requires two-thirds majority vote (§§ 20, 26)                                          

                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                   S.B. 421

 

Senate Bill No. 421–Senator Schneider

 

March 19, 2001

____________

 

Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

 

SUMMARY—Makes various changes to provisions governing common-interest communities. (BDR 10‑446)

 

FISCAL NOTE:            Effect on Local Government: Yes.

                                    Effect on the State: Yes.

 

~

 

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to common-interest communities; creating the commission for common-interest communities to hear and take action on complaints related to such communities; requiring property managing agents to be licensed by the administrator of the real estate division of the department of business and industry; limiting the circumstances under which an association may bring an action to recover damages resulting from constructional defects in any units of the common-interest community; clarifying the amount of a fine that may be imposed for a continuing violation of the governing documents of an association; requiring the removal of a member of the executive board of an association to be conducted by secret ballot; revising the circumstances under which an association may foreclose on its lien for unpaid assessments; providing a penalty; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1    Section 1.  Chapter 116 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2  the provisions set forth as sections 2 to 30, inclusive, of this act.

1-3    Sec. 2.  “Commission” means the commission for common-interest

1-4  communities created pursuant to section 6 of this act.

1-5    Sec. 3.  “Property management” means the physical, administrative

1-6  or financial maintenance and management of real property in a

1-7  common-interest community, or the supervision of those activities for a

1-8  fee, commission or other compensation or valuable consideration.

1-9    Sec. 4.  “Property manager” means a person engaged in property

1-10  management for a common-interest community.

1-11    Sec. 5.  “Property managing agent” means a person who, for

1-12  another person and for compensation, provides or arranges for the

1-13  services of a property manager.


2-1    Sec. 6.  1.  The commission for common-interest communities,

2-2  consisting of five members appointed by the governor, is hereby created.

2-3    2.  The governor shall appoint to the commission:

2-4    (a) Two members who are units’ owners residing in this state, one of

2-5  whom is serving or has served as a member of the executive board of an

2-6  association;

2-7    (b) One member who is in the business of developing common-interest

2-8  communities in this state;

2-9    (c) One member who holds a permit to engage in property

2-10  management that is issued pursuant to the provisions of chapter 645 of

2-11  NRS or holds a certificate for property management issued by the real

2-12  estate commission pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 116.31139; and

2-13    (d) One member who has experience with or knowledge of matters

2-14  related to common-interest communities, other than property

2-15  management.

2-16    3.  At least three members of the commission must be residents of a

2-17  county whose population is 400,000 or more. At least one member of the

2-18  commission must be a resident of a county whose population is 40,000 or

2-19  more. Each member of the commission must have resided in a common-

2-20  interest community or have been actively engaged in a business related to

2-21  common-interest communities for not less than 3 years immediately

2-22  preceding the date of his appointment.

2-23    4.  After the initial terms, each member of the commission shall serve

2-24  a term of 3 years. Each member may serve no more than two consecutive

2-25  full terms. If a vacancy occurs during a member’s term, the governor

2-26  shall appoint a person qualified under this section to replace the member

2-27  for the remainder of the unexpired term.

2-28    5.  While engaged in the business of the commission, each member is

2-29  entitled to receive:

2-30    (a) A salary of not more than $80 per day, as established by the

2-31  commission; and

2-32    (b) The per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state

2-33  officers and employees generally.

2-34    Sec. 7.  1.  The commission shall, at the first meeting of each fiscal

2-35  year, elect from its members a chairman, vice chairman and secretary.

2-36    2.  The commission shall meet at least once each calendar quarter

2-37  and at other times on the call of the chairman or a majority of its

2-38  members.

2-39    3.  A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a

2-40  quorum for the transaction of all business.

2-41    Sec. 8.  1.  A person who is aggrieved by any act committed in

2-42  violation of the provisions of this chapter may, within 2 years after the

2-43  alleged violation and after submitting the complaint for resolution to the

2-44  ombudsman for owners in common-interest communities, file a written

2-45  complaint with the commission specifying the relevant facts. The

2-46  commission may prescribe forms and adopt procedures for the filing of

2-47  such a complaint.

2-48    2.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the commission

2-49  shall, upon the receipt of such a complaint, conduct an investigation to


3-1  determine whether disciplinary action is warranted. The commission

3-2  shall not investigate or take action on a complaint that has been

3-3  submitted to mediation or arbitration pursuant to the provisions of NRS

3-4  38.300 to 38.360, inclusive.

3-5    3.  The commission may require any person who knowingly files a

3-6  false or fraudulent complaint with the commission to pay a fine of not

3-7  more than $1,000.

3-8    Sec. 9.  1.  To carry out its duties, the commission, or any member

3-9  thereof, may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and

3-10  the production of books, records and other papers.

3-11    2.  If any person fails to comply with a subpoena issued by the

3-12  commission pursuant to this section within 10 days after its issuance, the

3-13  commission may petition the district court for an order of the court

3-14  compelling compliance with the subpoena.

3-15    3.  Upon such a petition, the court shall enter an order directing the

3-16  person subpoenaed to appear before the court at a time and place to be

3-17  fixed by the court in its order, the time to be not more than 10 days after

3-18  the date of the order, and show cause why he has not complied with the

3-19  subpoena. A certified copy must be served upon the person subpoenaed.

3-20    4.  If it appears to the court that the subpoena was regularly issued by

3-21  the commission, the court shall enter an order compelling compliance

3-22  with the subpoena, and upon failure to obey the order, the person must

3-23  be dealt with as for contempt of court.

3-24    Sec. 10.  1.  If the commission determines that a complaint received

3-25  pursuant to section 8 of this act is not frivolous, the secretary of the

3-26  commission shall fix a time and place for a hearing on the complaint and

3-27  cause a notice of the hearing and a formal complaint prepared by the

3-28  commission to be served on the person who is alleged to have committed

3-29  the violation. The notice must be served at least 20 days before the date

3-30  fixed for the hearing.

3-31    2.  The commission shall hold a hearing on the complaint within 90

3-32  days after the complaint is filed with the commission. The hearing may

3-33  be continued by the commission upon its own motion or upon written

3-34  request, for good cause shown.

3-35    3.  Written notice may be served by delivery of it personally to the

3-36  person alleged to have committed the violation or by mailing it by

3-37  registered or certified mail to his last known address.

3-38    4.  If the person alleged to have committed the violation submits a

3-39  written request, the commission shall furnish him with copies of any

3-40  communications, reports and affidavits in possession of the commission

3-41  relating to the complaint.

3-42    5.  A person may be represented by an attorney at any proceeding or

3-43  hearing conducted pursuant to this section or section 11 of this act.

3-44    Sec. 11.  1.  All money received by the commission must be

3-45  deposited in a bank or other financial institution in this state and paid

3-46  out on its order for its expenses.

3-47    2.  The commission may delegate to an independent hearing officer

3-48  or panel its authority to take any disciplinary action pursuant to sections

3-49  6 to 14, inclusive, of this act, including the authority to impose and


4-1  collect fines and penalties. Fines and penalties imposed by an

4-2  independent hearing officer or panel must be deposited in an account for

4-3  the commission in a bank or other financial institution in this state.

4-4    3.  If a hearing officer or panel is not authorized to take disciplinary

4-5  action and determine the amount of any fine or penalty imposed

4-6  pursuant to subsection 2, the commission shall deposit the money

4-7  collected from the imposition of fines with the state treasurer for credit to

4-8  the state general fund. If the money is so deposited, the commission may

4-9  present a claim to the state board of examiners for recommendation to

4-10  the interim finance committee if money is required to pay attorney’s fees

4-11  or the costs of an investigation, or both.

4-12    Sec. 12.  1.  The commission shall render a decision on a complaint

4-13  within 20 days after the final hearing thereon.

4-14    2.  The commission shall notify all parties to the complaint of its

4-15  decision in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested.

4-16    Sec. 13. 1.  If the commission determines, after notice and hearing,

4-17  that:

4-18    (a) Any person has violated a provision of this chapter, the

4-19  commission may:

4-20      (1) Issue an order to cease and desist from engaging in such

4-21  conduct;

4-22      (2) Issue an order to take affirmative action to correct conditions

4-23  resulting from the unlawful conduct;

4-24      (3) Impose a fine of not more than $5,000 for each violation; or

4-25      (4) Take any combination of the actions authorized by

4-26  subparagraphs (1), (2) and (3).

4-27    (b) A member or officer of an executive board of an association has

4-28  knowingly and willfully violated a provision of this chapter, the

4-29  commission may remove him from his office if it determines that the

4-30  removal is in the best interest of the association.

4-31    2.  If the commission takes any disciplinary action pursuant to

4-32  subsection 1, it may recover from the person against whom the action is

4-33  taken the costs of the proceedings incurred by the commission, including,

4-34  without limitation, the cost of the investigation and reasonable attorney’s

4-35  fees.

4-36    Sec. 14.  1.  If the commission determines that any person has

4-37  violated or will violate a provision of this chapter, the commission may

4-38  bring an action in the district court for the county in which the person

4-39  resides or, if the person does not reside in this state, in any court of

4-40  competent jurisdiction in this state, to enjoin him from engaging in the

4-41  violation or from doing any act in furtherance of the violation.

4-42    2.  The action must be brought in the name of the State of Nevada.

4-43    3.  An injunction:

4-44    (a) May be issued without proof of actual damage sustained by any

4-45  person.

4-46    (b) Does not prevent the criminal prosecution and punishment of a

4-47  person who violates the provisions of this chapter.


5-1    Sec. 15.  1.  A person shall not conduct business as a property

5-2  managing agent in this state without first obtaining a license from the

5-3  administrator.

5-4    2.  Each applicant for a license as a property managing agent shall

5-5  file an application with the administrator on a form prescribed by the

5-6  administrator.

5-7    3.  The application must:

5-8    (a) Include the social security number of the applicant;

5-9    (b) Be accompanied by the statement required pursuant to section 17

5-10  of this act; and

5-11    (c) Be accompanied by the fee prescribed by the administrator

5-12  pursuant to section 20 of this act.

