Summary — HB 7002
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING SOLAR INSTALLATIONS IN CERTAIN COMMON INTEREST OWNERSHIP COMMUNITIES
Bill Number: HB 7002 (File No. 272) — Introduced Feb 19, 2025
Subject headings: assessments; Common Interest Communities; indemnity; Solar electricity work
Note: The full bill text is not provided. The summary below describes the bill’s apparent purpose and the types of provisions it addresses based on the title, subject headings, and available legislative actions. For exact language and legal effects, consult the bill text and the Office of Legislative Research / Office of Fiscal Analysis reports.
Purpose and intent
HB 7002 is intended to address how solar electric systems (e.g., rooftop photovoltaic panels) are treated in “common interest ownership communities” (condominiums, cooperatives, planned communities, homeowners’ associations). The bill appears aimed at clarifying or modifying the rights, responsibilities, and procedures relating to installation, maintenance, liability, and cost allocation for solar installations in those communities.
Key provisions (anticipated)
Although the text is not provided, bill title and subjects indicate the measure likely addresses several areas:
- Owner installation rights: Affirms or limits the ability of individual unit owners to install solar electric systems on units or limited common elements.
- Association approval and reasonable restrictions: Establishes standards for when and how an association may impose aesthetic or placement restrictions, and may prohibit arbitrary bans on solar installations.
- Assessments and cost allocation: Specifies whether and how associations may levy assessments related to installation, repair, removal, or modification of common elements for solar equipment.
- Indemnity and insurance: Requires owners who install solar systems to indemnify the association for damage or liability, and/or to maintain specified insurance or provide an indemnity agreement.
- Licensing and workmanship: Requires solar electrical work to be performed by licensed contractors and to comply with building, electrical, and fire codes.
- Procedural protections: May set timelines for association review/approval, notice requirements, or dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Who is affected
- Unit owners in common interest communities (condominiums, HOAs, co-ops) seeking to install solar systems.
- Community associations and boards (responsible for approvals, assessments, and enforcement).
- Solar contractors/electricians (licensing and compliance requirements).
- Insurers and associations’ members (potential changes to liability and assessment exposures).
Legislative status and timeline
- Introduced: 2025-02-19; referred to the Joint Committee on Planning and Development.
- Public hearing: 2025-02-24.
- Joint favorable report: 2025-03-07.
- Filed with LCO: 2025-03-11.
- Referred to OLR & OFA: 2025-03-20 (requested 03/25/25).
- Reported out of LCO, favorably reported and tabled for House calendar: 2025-03-26. House Calendar #195. File No. 272.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Could increase homeowner access to rooftop/limited-common-element solar, supporting renewable energy adoption.
- May shift some financial responsibility for installation-related damage or structural modification to individual owners through indemnity or assessments.
- Could reduce association discretion to prohibit solar, but allow reasonable design controls.
- Associations should review governance documents; owners and contractors should watch for any owner-obligation (insurance/indemnity) or procedural requirements in final text.
For precise provisions, dollar or penalty amounts (if any), and fiscal impact, consult the bill text and the Office of Legislative Research / Office of Fiscal Analysis reports once available.
