Brown Signs Bills Affecting Home Loan Modifications, HOAs, High School Football

Californians who’ve had some of their mortgage debt forgiven, play high school football or live in homeowners associations might want to take note of bills signed Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Let’s say you own a home that’s under water, and negotiate with your lender to reduce your debt. That loan modification doesn’t put any extra money in your pocket – but it was still considered taxable income by the state of California in 2013. The bill just signed by Governor Brown extends the tax relief under federal law to the state.

Maybe that home is part of a homeowners association, with a requirement to keep your front yard in good shape. A newly-signed bill bans HOAs from fining members who don’t water their lawns during a drought.

And maybe your child plays middle or high school football. If so, a new law only allows full-contact practices during the season – and even then, just two days a week. It also requires student-athletes who sustain concussions to wait at least seven days before returning to action.

In all, the governor signed 24 bills Monday and vetoed one. Among the other measures signed: a law that will allow college students taking beer or wine courses to taste what they’re learning about – even if they’re under 21.