5-13    Sec. 16.  An applicant for a license as a property managing agent

5-14  must:

5-15    1.  Be at least 18 years of age;

5-16    2.  Be a citizen of the United States or lawfully entitled to remain and

5-17  work in the United States;

5-18    3.  Be competent to engage in business as a property managing agent;

5-19    4.  Have successfully completed a course in property management

5-20  that is approved by the administrator;

5-21    5.  Have passed any examination prescribed by the administrator;

5-22    6.  Hold a permit to engage in property management that is issued

5-23  pursuant to the provisions of chapter 645 of NRS or hold a certificate

5-24  issued by the real estate commission pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS

5-25  116.31139; and

5-26    7.  Have such experience in property management as may be

5-27  prescribed by the administrator.

5-28    Sec. 17.  1.  An applicant for the issuance or renewal of a license as

5-29  a property managing agent must submit to the administrator the

5-30  statement prescribed by the welfare division of the department of human

5-31  resources pursuant to NRS 425.520. The statement must be completed

5-32  and signed by the applicant.

5-33    2.  The administrator shall include the statement required pursuant to

5-34  subsection 1 in:

5-35    (a) The application or any other forms that must be submitted for the

5-36  issuance or renewal of the license; or

5-37    (b) A separate form prescribed by the administrator.

5-38    3.  A license may not be issued or renewed by the administrator if the

5-39  applicant:

5-40    (a) Fails to submit the statement required pursuant to subsection 1; or

5-41    (b) Indicates on the statement submitted pursuant to subsection 1 that

5-42  he is subject to a court order for the support of a child and is not in

5-43  compliance with the order or a plan approved by the district attorney or

5-44  other public agency enforcing the order for the repayment of the amount

5-45  owed pursuant to the order.

5-46    4.  If an applicant indicates on the statement submitted pursuant to

5-47  subsection 1 that he is subject to a court order for the support of a child

5-48  and is not in compliance with the order or a plan approved by the district

5-49  attorney or other public agency enforcing the order for the repayment of


6-1  the amount owed pursuant to the order, the administrator shall advise

6-2  the applicant to contact the district attorney or other public agency

6-3  enforcing the order to determine the actions that the applicant may take

6-4  to satisfy the arrearage.

6-5    Sec. 18.  1.  If the administrator receives a copy of a court order

6-6  issued pursuant to NRS 425.540 that provides for the suspension of all

6-7  professional, occupational and recreational licenses, certificates and

6-8  permits issued to the holder of a license as a property managing agent,

6-9  the administrator shall deem the license to be suspended at the end of the

6-10  30th day after the date the court order was issued unless the

6-11  administrator receives a letter issued to the licensee by the district

6-12  attorney or other public agency pursuant to NRS 425.550 stating that the

6-13  licensee has complied with a subpoena or warrant or has satisfied the

6-14  arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560.

6-15    2.  The administrator shall reinstate a license that has been

6-16  suspended by a district court pursuant to NRS 425.540 if:

6-17    (a) The administrator receives a letter issued by the district attorney or

6-18  other public agency pursuant to NRS 425.550 to the licensee stating that

6-19  the licensee has complied with the subpoena or warrant or has satisfied

6-20  the arrearage pursuant to NRS 425.560; and

6-21    (b) The licensee pays the fee for the reinstatement of the license

6-22  prescribed by the administrator pursuant to section 20 of this act.

6-23    Sec. 19.  1.  Each license as a property managing agent expires 2

6-24  years after the date it is issued and may be renewed if, before the license

6-25  expires, the licensee submits to the administrator:

6-26    (a) An application on a form prescribed by the administrator;

6-27    (b) The fee for the renewal of the license prescribed by the

6-28  administrator pursuant to section 20 of this act; and

6-29    (c) The statement required by section 17 of this act.

6-30    2.  A license that expires pursuant to the provisions of this section

6-31  may be restored if the applicant:

6-32    (a) Complies with the provisions of subsection 1;

6-33    (b) Submits to the administrator proof of his ability to engage in

6-34  property management; and

6-35    (c) Submits to the board the fees prescribed pursuant to section 20 of

6-36  this act.

6-37    Sec. 20.  1.  The administrator shall prescribe by regulation the fees

6-38  for:

6-39    (a) An application for a license as a property managing agent.

6-40    (b) The issuance of a license.

6-41    (c) The renewal of a license.

6-42    (d) The restoration of an expired license.

6-43    (e) The reinstatement of a suspended license.

6-44    (f) The issuance of a duplicate license.

6-45    2.  The administrator may adopt such other regulations as are

6-46  necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 15 to 22, inclusive, of

6-47  this act.

6-48    Sec. 21.  A person who:

6-49    1.  Engages in business as a property managing agent;


7-1    2.  Holds himself out as licensed or qualified to engage in business as

7-2  a property managing agent; or

7-3    3.  Uses in connection with his name any title, words, letters or other

7-4  designation intended to imply or designate that he engages in business as

7-5  a property managing agent,

7-6  without first obtaining a license from the administrator is guilty of a

7-7  misdemeanor.

7-8    Sec. 22.  1.  The administrator may refuse to issue or renew, or may

7-9  suspend or revoke, a license as a property managing agent if, after notice

7-10  and a hearing, the administrator determines that the applicant or

7-11  licensee:

7-12    (a) Has submitted false or misleading information to the

7-13  administrator or any agency of this state, any other state, the Federal

7-14  Government or the District of Columbia.

7-15    (b) Has violated any provision of this chapter or any regulation

7-16  adopted pursuant thereto.

7-17    (c) Has been convicted of a felony, a crime relating to a controlled

7-18  substance or a crime involving moral turpitude.

7-19    (d) Is not competent to engage in the business of property

7-20  management.

7-21    2.  The administrator may require the applicant or licensee to pay the

7-22  costs incurred by the administrator to conduct an investigation and

7-23  hearing required by this section.

7-24    Sec. 23.  1.  If an executive board of an association receives a

7-25  written complaint from a unit’s owner alleging that the board has

7-26  violated any provision of this chapter or any provision of the governing

7-27  documents of the association, the executive board shall respond to the

7-28  complaint, in writing, within 10 days after receiving the complaint.

7-29    2.  The executive board shall provide a copy of the response to a

7-30  unit’s owner within 1 business day after receiving a request therefor.

7-31    Sec. 24.  A member of an executive board shall not harass or take

7-32  any reprisal or retaliatory action against a unit’s owner because the

7-33  unit’s owner has:

7-34    1.  Complained in good faith about any violation of this chapter or

7-35  the governing documents of the association; or

7-36    2.  Requested to review the books, records and papers of the

7-37  association.

7-38    Sec. 25.  1.  A member of an executive board of an association shall

7-39  not:

7-40    (a) On or after October 1, 2001, enter into a contract or renew a

7-41  contract with the association to provide goods or services to the

7-42  association; or

7-43    (b) Otherwise accept any commission, personal profit or

7-44  compensation of any kind from the association for providing goods or

7-45  services to the association.

7-46    2.  The provisions of subsection 1 do not prohibit the payment of a

7-47  salary or other income to a member of an executive board of an

7-48  association for acting in his official capacity.

 


8-1    Sec. 26.  1.  The administrator shall:

8-2    (a) Prescribe standard forms that may be used in preparing

8-3  declarations of covenants, conditions and restrictions for common-

8-4  interest communities, the bylaws of an association, and the rules and

8-5  regulations of an association.

8-6    (b) Make the forms available to declarants and associations upon

8-7  request.

8-8    2.  The administrator may charge a fee for providing the forms

8-9  prescribed pursuant to subsection 1. The fee must not exceed the cost

8-10  incurred by the administrator to provide the forms.

8-11    Sec. 27.  1.  An association may bring an action to recover damages

8-12  resulting from constructional defects in any of the units of the common-

8-13  interest community, or submit such a claim to mediation pursuant to

8-14  NRS 40.680, only:

8-15    (a) If the written approval of the owners of the units that will be the

8-16  subject of the action or claim is first obtained; and

8-17    (b) Upon a vote of the units’ owners to which at least a majority of the

8-18  votes of the members of the association are allocated.

8-19    2.  If an action is brought by an association to recover damages

8-20  resulting from constructional defects in any of the units of the common-

8-21  interest community, or such a claim is submitted to mediation pursuant

8-22  to NRS 40.680, the attorney representing the association shall provide to

8-23  each unit’s owner whose unit is the subject of the action or claim a

8-24  statement that includes, in reasonable detail:

8-25    (a) The defects and damages or injuries to the unit;

8-26    (b) The cause of the defects, if the cause is known;

8-27    (c) The nature and extent that is known of the damage or injury

8-28  resulting from the defects; and

8-29    (d) The location of each defect within the unit.

8-30    3.  As used in this section, “constructional defect” has the meaning

8-31  ascribed to it in NRS 40.615.

8-32    Sec. 28.  If a member of the immediate family of a unit’s owner

8-33  inherits the owner’s unit within a common-interest community, the

8-34  declarant or association may not prohibit that person from residing in

8-35  the common-interest community on the sole ground that he fails to

8-36  comply with qualifications relating to age that are set forth in the

8-37  governing documents of the association.

8-38    Sec. 29.  A person who offers for sale any interest in a unit in a

8-39  common-interest community shall disclose in any advertisement related

8-40  to the sale:

8-41    1.  That the unit is:

8-42    (a) Located within a common-interest community;

8-43    (b) Governed by an association of units’ owners; and

8-44    (c) Subject to the governing documents of the association.

8-45    2.  The projected monthly assessment that a prospective purchaser

8-46  will be required to pay.

8-47    Sec. 30.  Any person who engages in activities on behalf of an

8-48  association to collect assessments, fines or other money owed to the


9-1  association shall comply with the provisions of 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692b to

9-2  1692j, inclusive, as those provisions exist on October 1, 2001.

9-3    Sec. 31.  NRS 116.1103 is hereby amended to read as follows:

9-4    116.1103  In the declaration and bylaws [(NRS 116.3106), unless

9-5  specifically provided otherwise or] of an association and in this chapter,

9-6  unless the context otherwise requires, [and in this chapter,] the words and

9-7  terms defined in NRS 116.110305 to 116.110393, inclusive, and sections 2

9-8  to 5, inclusive, of this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those

9-9  sections.

9-10    Sec. 32.  NRS 116.11145 is hereby amended to read as follows:

9-11    116.11145  1.  To carry out the purposes of this chapter, the real estate

9-12  commission, or any member thereof, may issue subpoenas to compel the

9-13  attendance of witnesses and the production of books, records and other

9-14  papers.

