawsuit and ask a
court to resolve the dispute. In addition to your personal cost in
mediation or arbitration, or to prosecute a lawsuit, you may be
responsible for paying your share of the association’s cost in
defending against your claim. There is no government agency in
this state that investigates or intervenes to resolve disputes in
homeowner’s associations.
5. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROSPECTIVE
BUYERS OF YOUR PROPERTY WITH INFORMATION
ABOUT LIVING IN YOUR COMMON-INTEREST
COMMUNITY?
The law requires you to provide to a prospective purchaser of your
property, before you enter into a purchase agreement, a copy of the
community’s governing documents, including the C, C & R’s,
association bylaws, and rules and regulations, as well as a copy of
this document. You are also required to provide a copy of the
association’s current financial statement, operating budget and
information regarding the amount of the monthly assessment for
common expenses, including the amount set aside as reserves for
the repair, replacement and restoration of common elements. You
are also required to inform prospective purchasers of any
outstanding judgments or lawsuits pending against the association
of which you are aware. You are also required to provide a copy of
the minutes from the most recent meeting of the homeowner’s
association or its executive board. For more information regarding
these requirements, see Nevada Revised Statutes 116.4103[.] and
116.4109.
6. YOU HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS REGARDING
OWNERSHIP IN A COMMON-INTEREST COMMUNITY
THAT ARE GUARANTEED YOU BY THE STATE?
Pursuant to provisions of chapter 116 of Nevada Revised Statutes,
you have the right:
(a) To be notified of all meetings of the association and its
executive board, except in cases of emergency.
(b) To attend and speak at all meetings of the association and its
executive board, except in some cases where the executive board is
authorized to meet in closed, executive session.
(c) To request a special meeting of the association upon petition
of at least 10 percent of the homeowners.
(d) To inspect, examine, photocopy and audit financial and other
records of the association.
(e) To be notified of all changes in the community’s rules and
regulations and other actions by the association or board that affect
you.
7. QUESTIONS?
Although they may be voluminous, you should take the time to read
and understand the documents that will control your ownership of a
property in a common-interest community. You may wish to ask
your real estate professional, lawyer or other person with
experience to explain anything you do not understand. You may
also request assistance from the Ombudsman for Owners in
Common-Interest Communities, Nevada Real Estate Division, at
(telephone number).
Buyer or prospective buyer’s initials:_____
Date:_____
Sec. 85. NRS 38.300 is hereby amended to read as follows:
38.300 As used in NRS 38.300 to 38.360, inclusive, unless the
context otherwise requires:
1. “Assessments” means:
(a) Any charge which an association may impose against an
owner of residential property pursuant to a declaration of
covenants, conditions and restrictions, including any late charges,
interest and costs of collecting the charges; and
(b) Any penalties, fines, fees and other charges which may be
imposed by an association pursuant to paragraphs (j), (k) and (l) of
subsection 1 of NRS 116.3102.
2. “Association” has the meaning ascribed to it in
NRS 116.110315.
3. “Civil action” includes an action for money damages or
equitable relief. The term does not include an action in equity for
injunctive relief in which there is an immediate threat of irreparable
harm, or an action relating to the title to residential property.
4. “Division” means the Real Estate Division of the
Department of Business and Industry.
5. “Residential property” includes, but is not limited to, real
estate within a planned community subject to the provisions of
chapter 116 of NRS. The term does not include commercial
property if no portion thereof contains property which is used for
residential purposes.
Sec. 86. NRS 38.330 is hereby amended to read as follows:
38.330 1. If all parties named in a written claim filed
pursuant to NRS 38.320 agree to have the claim submitted for
mediation, the parties shall reduce the agreement to writing and
shall select a mediator from the list of mediators maintained by the
Division pursuant to NRS 38.340. Any mediator selected must be
available within the geographic area. If the parties fail to agree
upon a mediator, the Division shall appoint a mediator from the list
of mediators maintained by the Division. Any mediator appointed
must be available within the geographic area. Unless otherwise
provided by an agreement of the parties, mediation must be
completed within 60 days after the parties agree to mediation. Any
agreement obtained through mediation conducted pursuant to this
section must, within 20 days after the conclusion of mediation, be
reduced to writing by the mediator and a copy thereof provided to
each party. The agreement may be enforced as any other written
agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the parties
are responsible for all costs of mediation conducted pursuant to this
section.
2. If all the parties named in the claim do not agree to
mediation, the parties shall select an arbitrator from the list of
arbitrators maintained by the Division pursuant to NRS 38.340.
Any arbitrator selected must be available within the geographic
area. If the parties fail to agree upon an arbitrator, the Division shall
appoint an arbitrator from the list maintained by the Division. Any
arbitrator appointed must be available within the geographic area.
