THERE ARE TWO LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES IN OUR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INSTITUTE ORGANIZATION

The Maryland Legislative Action Committee (MD-LAC) is a CAI National Committee. The MD-LAC works to monitor state legislation, educate lawmakers, and protect the interests of those living and working in community associations in Maryland. The MD-LAC is comprised of homeowner leaders, community managers, and representatives from community association business partners such as attorneys, insurance representatives, etc., who graciously volunteer their time to review legislation, testify in writing and attend hearings introduced in the General Assembly session in Annapolis which generally runs from mid-January to mid-April each year.

The CRCCAI Legislative Committee is a Chesapeake Region Chapter Committee and is focused on assistance to the MD-LAC and monitoring local legislation on the county and municipal levels. In the Chesapeake Region Chapter (CRC) there are 3 counties in Delaware and 22 counties and the City of Baltimore in Maryland. The CRC does not include Montgomery County and parts of Prince George’s County, which are covered by the DC Metro Chapter. The Committee has identified the counties in the CRC with the largest concentrations of community associations and will focus on those counties first. Those counties include Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Howard County, Baltimore City and the Delmarva peninsula to include Delaware, and the beach resort areas (DE counties, Wicomico County, MD and Worcester County, MD.) As the Committee grows, we hope to have committee members involved in every county in the CRC while also working closely with the DC Metro Chapter and the MD-LAC.

The best part of being a member of the CRCCAI Legislative Committee is the prime opportunity to be involved at the county level, ensuring voices of community association participants are heard, and being an educational resource to local legislators, thus enabling them to make better decisions for their constituents.

In 2022, the CRCCAI Legislative Committee reviewed the following legislation - backyard chickens, commercial vehicles, and development practices affecting signage, stormwater management, abandoned properties and historic properties.

The CRCCAI Legislative Committee is gearing up to work closely with the MD-LAC for the upcoming 2023 General Assembly session. The LAC’s priorities for 2023 include: legislation clarifying the 2022 requirement of reserve studies and reserve funding; clarifying the 2008 solar collector law; and enabling legislation to grant HOA’s the power and authority to fine.

Also in 2023, the CRCCAI Legislative Committee plans to participate in more outreach meetings with legislators as well as more convention/event type settings that will bring the Committee members in closer contact with the county legislators.

Written by: Cynthia Hitt Kent Law Office of Cynthia Hitt Kent, LLC ckent@hittkentlaw.com

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHART YOUR COURSE WITH CAI

The beginning of a new year is always a great time to evaluate your goals for the next 12 months. If you are reading this article, you have most likely considered membership in the Chesapeake Region Chapter of CAI as an integral part of your plan to achieve those goals. For many of you, attending the Charting Your Course Virtual Event gave you valuable information that will help to incorporate CAI into your plan.

Over 100 people attended the January 18th Charting Your Course Event. Our Committee Chairs and CoChairs took some time to introduce their committees and explain what their goals and responsibilities are. With 10 committees available for you to join, there is something of interest for everyone. We also took a few minutes to give information on upcoming Chapter events. Events are a great way to get out and meet other members. Our educational breakfasts, networking events, trade show, and golf tournament are all great ways to mix and mingle with your fellow chapter members. A few days after the event, everyone who attended received a Door Dash gift card. Thank you, Chesapeake Region Chapter of CAI!

We are now a few months into 2023. Have you become more involved in CAI? If the answer is no, have no fear. It is never too late to join a committee and start attending events. The following link will take you to the Committee Page on the website, where you can learn more about each committee and choose those that are the best fit for you. www.caimdches.org/committees

For a calendar of upcoming events, please visit: www.caimdches.org/committees