Bill seeks to protect homeowner association members who cut water use

The state Assembly has passed a bill that will protect people in homeowner associations who try to reduce the amount of water they use for landscaping.

The bill was approved 71-1 today without debate, according to an Associated Press report.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) is sponsoring the bill. Some homeowner associations have been forcing their members to maintain thick, green lawns despite the drought.

Gonzalez’ bill would make it illegal for associations, housing cooperatives and apartment owners to ban water-saving plants or prohibit their members from following local conservation rules.

The bill will now go to the Senate.

Four other bills would prevent anyone who lets their lawn die during the drought from being fined by their homeowner association, according to the report.