61B-33.003. Recall by Written Agreement of the Voting Interests; Board Certification; Filling Vacancies

(1) Form of Written Agreement. All written agreements used for the purpose of recalling one or more directors of a homeowners’ association created pursuant to Section 723.075, F.S., shall:

(a) List by name each director sought to be recalled;

(b) Provide spaces by the name of each director sought to be recalled so that the person executing the agreement may indicate whether that individual director should be recalled or retained;

(c) List, in the form of a ballot, at least as many eligible persons who are willing to be candidates for replacement directors as there are directors subject to recall, in those cases where a majority or more of the board is sought to be recalled. Candidates for replacement directors shall not be listed when a minority of the board is sought to be recalled, as the remaining board may appoint replacements. A space shall be provided by the name of each candidate so that the person executing the agreement may vote for as many replacement candidates as there are directors sought to be recalled. A space shall be provided and designated for write-in votes. The failure to comply with the requirements of this subsection shall not effect the validity of the recall of a director or directors;

(d) Provide a space for the person signing the written agreement to state his or her name, identify his mobile home lot number, and indicate the date the written agreement is signed;

(e) Provide a signature line for the person executing the written agreement to affirm that he or she is authorized in the manner required by the governing documents to cast the vote for that mobile home lot; and,

(f) Designate a representative who shall open the written agreements, tally the votes, serve copies on the board and, in the event the board does not certify the recall by written agreement and files a petition for arbitration, receive pleadings (e.g., copies of a petition for recall arbitration, motions), notices, or other papers on behalf of the persons executing the written agreement.

(2) The written agreement or a copy shall be served on the board by certified mail or by personal service. Service on the board after 5:00 p.m. on a business day or on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, as prescribed by Section 110.117, F.S., shall be deemed effective as of the next business day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Service of the written agreement on an officer, association manager, director, or the association’s registered agent will be deemed effective service on the association. Service upon an attorney who has represented the association in other legal matters will not be effective on the association unless that attorney is a director, the association’s registered agent, or has otherwise been retained by the association to represent it in the recall proceeding. Personal service shall be effected in the manner authorized in Chapter 48, F.S., and the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

(3) Substantial compliance with the provisions of subsections (1) through (2) of this rule shall be required for an effective recall of a director or directors.

(4) Written recall ballots in a recall by written agreement may be reused in one subsequent recall effort. A written recall ballot expires 120 days after it is signed by a member. Written recall ballots become void with respect to the director sought to be recalled where that director is elected during a regularly scheduled election.

(5) Written recall ballots may be executed by an individual holding a power of attorney or limited or general proxy given by the member(s) of record.

(6) Any rescission or revocation of a member’s written recall ballot or agreement must be done in writing and must be delivered to the board prior to the board being served the written recall agreements.

(7) Board Meeting Concerning a Recall by Written Agreement; Filling Vacancies. The board shall hold a duly noticed meeting of the board to determine whether to certify (i.e., to validate or accept) the recall by written agreement within five full business days after service of the written agreement upon the board. It shall be presumed that service of a written agreement to recall one or more directors shall not, in and of itself, constitute grounds for an emergency meeting of the board to determine whether to certify the recall.

(a) Certified Recall. If the board votes to certify the written agreement to recall, the recall shall be effective upon certification, and the following provisions apply:

1. Each recalled director shall return to the board all association records in his or her possession within five full business days after adjournment of the board meeting at which the recall was certified.

2. If less than a majority of the existing board is recalled in a certified recall, a vacancy or vacancies on the board may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, subject to the provisions of Section 723.078(2)(i), F.S., regardless of whether the authority to fill vacancies in this manner is provided in the governing documents. No recalled director shall be appointed by the board to fill any vacancy on the board. A director appointed pursuant to this rule shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term of the seat being filled. If the board determines not to fill vacancies by vote of the remaining directors or if it is unable to fill vacancies in this manner (e.g., if there is a tie vote on the proposed replacement director, if a quorum is not obtained, or otherwise) the board may, in its discretion, call and hold an election in the manner provided by Section 723.078(2)(d), F.S., in which case any person elected shall fill the entire remaining term.