9-15    2.  If any person fails to comply with a subpoena issued by the real

9-16  estate commission pursuant to this section within 10 days after its issuance,

9-17  the real estate commission may petition the district court for an order of

9-18  the court compelling compliance with the subpoena.

9-19    3.  Upon such a petition, the court shall enter an order directing the

9-20  person subpoenaed to appear before the court at a time and place to be

9-21  fixed by the court in its order, the time to be not more than 10 days after

9-22  the date of the order, and show cause why he has not complied with the

9-23  subpoena. A certified copy must be served upon the person subpoenaed.

9-24    4.  If it appears to the court that the subpoena was regularly issued by

9-25  the real estate commission, the court shall enter an order compelling

9-26  compliance with the subpoena, and upon failure to obey the order the

9-27  person shall be dealt with as for contempt of court.

9-28    Sec. 33.  NRS 116.1116 is hereby amended to read as follows:

9-29    116.1116  1.  The office of the ombudsman for owners in common-

9-30  interest communities is hereby created within the real estate division of the

9-31  department of business and industry.

9-32    2.  The administrator shall appoint the ombudsman for owners in

9-33  common-interest communities. The ombudsman for owners in common-

9-34  interest communities is in the unclassified service of the state.

9-35    3.  The ombudsman for owners in common-interest communities must

9-36  be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties and functions

9-37  of his office.

9-38    4.  The ombudsman for owners in common-interest communities shall:

9-39    (a) Assist in processing claims submitted to mediation or arbitration

9-40  pursuant to NRS 38.300 to 38.360, inclusive;

9-41    (b) Assist owners in common-interest communities to understand their

9-42  rights and responsibilities as set forth in this chapter and the governing

9-43  documents of their associations, including, without limitation, publishing

9-44  materials related to those rights and responsibilities;

9-45    (c) Assist persons appointed or elected to serve on executive boards of

9-46  associations to carry out their duties; [and]

9-47    (d) Assist in resolving complaints filed with the office alleging a

9-48  violation of the provisions of this chapter or the governing documents of

9-49  the association; and


10-1    (e) Compile and maintain a registration of each association organized

10-2  within the state which includes, without limitation:

10-3      (1) The name, address and telephone number of the association;

10-4      (2) The name of the [person engaged in property management for the

10-5  common-interest community] property manager or the name of the person

10-6  who manages the property at the site of the common-interest community;

10-7      (3) The names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the

10-8  members of the executive board of the association;

10-9      (4) The name of the declarant;

10-10     (5) The number of units in the common-interest community; and

10-11     (6) The total annual assessment made by the association.

10-12  Sec. 34.  NRS 116.2111 is hereby amended to read as follows:

10-13  116.2111  [Subject]

10-14  1.  Except as otherwise provided in this section and subject to the

10-15  provisions of the declaration and other provisions of law, a unit’s owner:

10-16  [1.] (a) May make any improvements or alterations to his unit that do

10-17  not impair the structural integrity or mechanical systems or lessen the

10-18  support of any portion of the common-interest community;

10-19  [2.] (b) May not change the appearance of the common elements, or the

10-20  exterior appearance of a unit or any other portion of the common-interest

10-21  community, without permission of the association; and

10-22  [3.] (c) After acquiring an adjoining unit or an adjoining part of an

10-23  adjoining unit, may remove or alter any intervening partition or create

10-24  apertures therein, even if the partition in whole or in part is a common

10-25  element, if those acts do not impair the structural integrity or mechanical

10-26  systems or lessen the support of any portion of the common-interest

10-27  community. Removal of partitions or creation of apertures under this

10-28  [subsection] paragraph is not an alteration of boundaries.

10-29  2.  An association may not:

10-30  (a) Require the removal of any structure, fixture or other

10-31  improvement made to a unit if it was approved by the association before

10-32  it was installed or constructed.

10-33  (b) Restrict, prohibit or otherwise impede the lawful rights of units’

10-34  owners to protect and care for themselves, to have reasonable access to

10-35  their homes and to feel safe and secure in their homes.

10-36  (c) Prohibit or require approval for a unit’s owner to include or add in

10-37  or outside a unit:

10-38     (1) An apparatus required to make use of solar energy or to protect

10-39  against the effects of solar energy;

10-40     (2) Improvements such as ramps, railings or elevators that are

10-41  necessary or desirable to increase the owner’s access to his home if the

10-42  owner is elderly or disabled; or

10-43     (3) Safety devices such as shutters or additional locks that are

10-44  desirable to make an owner feel safe in his home.

10-45  3.  Any device or other improvement included or added to the inside

10-46  or outside of a unit pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection 2 must

10-47  be added or installed in the most reasonable manner possible and must

10-48  be selected or designed to the maximum extent practicable to be

10-49  complimentary to the style of the common-interest community.


11-1    Sec. 35.  NRS 116.31031 is hereby amended to read as follows:

11-2    116.31031  1.  If a unit’s owner, or a tenant or guest of a unit’s owner,

11-3  does not comply with a provision of the governing documents of an

11-4  association, the executive board of the association may, if the governing

11-5  documents so provide:

11-6    (a) Prohibit, for a reasonable time, the unit’s owner, or the tenant or

11-7  guest of the unit’s owner, from[:

11-8      (1) Voting on matters related to the common-interest community.

11-9      (2) Using] using the common elements. The provisions of this

11-10  [subparagraph] paragraph do not prohibit the unit’s owner, or the tenant or

11-11  guest of the unit’s owner, from using any vehicular or pedestrian ingress or

11-12  egress to go to or from the unit, including any area used for parking.

11-13  (b) Require the unit’s owner, or the tenant or guest of the unit’s owner,

11-14  to pay a fine for each failure to comply . [that does not threaten the health

11-15  and welfare of the common-interest community.] The fine must be

11-16  commensurate with the severity of the violation . [, but] If the failure to

11-17  comply does not threaten the health, safety or welfare of the common-

11-18  interest community, the fine must not exceed $100 for each violation or a

11-19  total amount of $500, whichever is less.

11-20  2.  If a fine is imposed pursuant to subsection 1 and the violation is not

11-21  cured within 14 days or a longer period as may be established by the

11-22  executive board, the violation shall be deemed a continuing violation.

11-23  Thereafter, the executive board may impose an additional fine for the

11-24  violation for each 7-day period or portion thereof that the violation is not

11-25  cured[.] , but in no event may the total amount of the additional fine

11-26  exceed $500. Any additional fine for the continuing violation may be

11-27  imposed without notice and an opportunity to be heard.

11-28  3.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the imposition of a

11-29  fine pursuant to this section must comply with the requirements of

11-30  subsection 6 of NRS 116.31065.

11-31  4.  For the purposes of this section, the administrator shall adopt by

11-32  regulation a definition of violations that threaten the health, safety or

11-33  welfare of the common-interest community.

11-34  Sec. 36.  NRS 116.31034 is hereby amended to read as follows:

11-35  116.31034  1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5 of NRS

11-36  116.212, not later than the termination of any period of declarant’s control,

11-37  the units’ owners shall elect an executive board of at least three members,

11-38  at least a majority of whom must be units’ owners. The executive board

11-39  shall elect the officers. The members and officers of the executive board

11-40  shall take office upon election.

11-41  2.  The term of office of a member of the executive board may not

11-42  exceed 2 years. A member of the executive board may be elected to

11-43  succeed himself. The governing documents of the association must set

11-44  forth the month during which elections for the members of the executive

11-45  board must be held after the termination of any period of the declarant’s

11-46  control.

11-47  3.  Not less than 30 days before the preparation of a ballot for the

11-48  election of members of the executive board, the secretary or other officer

11-49  specified in the bylaws of the association shall cause notice to be given to


12-1  each unit’s owner of his eligibility to serve as a member of the executive

12-2  board. Each unit’s owner who is qualified to serve as a member of the

12-3  executive board may have his name placed on the ballot along with the

12-4  names of the nominees selected by the members of the executive board or a

12-5  nominating committee established by the association. A unit’s owner may

12-6  not be disqualified from serving as a member of the executive board on

12-7  the sole ground that he has failed to pay any assessment levied against

12-8  his unit or any fine imposed against him for failing to comply with the

12-9  governing documents of the association.

12-10  4.  A unit’s owner may not be an officer or member of the executive

12-11  board if he or any member of his immediate family is the property

12-12  manager of the association.

12-13  5.  An officer, employee, agent or director of a corporate owner of a

12-14  unit, a trustee or designated beneficiary of a trust that owns a unit, a partner

12-15  of a partnership that owns a unit, and a fiduciary of an estate that owns a

12-16  unit may be an officer or member of the executive board. In all events

12-17  where the person serving or offering to serve as an officer or member of

12-18  the executive board is not the record owner, he shall file proof in the

12-19  records of the association that:

12-20  (a) He is associated with the corporate owner, trust, partnership or estate

12-21  as required by this subsection; and

12-22  (b) Identifies the unit or units owned by the corporate owner, trust,

12-23  partnership or estate.

12-24  [5.] 6.  The election of any member of the executive board must be

12-25  conducted by secret written ballot. The secretary or other officer specified

12-26  in the bylaws of the association shall cause to be sent prepaid by United

12-27  States mail to the mailing address of each unit within the common-interest

12-28  community or to any other mailing address designated in writing by the

12-29  unit’s owner, a secret ballot and a return envelope.

12-30  [6.] 7. Each member of the executive board shall, within 30 days after

12-31  his appointment or election, certify in writing that he has read and

12-32  understands the governing documents of the association and the provisions

12-33  of this chapter to the best of his ability.

12-34  Sec. 37.  NRS 116.31036 is hereby amended to read as follows:

12-35  116.31036  1.  Notwithstanding any provision of the declaration or

12-36  bylaws to the contrary, the units’ owners, by a two-thirds vote of [all

12-37  persons present and entitled to vote at any meeting of the units’ owners at

12-38  which a quorum is present,] the votes cast, may remove any member of the

12-39  executive board with or without cause . [, other than a member appointed

12-40  by the declarant.]