Upon appointing an arbitrator, the Division shall provide the name
of the arbitrator to each party.
3. The Division may provide for the payment of the fees for a
mediator or an arbitrator selected or appointed pursuant to this
section from the Account for [the Ombudsman for Owners in]
Common-Interest Communities created [pursuant to] by NRS
116.1117, to the extent that :
(a) The Commission for Common-Interest Communities
approves the payment; and
(b) There is money [is] available in the account for this purpose.
4. Except as otherwise provided in this section and except
where inconsistent with the provisions of NRS 38.300 to 38.360,
inclusive, the arbitration of a claim pursuant to this section must be
conducted in accordance with the provisions of NRS 38.231,
38.232, 38.233, 38.236 to 38.239, inclusive, 38.242 and 38.243. At
any time during the arbitration of a claim relating to the
interpretation, application or enforcement of any covenants,
conditions or restrictions applicable to residential property or any
bylaws, rules or regulations adopted by an association, the
arbitrator may issue an order prohibiting the action upon which the
claim is based. An award must be made within 30 days after the
conclusion of arbitration, unless a shorter period is agreed upon by
the parties to the arbitration.
5. If all the parties have agreed to nonbinding arbitration, any
party to the arbitration may, within 30 days after a decision and
award have been served upon the parties, commence a civil action
in the proper court concerning the claim which was submitted for
arbitration. Any complaint filed in such an action must contain a
sworn statement indicating that the issues addressed in the
complaint have been arbitrated pursuant to the provisions of NRS
38.300 to 38.360, inclusive. If such an action is not commenced
within that period, any party to the arbitration may, within 1 year
after the service of the award, apply to the proper court for a
confirmation of the award pursuant to NRS 38.239.
6. If all the parties agree in writing to binding arbitration, the
arbitration must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of
this chapter . [38 of NRS.] An award procured pursuant to such
arbitration may be vacated and a rehearing granted upon application
of a party pursuant to the provisions of NRS 38.241.
7. If, after the conclusion of arbitration, a party:
(a) Applies to have an award vacated and a rehearing granted
pursuant to NRS 38.241; or
(b) Commences a civil action based upon any claim which was
the subject of arbitration,
the party shall, if he fails to obtain a more favorable award or
judgment than that which was obtained in the initial arbitration, pay
all costs and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the opposing
party after the application for a rehearing was made or after the
complaint in the civil action was filed.
8. Upon request by a party, the Division shall provide a
statement to the party indicating the amount of the fees for a
mediator or an arbitrator selected or appointed pursuant to this
section.
9. As used in this section, “geographic area” means an area
within 150 miles from any residential property or association which
is the subject of a written claim submitted pursuant to NRS 38.320.
Sec. 87. NRS 78.150 is hereby amended to read as follows:
78.150 1. A corporation organized pursuant to the laws of
this state shall, on or before the first day of the second month after
the filing of its articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State,
file with the Secretary of State a list, on a form furnished by him,
containing:
(a) The name of the corporation;
(b) The file number of the corporation, if known;
(c) The names and titles of the president, secretary, treasurer and
of all the directors of the corporation;
(d) The mailing or street address, either residence or business, of
each officer and director listed, following the name of the officer or
director;
(e) The name and street address of the resident agent of the
corporation; and
(f) The signature of an officer of the corporation certifying that
the list is true, complete and accurate.
2. The corporation shall annually thereafter, on or before the
last day of the month in which the anniversary date of incorporation
occurs in each year, file with the Secretary of State, on a form
furnished by him, an annual list containing all of the information
required in subsection 1.
3. Each list required by subsection 1 or 2 must be accompanied
by a declaration under penalty of perjury that the corporation has
complied with the provisions of chapter 364A of NRS.
4. Upon filing the list required by:
(a) Subsection 1, the corporation shall pay to the Secretary of
State a fee of $165.
(b) Subsection 2, the corporation shall pay to the Secretary of
State a fee of $85.
5. The Secretary of State shall, 60 days before the last day for
filing each annual list required by subsection 2, cause to be mailed
to each corporation which is required to comply with the provisions
of NRS 78.150 to 78.185, inclusive, and which has not become
delinquent, a notice of the fee due pursuant to subsection 4 and a
reminder to file the annual list required by subsection 2. Failure of
any corporation to receive a notice or form does not excuse it from
the penalty imposed by law.
6. If the list to be filed pursuant to the provisions of subsection
1 or 2 is defective in any respect or the fee required by subsection 4
or 8 is not paid, the Secretary of State may return the list for
correction or payment.
