As our ongoing commitment to keeping timeshare owners up to date on legislation and news affecting the timeshare vacation industry, following you will find a copy of the 4th edition of ARDA and ARDA-ROC’s digital publication – Government Affairs Insider.

Arizona
HB 2195 unanimously passed the House and will likely be heard by the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee next week. Under the bill, developers can choose to have most timeshare amendments processed within 15 business days—or 30 calendar days if six or more component sites were added to a registration.

Florida
CS/CS/CS HB 1001, also known as Florida’s Timeshare Resale Accountability Act (“TRAA“), passed the House of Representatives and has been transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.

CS/CS/SB 1408, the Senate version of TRAA passed out of the Senate Budget Committee by a unanimous vote on February 28. Once both versions of the TRAA are passed by their respective chambers, the final version of  the legislation will move to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

Utah
HB 191, legislation that includes revisions to the Utah Timeshare and Camp Resort Act, was unanimously passed by the Utah House of Representatives on February 17. The timeshare provisions address a number of issues of interest to both ARDA and ARDA-ROC, including protections for personal information of owners and updates to general timeshare definitions in the Act. The bill has now moved to the Senate for consideration.

Colorado
HB 1116, resale and transfer company legislation sought by ARDA and ARDA-ROC, unanimously passed the House Economic and Business Development Committee on February 21. HB 1116 would establish standards for all resale services and prohibit advance fees for resale transfer services. The bill has now been placed on the floor calendar and is expected to be considered by the full House next week.

Virginia
ARDA-ROC is actively lobbying on behalf of two bills supported by the Virginia Resort Development Association (VRDA). HB 233 contains consumer-friendly timeshare resale provisions, and HB 234 contains provisions that would make it easier for an HOA to advertise the availability of timeshare interests at foreclosure sale. The Senate amendments to HB 233 and HB 234 are expected to be accepted by the House this coming week. ARDA-ROC may work with the Governor on minor revisions to HB 234 when session reconvenes in April.

Hawaii
SB 2632–a bill that attempts to expedite the process of moving all timeshare interest into public records by automatically de-registering those that currently reside in Land Court–has been introduced and has been heard by the Hawaii Legislature. Both ARDA-Hawaii and ARDA-ROC support this bill because it will benefit timeshare owners by reducing the time and costs associated not only with the de-registration process but also any future transfer of the interest–either from the purchase of a timeshare interest from a developer or a purchase of a timeshare on the resale market. The bill has now passed out of its three committees in the Senate and now will move to the Senate floor for a vote.

USVI
ARDA-Caribbean committee is working to ensure the U.S. Virgin Islands Tax Assessor properly implements ARDA and ARDA-ROC supported property tax regulations. In addition, the committee is working with the Governor to exempt timeshare from so-called “anti-barking” legislation and with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) to draft and recommend fair and reasonable timeshare OPC regulations.

 ADA Pool Lift Requirements Effective March 15, 2012
Mandatory compliance with the ADA’s 2010 accessibility-related building standards become effective on March 15, 2012. Under the standards hotels, inns, and other public accommodations with pools, spas, or wading pools must have accessible pool lifts installed.  Portable lifts are allowed if a resort does not have the funds at this time to install a permanent lift. The March 15 deadline is not applicable if the pool or spa is not open on March 15, but would have to be installed by the time the pool opens.

Advantage Vacation has some great prices on timeshare resales at the Westin Kierland in Scottsdale, Arizona and Marriott’s Canyon Villas at Desert Ridge in Phoenix.  We also have great timeshare resale prices in Orlando, Florida at Hilton Grand Vacations Club on International Drive and Marriott’s Grande Vista.

If you are interested in a timeshare vacation experience in Hawaii, check out our great timeshare resale prices at Westin Ka anapali Ocean Resort Villas and Marriott Maui Ocean Club!

Advantage Vacation is a member of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and offers the best buys on the timeshare re sales market today.  We never charge an upfront fee for clients who want to sell a timeshare and only receive a commission, paid from escrow, when the transaction is closed.

We are leaders in the timeshare resale secondary market, have been in the timeshare industry for over 30 years and are Accredited Members of the BBB with an A+ Rating.

Advantage Vacation is using Twitter and Facebook  to help educate people on the changes in the timeshare industry along with current timeshare tips, up to date timeshare news and timeshare FAQ’s.

We hope you will follow us and our blog, Timeshare Blogging by Advantage Vacation for the latest news and reviews.   If our site does not answer your question or questions, please email us your question and we will answer it and add it to our library.  Make your voice heard – what questions do you have?

At Advantage Vacation you can be assured you are working with professionals who believe that honesty and integrity are the most important aspects of the business they are in – timeshare re sales.  Our business has been built on relationships and we pride ourselves on providing excellent service to our clients.

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