12-41  2.  The removal of any member of the executive board must be

12-42  conducted by secret written ballot. The secretary or other officer specified

12-43  in the bylaws of the association shall cause to be sent prepaid by United

12-44  States mail to the mailing address of each unit within the common-

12-45  interest community or to any other mailing address designated in writing

12-46  by the unit’s owner, a secret ballot and a return envelope.

12-47  3.  If a member of an executive board is sued for liability for actions

12-48  undertaken in his role as a member of the board, the association shall

12-49  indemnify him for his losses or claims, and undertake all costs of defense,


13-1  unless it is proven that he acted with willful or wanton misfeasance or with

13-2  gross negligence. After such proof the association is no longer liable for

13-3  the cost of defense, and may recover costs already expended from the

13-4  member of the executive board who so acted. Members of the executive

13-5  board are not personally liable to the victims of crimes occurring on the

13-6  property. Punitive damages may not be recovered against the association,

13-7  but may be recovered from persons whose activity gave rise to the

13-8  damages.

13-9    4.  The provisions of this section do not prohibit the commission from

13-10  taking any disciplinary action against a member of an executive board

13-11  pursuant to section 13 or 14 of this act.

13-12  Sec. 38.  NRS 116.3106 is hereby amended to read as follows:

13-13  116.3106  1.  The bylaws of the association must provide:

13-14  (a) The number of members of the executive board and the titles of the

13-15  officers of the association;

13-16  (b) For election by the executive board of a president, treasurer,

13-17  secretary and any other officers of the association the bylaws specify;

13-18  (c) The qualifications, powers and duties, terms of office and manner of

13-19  electing and removing officers of the association and members of the

13-20  executive board and filling vacancies;

13-21  (d) Which, if any, of its powers the executive board or officers may

13-22  delegate to other persons or to a managing agent;

13-23  (e) Which of its officers may prepare, execute, certify and record

13-24  amendments to the declaration on behalf of the association;

13-25  (f) Procedural rules for conducting meetings of the association; [and]

13-26  (g) A method for amending the bylaws[.] ; and

13-27  (h) Procedural rules for conducting special elections. Such rules must

13-28  provide that a special election be held in a timely manner if at least 10

13-29  percent of the units’ owners of the association have signed a petition

13-30  requesting such an election. The petition must include the purpose for

13-31  which the special election is to be held.

13-32  2.  Except as otherwise provided in the declaration, the bylaws may

13-33  provide for any other matters the association deems necessary and

13-34  appropriate.

13-35  3.  The bylaws must be written in plain English.

13-36  Sec. 39.  NRS 116.31065 is hereby amended to read as follows:

13-37  116.31065  The rules adopted by an association:

13-38  1.  Must be reasonably related to the purpose for which they are

13-39  adopted.

13-40  2.  Must be sufficiently explicit in their prohibition, direction or

13-41  limitation to inform a unit’s owner, or a tenant or guest of a unit’s owner,

13-42  of any action or omission required for compliance.

13-43  3.  Must not be adopted to evade any obligation of the association.

13-44  4.  Must be consistent with the governing documents of the association

13-45  and must not arbitrarily restrict conduct or require the construction of any

13-46  capital improvement by a unit’s owner that is not required by the governing

13-47  documents of the association.


14-1    5.  Must be uniformly enforced under the same or similar

14-2  circumstances against all units’ owners. [Any rule that is not so uniformly

14-3  enforced may not be enforced against any unit’s owner.]

14-4    6.  May be enforced by the assessment of a fine only if:

14-5    (a) The person alleged to have violated the rule has received notice of

14-6  the alleged violation that informs him of his opportunity to request a

14-7  hearing on the alleged violation.

14-8    (b) At least 30 days before the alleged violation, the person alleged to

14-9  have violated the rule was given written notice of the rule or any

14-10  amendment to the rule.

14-11  Sec. 40.  NRS 116.3108 is hereby amended to read as follows:

14-12  116.3108  1.  A meeting of the units’ owners of an association must

14-13  be held at least once each year. If the governing documents of a common-

14-14  interest community do not designate an annual meeting date of the units’

14-15  owners, a meeting of the units’ owners must be held 1 year after the date of

14-16  the last meeting of the units’ owners. If the units’ owners have not held a

14-17  meeting for 1 year, a meeting of the units’ owners must be held on the

14-18  following March 1. Special meetings of the units’ owners of an association

14-19  may be called by the president, a majority of the executive board or by

14-20  units’ owners having 10 percent, or any lower percentage specified in the

14-21  bylaws, of the votes in the association.

14-22  2.  Not less than 10 nor more than 60 days in advance of any meeting

14-23  of the units’ owners of an association, the secretary or other officer

14-24  specified in the bylaws shall cause notice of the meeting to be hand-

14-25  delivered or sent prepaid by United States mail to the mailing address of

14-26  each unit or to any other mailing address designated in writing by the unit’s

14-27  owner. The notice of the meeting must state the time and place of the

14-28  meeting and include a copy of the agenda for the meeting. The notice must

14-29  include notification of the right of a unit’s owner to:

14-30  (a) Have a copy of the minutes or a summary of the minutes of the

14-31  meeting distributed to him upon request and, if required by the executive

14-32  board, upon payment to the association of the cost of making the

14-33  distribution.

14-34  (b) Speak to the association or executive board, unless the executive

14-35  board is meeting in executive session.

14-36  3.  The agenda for a meeting of the units’ owners must consist of:

14-37  (a) A clear and complete statement of the topics scheduled to be

14-38  considered during the meeting, including, without limitation, any proposed

14-39  amendment to the declaration or bylaws, any fees or assessments to be

14-40  imposed or increased by the association, any budgetary changes and any

14-41  proposal to remove an officer or member of the executive board.

14-42  (b) A list describing the items on which action may be taken and clearly

14-43  denoting that action may be taken on those items. In an emergency, the

14-44  units’ owners may take action on an item which is not listed on the agenda

14-45  as an item on which action may be taken.

14-46  (c) A period devoted to comments by units’ owners and discussion of

14-47  those comments. Except in emergencies, no action may be taken upon a

14-48  matter raised under this item of the agenda until the matter itself has been


15-1  specifically included on an agenda as an item upon which action may be

15-2  taken pursuant to paragraph (b).

15-3    4.  If the association adopts a policy imposing a fine on a unit’s owner

15-4  for the violation of the declaration, bylaws or other rules established by the

15-5  association, the secretary or other officer specified in the bylaws shall

15-6  prepare and cause to be hand-delivered or sent prepaid by United States

15-7  mail to the mailing address of each unit or to any other mailing address

15-8  designated in writing by the unit’s owner, a schedule of the fines that may

15-9  be imposed for those violations.

15-10  5.  Not more than 30 days after any meeting of the units’ owners, the

15-11  secretary or other officer specified in the bylaws shall cause the minutes or

15-12  a summary of the minutes of the meeting to be made available to the units’

15-13  owners. A copy of the minutes or a summary of the minutes must be

15-14  provided to any unit’s owner who pays the association the cost of

15-15  providing the copy to him.

15-16  6.  As used in this section, “emergency” means any occurrence or

15-17  combination of occurrences that:

15-18  (a) Could not have been reasonably foreseen;

15-19  (b) Affects the health, welfare and safety of the units’ owners of the

15-20  association;

15-21  (c) Requires the immediate attention of, and possible action by, the

15-22  executive board; and

15-23  (d) Makes it impracticable to comply with the provisions of subsection

15-24  2 or 3.

15-25  7.  For the purposes of this section, the administrator shall adopt

15-26  regulations to provide for a more detailed definition of an emergency that

15-27  affects the health, welfare and safety of the units’ owners of the

15-28  association.

15-29  Sec. 41.  NRS 116.31083 is hereby amended to read as follows:

15-30  116.31083  1.  A meeting of the executive board of an association

15-31  must be held at least once every 90 days.

15-32  2.  Except in an emergency or unless the bylaws of an association

15-33  require a longer period of notice, the secretary or other officer specified in

15-34  the bylaws of the association shall, not less than 10 days before the date of

15-35  a meeting of the executive board, cause notice of the meeting to be given to

15-36  the units’ owners. Such notice must be:

15-37  (a) Sent prepaid by United States mail to the mailing address of each

15-38  unit within the common-interest community or to any other mailing

15-39  address designated in writing by the unit’s owner; or

15-40  (b) Published in a newsletter or other similar publication that is

15-41  circulated to each unit’s owner.

15-42  3.  In an emergency, the secretary or other officer specified in the

15-43  bylaws of the association shall, if practicable, cause notice of the meeting

15-44  to be sent prepaid by United States mail to the mailing address of each unit

15-45  within the common-interest community. If delivery of the notice in this

15-46  manner is impracticable, the notice must be hand-delivered to each unit

15-47  within the common-interest community or posted in a prominent place or

15-48  places within the common elements of the association.


16-1    4.  The notice of a meeting of the executive board of an association

16-2  must state the time and place of the meeting and include a copy of the

16-3  agenda for the meeting or the date on which and the locations where copies

16-4  of the agenda may be conveniently obtained by the units’ owners of the

16-5  association. The notice must include notification of the right of a unit’s

16-6  owner to:

16-7    (a) Have a copy of the minutes or a summary of the minutes of the

16-8  meeting distributed to him upon request and, if required by the executive

16-9  board, upon payment to the association of the cost of making the

16-10  distribution.

16-11  (b) Speak to the association or executive board, unless the executive

16-12  board is meeting in executive session.

16-13  5.  The agenda of the meeting of the executive board of an association

16-14  must comply with the provisions of subsection 3 of NRS 116.3108. The

16-15  period required to be devoted to comments by units’ owners and discussion

16-16  of those comments must be scheduled for the beginning of each meeting.

16-17  In an emergency, the executive board may take action on an item which is

16-18  not listed on the agenda as an item on which action may be taken.

16-19  6.  At least once every 90 days, unless the declaration or bylaws of the

16-20  association impose more stringent standards, the executive board shall

16-21  review at one of its meetings:

16-22  (a) A current reconciliation of the operating account of the association;

16-23  (b) A current reconciliation of the reserve account of the association;

16-24  (c) The actual revenues and expenses for the reserve account, compared

16-25  to the budget for that account for the current year;

16-26  (d) The latest account statements prepared by the financial institutions

16-27  in which the accounts of the association are maintained;

16-28  (e) An income and expense statement, prepared on at least a quarterly

16-29  basis, for the operating and reserve accounts of the association; and

16-30  (f) The current status of any civil action or claim submitted to

16-31  arbitration or mediation in which the association is a party.