3. If a majority or more of the board is recalled in a certified recall, those replacement directors elected by the written agreement pursuant to the procedure referenced in paragraph (1)(c) of this rule shall take office upon adjournment of the board meeting at which it was determined to certify the recall. A director who is elected to fill a vacancy caused by recall shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term of the seat being filled.

(b) Non-certification of Recall by the Board. If the board votes not to certify the written agreement to recall for any reason, the following provisions apply:

1. The board shall, consistent with the provisions of Chapter 61B-50, F.A.C., file a petition for arbitration with the division (i.e., be received by the division) within five full business days after adjournment of the board meeting at which the board determined not to certify the written agreement to recall.

2. Any director sought to be recalled shall, unless he or she resigns, continue to serve on the board until a final order regarding the validity of the recall is mailed by the arbitrator.

3. If the arbitrator certifies the recall of less than a majority of the board, the remaining directors may fill the vacancy or vacancies as provided in subparagraph (3)(a)2. of this rule.

4. If the arbitrator certifies the recall of a majority or more of the board, the term of office of those replacement board members elected by written agreement of the voting interests shall become effective upon mailing of the final order of arbitration. The term of office of those replacement directors elected by written agreement of the voting interests shall expire in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (3)(a)3. of this rule.

5. A majority of the total voting interests entitled to vote in favor of recall is sufficient to recall a director, regardless of any provision to the contrary in the governing documents.

6. The failure of the association to enforce a voting certificate requirement in past association elections and member votes shall preclude the association from rejecting a written recall ballot or agreement for failing to comply with a voting certificate requirement.

(8) Board Meeting Minutes. The minutes of the board meeting at which the board determines whether to certify the recall are an official record of the association and shall record the following information:

(a) A majority of the total voting interests entitled to vote in favor of recall is sufficient to recall a director, regardless of any provision to the contrary in the governing documents;

(b) The failure of the association to enforce a voting certificate requirement in past association elections and member votes shall preclude the association from rejecting a written recall ballot or agreement for failing to comply with a voting certificate requirement;

(c) The date and time the board meeting is called to order and adjourned;

(d) Whether the recall is certified by the board;

(e) The manner in which any vacancy on the board occurring as a result of recall will be filled, if the recall is certified; and,

(f) If the recall was not certified, the specific reasons it was not certified.

(9) After service of a written agreement on the board:

(a) Any written rescission of an individual member vote or any additional votes received in regard to the recall shall be ineffective.

(b) Where the board determines not to certify the recall of a director and that director resigns, any appointment to fill the resulting vacancy shall be temporary pending the arbitration decision.

(10) Taking Office. When a majority or more of the board is recalled by written agreement, replacement directors shall take office:

(a) Upon the expiration of five full business days after service of the written agreement on the board, if the board fails to hold its board meeting to determine whether to certify the recall within five full business days after service of the written agreement;

(b) Upon the expiration of five full business days after adjournment of the board meeting to determine whether to certify the recall, if the board fails to certify the recall and fails to file a petition for arbitration;

(c) Upon certification of the recall by the board; or

(d) Upon certification of the recall by the arbitrator, in accordance with subparagraph (3)(b)4. of this rule, if the board files a petition for recall arbitration.

(11) Failure to Duly Notice and Hold a Board Meeting. If the board fails to duly notice and hold a meeting to determine whether to certify the recall within five full business days of service of the written agreement, the following shall apply:

(a) The recall shall be deemed effective immediately upon expiration of the last day of the five full business days after service of the written agreement on the board.

(b) If a majority of the board is recalled, replacement directors elected by the written agreement shall take office upon expiration of five full business days after service of the written agreement on the board in the manner specified in this rule.

(c) If the entire board is recalled, each recalled director shall immediately return to the replacement board all association records in his or her possession. If less than the entire board is recalled, each recalled director shall immediately return to the board all association records in his or her possession.

(12) The written agreement shall become an official record of the association upon service upon the board.

Rulemaking Authority 723.1255., 723.006(7), 723.078(2)(i) FS. Law Implemented 723.078(2)(i) FS. History–New 2-24-16.