7. An annual list for a corporation not in default which is
received by the Secretary of State more than 60 days before its due
date shall be deemed an amended list for the previous year and
must be accompanied by a fee of $85 for filing. A payment
submitted pursuant to this subsection does not satisfy the
requirements of subsection 2 for the year to which the due date is
applicable.
8. If the corporation is an association as defined in NRS
116.110315, the Secretary of State shall not accept the filing
required by this section unless it is accompanied by evidence of the
payment of the fee required to be paid pursuant to NRS 116.31155
that is provided to the association pursuant to [subsection 4 of] that
section.
Sec. 88. As soon as practicable after July 1, 2003, the
Governor shall appoint to the Commission for Common-Interest
Communities:
1. One member whose term begins on October 1, 2003, and
expires on October 1, 2004.
2. Two members whose terms begin on October 1, 2003, and
expire on October 1, 2005.
3. Two members whose terms begin on October 1, 2003, and
expire on October 1, 2006.
Sec. 89. 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this act and
except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, during the period
from October 1, 2003, until January 1, 2004, the Real Estate
Commission, the Real Estate Administrator, the Ombudsman for
Owners in Common-Interest Communities and the Real Estate
Division of the Department of Business and Industry shall continue
to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties that, before
October 1, 2003, were assigned to them pursuant to the provisions
of chapter 116 of NRS.
2. During the period described in subsection 1, the
Commission for Common-Interest Communities, the Real Estate
Administrator, the Ombudsman for Owners in Common-Interest
Communities and the Real Estate Division of the Department of
Business and Industry may exercise any power and perform any
duty assigned to them pursuant to the provisions of chapter 116 of
NRS, as amended by this act, if the exercise of the power or the
performance of the duty is necessary as an organizational,
preparatory or preliminary measure to prepare them to carry out
those provisions.
Sec. 90. 1. The State Treasurer shall transfer any balance
remaining unexpended on October 1, 2003, in the Account for the
Ombudsman for Owners in Common-Interest Communities in the
State General Fund to the Account for Common-Interest
Communities which is created by NRS 116.1117, as amended by
this act.
2. On and after October 1, 2003, the State Treasurer shall treat
any outstanding claims against the Account for the Ombudsman for
Owners in Common-Interest Communities as claims against the
Account for Common-Interest Communities.
Sec. 91. 1. Any administrative regulations adopted by an
officer or an agency whose name has been changed or whose
responsibilities have been transferred pursuant to the provisions of
this act to another officer or agency remain in force until amended
by the officer or agency to which the responsibility for the adoption
of the regulations has been transferred.
2. Any contracts or other agreements entered into by an officer
or agency whose name has been changed or whose responsibilities
have been transferred pursuant to the provisions of this act to
another officer or agency are binding upon the officer or agency to
which the responsibility for the administration of the provisions of
the contract or other agreement has been transferred. Such contracts
and other agreements may be enforced by the officer or agency to
which the responsibility for the enforcement of the provisions of the
contract or other agreement has been transferred.
3. Any action taken by an officer or agency whose name has
been changed or whose responsibilities have been transferred
pursuant to the provisions of this act to another officer or agency
remains in effect as if taken by the officer or agency to which the
responsibility for the enforcement of such actions has been
transferred.
Sec. 92. 1. Not later than July 1, 2005, an association or
master association of a common-interest community shall have
conducted elections of members of the executive board so that the
terms of the members of the executive board are staggered as
required by the provisions of NRS 116.31034, as amended by
section 62 of this act.
2. As used in this section:
(a) “Association” has the meaning ascribed to it in
NRS 116.110315.
(b) “Common-interest community” has the meaning ascribed to
it in NRS 116.110323.
(c) “Executive board” has the meaning ascribed to it in
NRS 116.110345.
(d) “Master association” has the meaning ascribed to it in
NRS 116.110358.
Sec. 93. 1. This section and section 88 of this act become
effective on July 1, 2003.
2. Sections 1 to 23, inclusive, 38 to 69, inclusive, 72 to 87,
inclusive, and 89 to 92, inclusive, of this act become effective on
October 1, 2003.
3. Sections 24 to 37, inclusive, 70 and 71 of this act become
effective on October 1, 2003, for the purpose of adopting
regulations and on January 1, 2004, for all other purposes.
4. Sections 25 and 26 of this act expire by limitation on the
date on which the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 666 requiring each
state to establish procedures under which the state has authority to
withhold or suspend, or to restrict the use of professional,
occupational and recreational licenses of persons who:
(a) Have failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to
a proceeding to determine the paternity of a child or to establish or
enforce an obligation for the support of a child; or
(b) Are in arrears in the payment for the support of one or more
children,
are repealed by the Congress of the United States, whichever is
earlier.
20~~~~~03