16-32  7.  The minutes of a meeting of the executive board of an association

16-33  must [be] :

16-34  (a) Include:

16-35     (1) The date, time and place of the meeting;

16-36     (2) Those members of the executive board who were present and

16-37  those members who were absent;

16-38     (3) The substance of all matters proposed, discussed or decided and,

16-39  at the request of any member, a record of each member’s vote on any

16-40  matter decided by vote;

16-41     (4) The substance of remarks made by any unit’s owner who

16-42  addresses the executive board if he requests that the minutes reflect his

16-43  remarks or, if he has prepared written remarks, a copy of his prepared

16-44  remarks if he submits a copy for inclusion; and

16-45     (5) Any other information that any unit’s owner requests to be

16-46  included or reflected in the minutes;

16-47  (b) Be maintained by the executive board until the common-interest

16-48  community is terminated; and


17-1    (c) Be made available to the units’ owners in accordance with the

17-2  provisions of subsection 5 of NRS 116.3108.

17-3    8.  As used in this section, “emergency” means any occurrence or

17-4  combination of occurrences that:

17-5    (a) Could not have been reasonably foreseen;

17-6    (b) Affects the health, welfare and safety of the units’ owners of the

17-7  association;

17-8    (c) Requires the immediate attention of, and possible action by, the

17-9  executive board; and

17-10  (d) Makes it impracticable to comply with the provisions of subsection

17-11  2 or 5.

17-12  9.  For the purposes of this section, the administrator shall adopt

17-13  regulations to provide factual considerations for use in determining

17-14  whether an emergency affects the health, welfare and safety of the units’

17-15  owners of the association.

17-16  Sec. 42.  NRS 116.31085 is hereby amended to read as follows:

17-17  116.31085  1.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, a unit’s

17-18  owner may attend any meeting of the units’ owners of the association or of

17-19  the executive board and speak at any such meeting. The executive board

17-20  may establish reasonable limitations on the time a unit’s owner may speak

17-21  at such a meeting.

17-22  2.  An executive board may meet in executive session to:

17-23  (a) Consult with the attorney for the association on matters relating to

17-24  proposed or pending litigation if the contents of the discussion would

17-25  otherwise be governed by the privilege set forth in NRS 49.035 to 49.115,

17-26  inclusive;

17-27  (b) Discuss [matters relating to personnel;] personal matters relating to

17-28  an employee of the association; or

17-29  (c) Discuss a violation of the governing documents alleged to have been

17-30  committed by a unit’s owner, including, without limitation, the failure to

17-31  pay an assessment, except as otherwise provided in subsection 3.

17-32  3.  An executive board shall meet in executive session to hold a hearing

17-33  on an alleged violation of the governing documents unless the unit’s owner

17-34  who allegedly committed the violation requests in writing that the hearing

17-35  be conducted by the executive board at an open meeting. The unit’s owner

17-36  who is alleged to have committed the violation may attend the hearing and

17-37  testify concerning the alleged violation, but may be excluded by the

17-38  executive board from any other portion of the hearing, including, without

17-39  limitation, the deliberations of the executive board.

17-40  4.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any matter

17-41  discussed in executive session must be generally noted in the minutes of

17-42  the meeting of the executive board. The executive board shall maintain

17-43  minutes of any decision made pursuant to subsection 3 and, upon request,

17-44  provide a copy of the decision to the unit’s owner who was the subject of

17-45  the hearing or to his designated representative.

17-46  5.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a unit’s owner is not

17-47  entitled to attend or speak at a meeting of the executive board held in

17-48  executive session.

 


18-1    Sec. 43.  NRS 116.3109 is hereby amended to read as follows:

18-2    116.3109  1.  Except as otherwise provided in this section and unless

18-3  the bylaws provide otherwise, a quorum is present throughout any meeting

18-4  of the association if persons entitled to cast 20 percent of the votes that

18-5  may be cast for election of the executive board are present in person or by

18-6  proxy at the beginning of the meeting.

18-7    2.  Unless the bylaws specify a larger percentage, a quorum is deemed

18-8  present throughout any meeting of the executive board if persons entitled

18-9  to cast 50 percent of the votes on that board are present at the beginning of

18-10  the meeting.

18-11  3.  For the purposes of [determining whether a quorum is present for

18-12  the election of] electing or removing any member of the executive board, a

18-13  quorum is not required and only the secret written ballots that are returned

18-14  to the association may be counted.

18-15  Sec. 44.  NRS 116.311 is hereby amended to read as follows:

18-16  116.311  1.  If only one of several owners of a unit is present at a

18-17  meeting of the association, that owner is entitled to cast all the votes

18-18  allocated to that unit. If more than one of the owners are present, the votes

18-19  allocated to that unit may be cast only in accordance with the agreement of

18-20  a majority in interest of the owners, unless the declaration expressly

18-21  provides otherwise. There is majority agreement if any one of the owners

18-22  cast the votes allocated to that unit without protest made promptly to the

18-23  person presiding over the meeting by any of the other owners of the unit.

18-24  2.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, votes allocated to a

18-25  unit may be cast pursuant to a proxy executed by a unit’s owner. A unit’s

18-26  owner may give a proxy only to a member of his immediate family, a

18-27  tenant of the unit’s owner who resides in the common-interest community

18-28  or another unit’s owner who resides in the common-interest community. If

18-29  a unit is owned by more than one person, each owner of the unit may vote

18-30  or register protest to the casting of votes by the other owners of the unit

18-31  through an executed proxy. A unit’s owner may revoke a proxy given

18-32  pursuant to this section only by actual notice of revocation to the person

18-33  presiding over a meeting of the association. A proxy is void if:

18-34  (a) It is not dated or purports to be revocable without notice;

18-35  (b) It does not designate the votes that must be cast on behalf of the

18-36  unit’s owner who executed the proxy; or

18-37  (c) The holder of the proxy does not disclose at the beginning of the

18-38  meeting for which the proxy is executed the number of proxies pursuant to

18-39  which he will be casting votes. [and the voting instructions received for

18-40  each proxy.]

18-41  A proxy terminates immediately after the conclusion of the meeting for

18-42  which it was executed. A vote may not be cast pursuant to a proxy for the

18-43  election or removal of a member of the executive board of an association.

18-44  3.  Only a vote cast in person, by secret ballot or by proxy, may be

18-45  counted.

18-46  4.  If the declaration requires that votes on specified matters affecting

18-47  the common-interest community be cast by lessees rather than units’

18-48  owners of leased units:


19-1    (a) The provisions of subsections 1 and 2 apply to lessees as if they

19-2  were units’ owners;

19-3    (b) Units’ owners who have leased their units to other persons may not

19-4  cast votes on those specified matters; and

19-5    (c) Lessees are entitled to notice of meetings, access to records,
and other rights respecting those matters as if they were units’
owners.

19-6  Units’ owners must also be given notice, in the manner provided in NRS

19-7  116.3108, of all meetings at which lessees are entitled to vote.

19-8    5.  No votes allocated to a unit owned by the association may be cast.

19-9    6.  Votes cast for the election or removal of a member of the executive

19-10  board of an association must be counted in public.

19-11  Sec. 45.  NRS 116.31135 is hereby amended to read as follows:

19-12  116.31135  1.  [Any] Except as otherwise provided in this section,

19-13  any portion of the common-interest community for which insurance is

19-14  required under NRS 116.3113 which is damaged or destroyed must be

19-15  repaired or replaced promptly by the association unless:

19-16  (a) The common-interest community is terminated, in which case NRS

19-17  116.2118, 116.21183 and 116.21185 apply;

19-18  (b) Repair or replacement would be illegal under any state or local

19-19  statute or ordinance governing health or safety; or

19-20  (c) Eighty percent of the units’ owners, including every owner of a unit

19-21  or assigned limited common element that will not be rebuilt, vote not to

19-22  rebuild.

19-23  The cost of repair or replacement in excess of insurance proceeds and

19-24  reserves is a common expense.

19-25  2.  If any damage to a portion of the common-interest community that

19-26  is required to be repaired pursuant to subsection 1 threatens the health,

19-27  welfare or safety of the units’ owners of the association, it must be

19-28  repaired as soon as practicable, but not later than 10 days after it is

19-29  discovered.

19-30  3.  If the entire common-interest community is not repaired or replaced,

19-31  the proceeds attributable to the damaged common elements, must be used

19-32  to restore the damaged area to a condition compatible with the remainder

19-33  of the common-interest community, and except to the extent that other

19-34  persons will be distributees [(] pursuant to subparagraph 2 of paragraph (l)

19-35  of subsection 1 of NRS 116.2105 : [):]

19-36  (a) The proceeds attributable to units and limited common elements that

19-37  are not rebuilt must be distributed to the owners of those units and the

19-38  owners of the units to which those limited common elements were

19-39  allocated, or to lien holders, as their interests may appear; and

19-40  (b) The remainder of the proceeds must be distributed to all the units’

19-41  owners or lien holders, as their interests may appear, as follows:

19-42     (1) In a condominium, in proportion to the interests of all the units in

19-43  the common elements; and

19-44     (2) In a cooperative or planned community, in proportion to the

19-45  liabilities of all the units for common expenses.

19-46  [3.] 4. If the units’ owners vote not to rebuild any unit, that unit’s

19-47  allocated interests are automatically reallocated upon the vote as if the unit


20-1  had been condemned under subsection 1 of NRS 116.1107, and the

20-2  association promptly shall prepare, execute and record an amendment to

20-3  the declaration reflecting the reallocations.

20-4    Sec. 46.  NRS 116.31139 is hereby amended to read as follows:

20-5    116.31139  1.  An association may employ a [person engaged in

20-6  property management for the common-interest community.] property

20-7  manager.

20-8    2.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, a [person engaged in

20-9  property management for a common-interest community] property

20-10  manager must:

20-11  (a) Hold a permit to engage in property management that is issued

20-12  pursuant to the provisions of chapter 645 of NRS; or

20-13  (b) Hold a certificate issued by the real estate commission pursuant to

20-14  subsection 3.

