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What is a LAC?
A CAI “LAC” is a state Legislative Action Committee. Each LAC is approved by CAI’s Board of Trustees and is a subgroup of the national Public Affairs Council.
What is the role of the LAC?
LAC’s draft, monitor, support or oppose state legislation or regulations that directly affect community association residents. They promote and implement CAI public policy at the state level. Additionally, they monitor growing trends and develop strategies to protect community associations.
Who serves on LAC?
CAI’s President appoints members based upon recommendations by the Chapter Boards. Each LAC member must be a current member of CAI.
How does CAI support LACs?
CAI members residing in a state with a Legislative Action Committee are required to pay a $15 legislative support fee when renewing their CAI membership. These fees are collected and distributed to each LAC on a monthly basis. Individual homeowner members or those members with a conflict of interest (public officials) are exempt from paying the fee.
CAI also provides LAC’s with substantive legislative information, including legislative tracking reports, a legislative newsletter, public policy manuals, fixed alerts and research on industry-related state laws nationwide.
Is NCLAC a Political Action Committee?
NO, We are a "grass roots" organization and do not contribute funds to politicians or special interest groups. NCLAC is able to influence only through letter writing and personal meeting campaigns; letters that come from members and board members such as yourselves.
Is it legal for our association to donate money?
YES, It is legal for an association to donate money from the funds collected. The board has a duty to spend the money wisely, and how much wiser could it be than spending it on protecting the association and its owners by supporting constructive, and opposing offensive, state legislation.
What is our donation used for?
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY, NOT POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS, Expenses include printing and mailing information to CAI members and LAC contributors, lobbyist fees and administrative services, providing legislative information to the LAC volunteers and more. Again, no campaign contributions are given to legislators.
Is this Committee really an advantage and is it acting on our behalf?
ABSOLUTELY, Senate and Assembly committees ask our advocate (lobbyist) for input as housing legislation is proposed and debated. The Governor's Office often contacts our office to ask LAC's position on a bill prior to the Governor signing the bill!
For the latest on legislative action, please visit the CAI’s LAC & CAAN pages on its web site.
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CAAN (Community Associations Advocacy Neetwork)
What is CAAN?
CAAN is a nationally organized team of community association homeowners and professionals who are willing to communicate with their legislators and other elected and appointed officials. CAAN members educate government officials about community association concerns through letters, phone calls and personal visits. CAAN members form a “first alert network” to provide input on breaking issues and enhance CAI’s ability to effectively influence the formulation and outcome of public policy.
How do you benefit from being a CAAN member?
As a member of CAAN, you will have an opportunity to influence how government officials view community associations and their issues of concern. By exercising your constitutional right to participate in the political process, you will build important relationships with government officials and develop a network of peers that will benefit your community or profession.
How much time will CAAN require?
Naturally, the more time you are able to provide, the more aware and knowledgeable legislators and regulators will be about CAI and community association concerns. CAI only asks that you do your best to provide a letter, phone call or in some instances arrange a personal meeting when asked. The amount of time or involvement you wish to dedicate is completely up to you.
Who should join?
Community association board members, homeowners, professionals and service providers should all participate in CAAN. Membership in CAAN is free to all CAI members as well as residents or employees of CAI member associations, companies and firms.
How do you join?
Take advantage of CAI’s online application. If you have comments or questions, please contact CAI’s Government and Public Affairs Department by phone at (703) 548-8600 or by e-mail at |
The North Carolina Legislative Action Committees (NCLAC) is working for you and tens of thousands of North Carolina households in condominiums and planned communities.