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Bill

HB 1501

Concerning inquiries into association governance or operations by unit owners in common interest communities.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Emily Alvarado and 13 co-sponsors

Washington bill grants condo and HOA unit owners enforceable rights to access association governance records and operational information with specified response timelines and procedures.

Effective date 6/11/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 1501

Legislative bill overview

HB 1501 establishes rights for unit owners in common interest communities (condos, HOAs) to inquire into and obtain information about their association's governance and operations. The bill likely creates enforceable procedures for how associations must respond to owner requests for records, meeting minutes, financial documents, and other operational information.

Why is this important

Common interest communities affect millions of property owners who pay fees to associations but often lack transparency into how those organizations operate and spend money. This bill addresses a real problem where some associations deny or delay information requests, leaving owners unable to assess management quality, voting issues, or financial irregularities. The balance between owner transparency rights and association privacy/operational efficiency is a persistent source of disputes.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of information access: Disagreement over what records associations must disclose (e.g., should attorney-client communications, personnel files, or vendor contracts be included?)
  • Cost and burden: Whether associations should be required to compile and deliver information at no cost to owners, or whether reasonable fees are permissible, and who bears costs of compliance
  • Privacy concerns: Tension between owner access rights and protecting personal information of other residents (phone numbers, addresses, financial details from payment records)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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