20-15  3.  The real estate commission shall provide by regulation for the

20-16  issuance of certificates for the management of common-interest

20-17  communities to persons who are not otherwise authorized to engage in

20-18  property management pursuant to the provisions of chapter 645 of NRS.

20-19  The regulations:

20-20  (a) Must establish the qualifications for the issuance of such a

20-21  certificate, including the education and experience required to obtain such

20-22  a certificate;

20-23  (b) May require applicants to pass an examination in order to obtain a

20-24  certificate;

20-25  (c) Must establish standards of practice for [persons engaged in property

20-26  management for a common-interest community;] property managers;

20-27  (d) Must establish the grounds for initiating disciplinary action against a

20-28  person to whom a certificate has been issued, including, without limitation,

20-29  the grounds for placing conditions, limitations or restrictions on a

20-30  certificate and for the suspension or revocation of a certificate; and

20-31  (e) Must establish rules of practice and procedure for conducting

20-32  disciplinary hearings.

20-33  The real estate division of the department of business and industry may

20-34  investigate the property managers to whom certificates have been issued to

20-35  ensure their compliance with the standards of practice adopted pursuant to

20-36  this subsection and collect a fee for the issuance of a certificate by the real

20-37  estate commission in an amount not to exceed the administrative costs of

20-38  issuing the certificate.

20-39  4.  The provisions of subsection 2 do not apply to:

20-40  (a) A person who is engaged in property management for a common-

20-41  interest community on October 1, 1999, and is granted an exemption from

20-42  the requirements of subsection 2 by the administrator upon demonstration

20-43  that he is qualified and competent to engage in property management for a

20-44  common-interest community.

20-45  (b) A financial institution.

20-46  (c) An attorney licensed to practice in this state.

20-47  (d) A trustee.

20-48  (e) An employee of a corporation who manages only the property of the

20-49  corporation.


21-1    (f) A declarant.

21-2    (g) A receiver.

21-3    [5.  As used in this section, “property management” means the

21-4  physical, administrative or financial maintenance and management of real

21-5  property, or the supervision of those activities for a fee, commission or

21-6  other compensation or valuable consideration.]

21-7    Sec. 47.  NRS 116.3115 is hereby amended to read as follows:

21-8    116.3115  1.  Until the association makes an assessment for common

21-9  expenses, the declarant shall pay all common expenses. After an

21-10  assessment has been made by the association, assessments must be made at

21-11  least annually, based on a budget adopted at least annually by the

21-12  association in accordance with the requirements set forth in NRS

21-13  116.31151. Except for an association for a time-share project governed by

21-14  the provisions of chapter 119A of NRS, and unless the declaration imposes

21-15  more stringent standards, the budget must include a budget for the daily

21-16  operation of the association and the money for the reserve required by

21-17  paragraph (b) of subsection 2.

21-18  2.  Except for assessments under subsections 4 to 7, inclusive:

21-19  (a) All common expenses, including a reserve, must be assessed against

21-20  all the units in accordance with the allocations set forth in the declaration

21-21  pursuant to subsections 1 and 2 of NRS 116.2107.

21-22  (b) The association shall establish an adequate reserve, funded on a

21-23  reasonable basis, for the repair, replacement and restoration of the major

21-24  components of the common elements. The reserve may be used only for

21-25  those purposes, including, without limitation, repairing, replacing and

21-26  restoring roofs, roads and sidewalks, and must not be used for daily

21-27  maintenance.

21-28  3.  Any past due assessment for common expenses or installment

21-29  thereof bears interest at the rate established by the association not

21-30  exceeding 18 percent per year.

21-31  4.  To the extent required by the declaration:

21-32  (a) Any common expense associated with the maintenance, repair,

21-33  restoration or replacement of a limited common element must be assessed

21-34  against the units to which that limited common element is assigned,

21-35  equally, or in any other proportion the declaration provides;

21-36  (b) Any common expense or portion thereof benefiting fewer than all of

21-37  the units must be assessed exclusively against the units benefited; and

21-38  (c) The costs of insurance must be assessed in proportion to risk and the

21-39  costs of utilities must be assessed in proportion to usage.

21-40  5.  Assessments to pay a judgment against the association may be made

21-41  only against the units in the common-interest community at the time the

21-42  judgment was entered, in proportion to their liabilities for common

21-43  expenses.

21-44  6.  If any common expense is caused by the misconduct of any unit’s

21-45  owner, the association may assess that expense exclusively against his unit.

21-46  7.  The association of a common-interest community created before

21-47  January 1, 1992, is not required to make an assessment against a vacant lot

21-48  located within the community that is owned by the declarant.


22-1    8.  If liabilities for common expenses are reallocated, assessments for

22-2  common expenses and any installment thereof not yet due must be

22-3  recalculated in accordance with the reallocated liabilities.

22-4    9.  The association shall provide written notice to the owner of each

22-5  unit of a meeting at which an assessment for a capital improvement or the

22-6  commencement of a civil action is to be considered or action is to be taken

22-7  on such an assessment at least 21 calendar days before the meeting.

22-8  [Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the] The association may

22-9  commence a civil action only upon a vote [or written agreement] of the

22-10  owners of units to which at least a majority of the votes of the members of

22-11  the association are allocated. [The provisions of this subsection do not

22-12  apply to a civil action that is commenced:

22-13  (a) By an association for a time-share project governed by the

22-14  provisions of chapter 119A of NRS;

22-15  (b) To enforce the payment of an assessment;

22-16  (c) To enforce the declaration, bylaws or rules of the association;

22-17  (d) To proceed with a counterclaim; or

22-18  (e) To protect the health, safety and welfare of the members of the

22-19  association. If a civil action is commenced pursuant to this paragraph

22-20  without the required vote or agreement, the action must be ratified within

22-21  90 days after the commencement of the action by a vote or written

22-22  agreement of the owners of the units to which at least a majority of votes of

22-23  the members of the association are allocated. If the association, after

22-24  making a good faith effort, cannot obtain the required vote or agreement to

22-25  commence or ratify such a civil action, the association may thereafter seek

22-26  to dismiss the action without prejudice for that reason only if a vote or

22-27  written agreement of the owners of the units to which at least a majority of

22-28  votes of the members of the association are allocated was obtained at the

22-29  time the approval to commence or ratify the action was sought.]

22-30  10.  At least 10 days before an association commences [or seeks to

22-31  ratify the commencement of] a civil action, the association shall provide a

22-32  written statement to all units’ owners that includes:

22-33  (a) A reasonable estimate of the costs of the civil action, including

22-34  reasonable attorney’s fees;

22-35  (b) An explanation of the potential benefits of the civil action and the

22-36  potential adverse consequences if the association does not commence the

22-37  action or if the outcome of the action is not favorable to the association;

22-38  and

22-39  (c) All disclosures that are required to be made upon the sale of the

22-40  property.

22-41  11.  No person other than a unit’s owner may request the dismissal of a

22-42  civil action commenced by the association on the ground that the

22-43  association failed to comply with any provision of this section.

22-44  Sec. 48.  NRS 116.31158 is hereby amended to read as follows:

22-45  116.31158  1.  Each association shall, at the time it pays the fee

22-46  required by NRS 116.31155, register with the ombudsman for owners in

22-47  common-interest communities on a form prescribed by the ombudsman.


23-1    2.  The form for registration must include, without limitation, the

23-2  information required to be maintained pursuant to paragraph [(d)] (e) of

23-3  subsection 4 of NRS 116.1116.

23-4    Sec. 49.  NRS 116.31162 is hereby amended to read as follows:

23-5    116.31162  1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, in a

23-6  condominium, a cooperative where the owner’s interest in a unit is real

23-7  estate as determined pursuant to NRS 116.1105, or a planned community,

23-8  the association may foreclose its lien by sale after:

23-9    (a) The association has mailed by certified or registered mail, return

23-10  receipt requested, to the unit’s owner or his successor in interest, at his

23-11  address if known, and at the address of the unit, a notice of delinquent

23-12  assessment which states the amount of the assessments and other sums

23-13  which are due in accordance with subsection 1 of NRS 116.3116, a

23-14  description of the unit against which the lien is imposed, and the name of

23-15  the record owner of the unit;

23-16  (b) The association has given written notice to the ombudsman for

23-17  owners in common-interest communities that contains the same

23-18  information as the notice of delinquent assessment, the ombudsman

23-19  provides an explanation of the pending action to the unit’s owner or his

23-20  successor in interest, and the ombudsman approves the foreclosure, in

23-21  writing;

23-22  (c) The association or other person conducting the sale has executed and

23-23  caused to be recorded, with the county recorder of the county in which the

23-24  common-interest community or any part of it is situated, a notice of default

23-25  and election to sell the unit to satisfy the lien, which contains the same

23-26  information as the notice of delinquent assessment, but must also describe

23-27  the deficiency in payment and the name and address of the person

23-28  authorized by the association to enforce the lien by sale; and

23-29  [(c)] (d) The unit’s owner or his successor in interest has failed to pay

23-30  the amount of the lien, including costs, fees and expenses incident to its

23-31  enforcement, for 60 days following the recording of the notice of default

23-32  and election to sell.

23-33  2.  The notice of default and election to sell must be signed by the

23-34  person designated in the declaration or by the association for that purpose,

23-35  or if no one is designated, by the president of the association.

23-36  3.  The period of 60 days begins on the first day following the later of:

23-37  (a) The day on which the notice of default is recorded; [or]

23-38  (b) The day on which a copy of the notice of default is mailed by

23-39  certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the unit’s owner or

23-40  his successor in interest at his address if known, and at the address of the

23-41  unit[.] ; or

23-42  (c) The day on which the ombudsman’s written approval is received

23-43  by the association.

23-44  4.  The association may not foreclose a lien by sale for the assessment

23-45  of a fine for a violation of the declaration, bylaws, rules or regulations of

23-46  the association, unless the violation is of a type that threatens the health,

23-47  safety or welfare of the residents of the common-interest community. For

23-48  the purposes of this subsection, the administrator shall adopt by


24-1  regulation a definition of violations that threaten the health, safety or

24-2  welfare of the residents of the common-interest community.

