Common Interest Developments: governing documents: assessments.

The entire document was reformatted from a traditional printed legislative bill layout (with line numbers, page breaks, and centered headers) into a web-based presentation format that includes site navigation elements such as skip-to-content links, quick search fields, and version comparison options.

Changed 'public roads' to 'public streets' in both the summary and new Civil Code Section 4755, narrowing the prohibition on governing document restrictions to only public streets rather than all public roads.

Added a new subdivision (g) to Section 5655 requiring the association to provide general notice of any change in the person or entity authorized to receive assessment payments, using methods described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 4045.

Added a five-year retention period for records confirming that individual notices were distributed under subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 5655.

Changed liability in Section 5690(b) from 'the board' to 'the association' for the reconveyance fee and costs associated with procedural failures, shifting responsibility from individual board members to the association as an entity.

Narrowed the $1,000 civil penalty in Section 5690(c)(1) so it only applies when the third failure within a five-year period relates specifically to subdivision (e) of Section 5655 (the certified mail notice requirement), rather than any procedural failure under the article.

The entire amendment to Section 5650 of the Civil Code was removed. This section dealt with interest rates (capped at 12 percent), late charges, and collection costs on delinquent assessments. The Senate determined this change was nonsubstantive and dropped it from the bill.

Section 5655(d) was restructured from a single certified-mail requirement into a tiered notice system: electronic delivery for members who opted in, first-class mail with certificate of mailing for others, and certified mail with return receipt requested only as a second notice if the member fails to pay two consecutive assessments after the initial individual notice.

New subdivision (f) requires the association to maintain records confirming that individual notices were distributed and to provide proof of delivery to any member who requests it at no charge.

New subdivision (g) requires the association to make a reasonable effort to post a physical copy of the notice in the association's common areas.

New Section 4755 added to the Civil Code prohibiting governing documents from imposing restrictions on a member's use of public roads, with an exception for restrictions enforcing public health and safety standards imposed by local authorities.

The bill's scope expanded from amending only Section 5650 to amending Sections 5655 and 5690 and adding Section 4755, covering public road restrictions, payment handling, and lien compliance penalties in addition to the original assessment debt provisions.

New Section 5655(a) requires that payments made by an owner be applied first to assessments owed, and only after assessments are paid in full may payments be applied to fees, costs of collection, attorney's fees, late charges, or interest.

New Section 5655(b) requires associations to provide a receipt upon request when an owner makes a payment, indicating the date of payment and the person who received it.

New Section 5655(c) requires associations to provide a mailing address for overnight payment of assessments in the annual policy statement.

New Section 5655(d) requires associations to notify members by certified mail, return receipt requested, of any change in the person authorized to receive assessment payments within 60 days of the change.

New Section 5690(b) makes the association board liable to the owner for both the reconveyance fee and associated costs, plus a civil penalty of $1,000, if the association fails to comply with lien recording procedures.