24-3    Sec. 50.  NRS 116.31175 is hereby amended to read as follows:

24-4    116.31175  1.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the

24-5  executive board of an association shall, upon the written request of a unit’s

24-6  owner, make available the books, records and other papers of the

24-7  association for review during the regular working hours of the association

24-8  [.] , including, without limitation, all records relating to any civil or

24-9  criminal action to which the association is a party. The provisions of this

24-10  subsection do not apply to:

24-11  (a) The personnel records of the employees of the association; and

24-12  (b) The records of the association relating to another unit’s owner.

24-13  2.  If the executive board refuses to allow a unit’s owner to review the

24-14  books, records or other papers of the association, the ombudsman for

24-15  owners in common-interest communities may:

24-16  (a) On behalf of the unit’s owner and upon written request, review the

24-17  books, records or other papers of the association during the regular

24-18  working hours of the association; and

24-19  (b) If he is denied access to the books, records or other papers, request

24-20  the commission to issue a subpoena for their production.

24-21  3.  The books, records and other papers of an association must be

24-22  maintained for a period of at least 10 years.

24-23  Sec. 51.  NRS 116.31177 is hereby amended to read as follows:

24-24  116.31177  1.  The executive board of an association shall maintain

24-25  and make available for review at the business office of the association or

24-26  other suitable location:

24-27  (a) The financial statement of the association;

24-28  (b) The budgets of the association required to be prepared pursuant to

24-29  NRS 116.31151; and

24-30  (c) The study of the reserves of the association required to be conducted

24-31  pursuant to NRS 116.31152.

24-32  2.  The executive board shall provide a copy of any of the records

24-33  required to be maintained pursuant to subsection 1 to a unit’s owner or the

24-34  ombudsman for owners in common-interest communities within 14 days

24-35  after receiving a written request therefor. The executive board may charge

24-36  a fee to cover the actual costs of preparing a copy, but not to exceed 25

24-37  cents per page.

24-38  3.  The records required to be maintained pursuant to subsection 1

24-39  must be maintained for a period of at least 10 years.

24-40  Sec. 52.  NRS 116.4109 is hereby amended to read as follows:

24-41  116.4109  1.  Except in the case of a sale in which delivery of a public

24-42  offering statement is required, or unless exempt under subsection 2 of NRS

24-43  116.4101, a unit’s owner shall furnish to a purchaser before execution of

24-44  any contract for sale of a unit, or otherwise before conveyance:

24-45  (a) A copy of the declaration, other than any plats and plans, the bylaws,

24-46  the rules or regulations of the association and, except for a time share

24-47  governed by the provisions of chapter 119A of NRS, the information

24-48  statement required by NRS 116.41095;


25-1    (b) A statement setting forth the amount of the monthly assessment for

25-2  common expenses and any unpaid assessment of any kind currently due

25-3  from the selling unit’s owner;

25-4    (c) The current operating budget of the association and a financial

25-5  statement for the association; and

25-6    (d) A statement of any unsatisfied judgments or pending legal actions

25-7  against the association and the status of any pending legal actions relating

25-8  to the common-interest community of which the unit’s owner has actual

25-9  knowledge.

25-10  2.  The association, within [10] 5 days after receiving a request by a

25-11  unit’s owner, shall furnish a certificate containing the information

25-12  necessary to enable the unit’s owner to comply with this section. A unit’s

25-13  owner providing a certificate pursuant to subsection 1 is not liable to the

25-14  purchaser for any erroneous information provided by the association and

25-15  included in the certificate.

25-16  3.  Neither a purchaser nor the purchaser’s interest in a unit is liable for

25-17  any unpaid assessment or fee greater than the amount set forth in the

25-18  certificate prepared by the association. If the association fails to furnish the

25-19  certificate within the [10] 5 days allowed by subsection 2, the seller is not

25-20  liable for the delinquent assessment.

25-21  Sec. 53.  NRS 116.41095 is hereby amended to read as follows:

25-22  116.41095  The information statement required by NRS 116.4103 and

25-23  116.4109 must be in substantially the following form:

 

25-24  BEFORE YOU PURCHASE PROPERTY IN A

25-25  COMMON-INTEREST COMMUNITY

25-26  DID YOU KNOW . . .

25-27  1.  YOU ARE AGREEING TO RESTRICTIONS ON HOW YOU

25-28  CAN USE YOUR PROPERTY?

25-29  These restrictions are contained in a document known as the Declaration of

25-30  Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (C, C & R’s) that should be

25-31  provided for your review before making your purchase. The C, C & R’s

25-32  become a part of the title to your property. They bind you and every future

25-33  owner of the property whether or not you have read them or had them

25-34  explained to you. The C, C & R’s, together with other “governing

25-35  documents” (such as association bylaws and rules and regulations), are

25-36  intended to preserve the character and value of properties in the

25-37  community, but may also restrict what you can do to improve or change

25-38  your property and limit how you use and enjoy your property. By

25-39  purchasing a property encumbered by C, C & R’s, you are agreeing to

25-40  limitations that could affect your lifestyle and freedom of choice. You

25-41  should review the C, C & R’s and other governing documents before

25-42  purchasing to make sure that these limitations and controls are acceptable

25-43  to you.

25-44  2.  YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY OWNERS’ ASSESSMENTS FOR AS

25-45  LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR PROPERTY?

25-46  As an owner in a common-interest community, you are responsible for

25-47  paying your share of expenses relating to the common elements, such as

25-48  landscaping, shared amenities and the operation of any homeowner’s


26-1  association. The obligation to pay these assessments binds you and every

26-2  future owner of the property. Owners’ fees are usually assessed by the

26-3  homeowner’s association and due monthly. You have to pay dues whether

26-4  or not you agree with the way the association is managing the property or

26-5  spending the assessments. The executive board of the association may have

26-6  the power to change and increase the amount of the assessment and to levy

26-7  special assessments against your property to meet extraordinary expenses.

26-8  In some communities, major components of the community such as roofs

26-9  and private roads must be maintained and replaced by the association. If

26-10  the association is not well managed or fails to maintain adequate reserves

26-11  to repair, replace and restore common elements, you may be required to

26-12  pay large, special assessments to accomplish these tasks.

26-13  3.  IF YOU FAIL TO PAY OWNERS’ ASSESSMENTS, YOU

26-14  COULD LOSE YOUR HOME?

26-15  If you do not pay these assessments when due, the association usually has

26-16  the power to collect them by selling your property in a nonjudicial

26-17  foreclosure sale. If fees become delinquent, you may also be required to

26-18  pay penalties and the association’s costs and attorney’s fees to become

26-19  current. If you dispute the obligation or its amount, your only remedy to

26-20  avoid the loss of your home may be to file a lawsuit and ask a court to

26-21  intervene in the dispute.

26-22  4.  YOU MAY BECOME A MEMBER OF A HOMEOWNER’S

26-23  ASSOCIATION THAT HAS THE POWER TO AFFECT HOW YOU

26-24  USE AND ENJOY YOUR PROPERTY?

26-25  Many common-interest communities have a homeowner’s association. In a

26-26  new development, the association will usually be controlled by the

26-27  developer until a certain number of units have been sold. After the period

26-28  of developer control, the association may be controlled by property owners

26-29  like yourself who are elected by homeowners to sit on an executive board

26-30  and other boards and committees formed by the association. The

26-31  association, and its executive board, are responsible for assessing

26-32  homeowners for the cost of operating the association and the common or

26-33  shared elements of the community and for the day to day operation and

26-34  management of the community. Because homeowners sitting on the

26-35  executive board and other boards and committees of the association may

26-36  not have the experience or professional background required to understand

26-37  and carry out the responsibilities of the association properly, the

26-38  association may hire professional managers to carry out these

26-39  responsibilities.

26-40  Homeowner’s associations operate on democratic principles. Some

26-41  decisions require all homeowners to vote, some decisions are made by the

26-42  executive board or other boards or committees established by the

26-43  association or governing documents. Although the actions of the

26-44  association and its executive board are governed by state laws, the C, C &

26-45  R’s and other documents that govern the common-interest community,

26-46  decisions made by these persons will affect your use and enjoyment of

26-47  your property, your lifestyle and freedom of choice, and your cost of living

26-48  in the community. You may not agree with decisions made by the

26-49  association or its governing bodies even though the decisions are ones


27-1  which the association is authorized to make. Decisions may be made by a

27-2  few persons on the executive board or governing bodies that do not

27-3  necessarily reflect the view of the majority of homeowners in the

27-4  community. If you do not agree with decisions made by the association, its

27-5  executive board or other governing bodies, your remedy is typically to

27-6  attempt to use the democratic processes of the association to seek the

27-7  election of members of the executive board or other governing bodies that

27-8  are more responsive to your needs. If persons controlling the association or

27-9  its management are not complying with state laws or the governing

27-10  documents, your remedy is typically to seek to mediate or arbitrate the

27-11  dispute and, if mediation or arbitration is unsuccessful, file a lawsuit and

27-12  ask a court to resolve the dispute. In addition to your personal cost in

27-13  mediation or arbitration, or to prosecute a lawsuit, you may be responsible

27-14  for paying your share of the association’s cost in defending against your

27-15  claim. There is no government agency in this state that investigates or

27-16  intervenes to resolve disputes in homeowner’s associations.

27-17  5.  YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROSPECTIVE BUYERS

27-18  OF YOUR PROPERTY WITH INFORMATION ABOUT LIVING IN

27-19  YOUR COMMON-INTEREST COMMUNITY?

27-20  The law requires you to provide to a prospective purchaser of your

27-21  property, before you enter into a purchase agreement, a copy of the

27-22  community’s governing documents, including the C, C & R’s, association

27-23  bylaws, and rules and regulations, as well as a copy of this document. You

27-24  are also required to provide a copy of the association’s current financial

27-25  statement, operating budget and information regarding the amount of the

27-26  monthly assessment for common expenses, including the amount set aside

27-27  as reserves for the repair, replacement and restoration of common

27-28  elements. You are also required to inform prospective purchasers of any

27-29  outstanding judgments or lawsuits pending against the association of which

27-30  you are aware. You are also required to provide a copy of the minutes from

27-31  the most recent meeting of the homeowner’s association or its executive

27-32  board. For more information regarding these requirements, see Nevada

27-33  Revised Statutes 116.4103.

27-34  6.  YOU HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS REGARDING OWNERSHIP IN

27-35  A COMMON-INTEREST COMMUNITY THAT ARE GUARANTEED

27-36  YOU BY THE STATE?

27-37  Pursuant to provisions of chapter 116 of Nevada Revised Statutes, you

27-38  have the right:

27-39  (a) To be notified of all meetings of the association and its executive

27-40  board, except in cases of emergency.

27-41  (b) To attend and speak at all meetings of the association and its

27-42  executive board, except in some cases where the executive board is

27-43  authorized to meet in closed, executive session.

27-44  (c) To request a special meeting of the association upon petition of at

27-45  least 10 percent of the homeowners.

27-46  (d) To inspect, examine, photocopy and audit financial and other

27-47  records of the association.

27-48  (e) To be notified of all changes in the community’s rules and

27-49  regulations and other actions by the association or board that affect you.


28-1    7.  QUESTIONS?

28-2  Although they may be voluminous, you should take the time to read and

28-3  understand the documents that will control your ownership of a property in

28-4  a common-interest community. You may wish to ask your real estate

28-5  professional, lawyer or other person with experience to explain anything

28-6  you do not understand. You may also request assistance from the

28-7  ombudsman for owners in common-interest communities, Nevada Real

28-8  Estate Division, at (telephone number)[.] , or the commission for

28-9  common-interest communities, at (telephone number).

 

28-10  Buyer or prospective buyer’s initials:_____

28-11  Date:_____

28-12  Sec. 54.  NRS 38.330 is hereby amended to read as follows:

28-13  38.330  1.  If all parties named in a written claim filed pursuant to

28-14  NRS 38.320 agree to have the claim submitted for mediation, the parties

28-15  shall reduce the agreement to writing and shall select a mediator from the

28-16  list of mediators maintained by the division pursuant to NRS 38.340. Any

28-17  mediator selected must be available within the geographic area. If the

28-18  parties fail to agree upon a mediator, the division shall appoint a mediator

28-19  from the list of mediators maintained by the division. Any mediator

28-20  appointed must be available within the geographic area. Unless otherwise

28-21  provided by an agreement of the parties, mediation must be completed

28-22  within 60 days after the parties agree to mediation. Any agreement

28-23  obtained through mediation conducted pursuant to this section must, within

28-24  20 days after the conclusion of mediation, be reduced to writing by the

28-25  mediator and a copy thereof provided to each party. The agreement may be

28-26  enforced as any other written agreement. Except as otherwise provided in

28-27  this section, the parties are responsible for all costs of mediation conducted

28-28  pursuant to this section.

28-29  2.  If all the parties named in the claim do not agree to mediation, the

28-30  parties shall select an arbitrator from the list of arbitrators maintained by

28-31  the division pursuant to NRS 38.340. Any arbitrator selected must be

28-32  available within the geographic area. If the parties fail to agree upon an

28-33  arbitrator, the division shall appoint an arbitrator from the list maintained

28-34  by the division. Any arbitrator appointed must be available within the

28-35  geographic area. Upon appointing an arbitrator, the division shall provide

28-36  the name of the arbitrator to each party.

28-37  3.  The division may provide for the payment of the fees for a mediator

28-38  or an arbitrator selected or appointed pursuant to this section from the

28-39  account for the ombudsman for owners in common-interest communities

28-40  created pursuant to NRS 116.1117, to the extent that money is available in

28-41  the account for this purpose.

28-42  4.  Except as otherwise provided in this section and except where

28-43  inconsistent with the provisions of NRS 38.300 to 38.360, inclusive, the

28-44  arbitration of a claim pursuant to this section must be conducted in

28-45  accordance with the provisions of NRS 38.075 to [38.105,] 38.135,

28-46  inclusive, [38.115, 38.125, 38.135,] 38.155 and 38.165. No party to the

28-47  arbitration may be represented by an attorney. At any time during the

28-48  arbitration of a claim relating to the interpretation, application or


29-1  enforcement of any covenants, conditions or restrictions applicable to

29-2  residential property or any bylaws, rules or regulations adopted by an

29-3  association, the arbitrator may issue an order prohibiting the action upon

29-4  which the claim is based. An award must be made within 30 days after the

29-5  conclusion of arbitration, unless a shorter period is agreed upon by the

29-6  parties to the arbitration.

29-7    5.  If all the parties have agreed to nonbinding arbitration, any party to

29-8  the arbitration may, within 30 days after a decision and award have been

29-9  served upon the parties, commence a civil action in the proper court

29-10  concerning the claim which was submitted for arbitration. Any complaint

29-11  filed in such an action must contain a sworn statement indicating that the

29-12  issues addressed in the complaint have been arbitrated pursuant to the

29-13  provisions of NRS 38.300 to 38.360, inclusive. If such an action is not

29-14  commenced within that period, any party to the arbitration may, within 1

29-15  year after the service of the award, apply to the proper court for a

29-16  confirmation of the award pursuant to NRS 38.135.

29-17  6.  [If] Except as otherwise provided in this section, if all the parties

29-18  agree in writing to binding arbitration, the arbitration must be conducted in

29-19  accordance with the provisions of [chapter 38 of NRS.] this chapter. An

29-20  award procured pursuant to such arbitration may be vacated and a

29-21  rehearing granted upon application of a party pursuant to the provisions of

29-22  NRS 38.145.

29-23  7.  If, after the conclusion of arbitration, a party:

29-24  (a) Applies to have an award vacated and a rehearing granted pursuant

29-25  to NRS 38.145; or

29-26  (b) Commences a civil action based upon any claim which was the

29-27  subject of arbitration,

29-28  the party shall, if he fails to obtain a more favorable award or judgment

29-29  than that which was obtained in the initial arbitration, pay all costs and

29-30  reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the opposing party after the

29-31  application for a rehearing was made or after the complaint in the civil

29-32  action was filed.

29-33  8.  Upon request by a party, the division shall provide a statement to

29-34  the party indicating the amount of the fees for a mediator or an arbitrator

29-35  selected or appointed pursuant to this section.

29-36  9.  As used in this section, “geographic area” means an area within 150

29-37  miles from any residential property or association which is the subject of a

29-38  written claim submitted pursuant to NRS 38.320.

29-39  Sec. 55.  Section 15 of this act is hereby amended to read as follows:

29-40  Sec. 15.  1.  A person shall not conduct business as a property

29-41  managing agent in this state without first obtaining a license from the

29-42  administrator.

29-43  2.  Each applicant for a license as a property managing agent shall

29-44  file an application with the administrator on a form prescribed by the

29-45  administrator.

29-46  3.  The application must [:

29-47  (a) Include the social security number of the applicant;

29-48  (b) Be accompanied by the statement required pursuant to section

29-49  17 of this act; and


30-1    (c) Be] be accompanied by the fee prescribed by the administrator

30-2  pursuant to section 20 of this act.

30-3    Sec. 56.  Section 19 of this act is hereby amended to read as follows:

30-4    Sec. 19. 1.  Each license as a property managing agent expires 2

30-5  years after the date it is issued and may be renewed if, before the

30-6  license expires, the licensee submits to the administrator:

30-7    (a) An application on a form prescribed by the administrator; and

30-8    (b) The fee for the renewal of the license prescribed by the

30-9  administrator pursuant to section 20 of this act . [; and

30-10  (c) The statement required by section 17 of this act.]

30-11  2.  A license that expires pursuant to the provisions of this section

30-12  may be restored if the applicant:

30-13  (a) Complies with the provisions of subsection 1;

30-14  (b) Submits to the administrator proof of his ability to engage in

30-15  property management; and

30-16  (c) Submits to the board the fees prescribed pursuant to section 20

30-17  of this act.

30-18  Sec. 57.  Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 15 to 22,

30-19  inclusive, of this act, a person who engages in business as a property

30-20  managing agent is not required to be licensed pursuant to the provisions of

30-21  this act before January 1, 2002.

30-22  Sec. 58.  Any declaration, bylaw or other governing document of a

30-23  common-interest community in effect on October 1, 2001, that does not

30-24  conform to the provisions of chapter 116 of NRS, as amended by this act,

30-25  shall be deemed to have been conformed to those provisions by operation

30-26  of law. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, not

30-27  later than October 1, 2002, any declaration, bylaw or other governing

30-28  document of a common-interest community created on or after January 1,

30-29  1992, that does not conform to the provisions of chapter 116 of NRS, as

30-30  amended by this act, must be changed to conform to those provisions, and

30-31  may be so changed without complying with the procedural requirements

30-32  generally applicable to the adoption of an amendment to such a declaration,

30-33  by law or other governing document.

30-34  Sec. 59.  As soon as practicable after October 1, 2001, the governor

30-35  shall appoint to the commission for common-interest communities:

30-36  1.  One member whose term expires on October 1, 2002.

30-37  2.  Two members whose terms expire on October 1, 2003.

30-38  3.  Two members whose terms expire on October 1, 2004.

30-39  Sec. 60.  The provisions of this act do not apply to offenses committed

30-40  before October 1, 2001.

30-41  Sec. 61.  1.  This section and sections 1 to 53, inclusive, and 56 to 59,

30-42  inclusive, of this act become effective on October 1, 2001.

30-43  2.  Sections 54 and 55 of this act become effective on the date on which

30-44  the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 666 requiring each state to establish

30-45  procedures under which the state has authority to withhold or suspend, or

30-46  to restrict the use of professional, occupational and recreational licenses of

30-47  persons who:


31-1    (a) Have failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to a

31-2  proceeding to determine the paternity of a child or to establish or enforce

31-3  an obligation for the support of a child; or

31-4    (b) Are in arrears in the payment for the support of one or more

31-5  children,

31-6  are repealed by the Congress of the Unites States.

31-7    3.  Sections 17 and 18 of this act expire by limitation on the date on

31-8  which the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 666 requiring each state to establish

31-9  procedures under which the state has authority to withhold or suspend, or

31-10  to restrict the use of professional, occupational and recreational licenses of

31-11  persons who:

31-12  (a) Have failed to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to a

31-13  proceeding to determine the paternity of a child or to establish or enforce

31-14  an obligation for the support of a child; or

31-15  (b) Are in arrears in the payment for the support of one or more

31-16  children,

31-17  are repealed by the Congress of the Unites States.

 

31-18  H