TLTA Legislative Report
The 78^th regular legislative session ended on June 2 and the TLTA lobby team did an excellent job representing industry interests. For more details and analysis about the bills that affect the title industry, click here for the 2003 Legislative Report.

New Lubbock congressman
has real estate ties
Lubbock Republican, Randy Neugebauer, won the run-off race to replace retiring Congressman Larry Combest. Neugebauer, a land developer and former Lubbock City Council member, has strong ties to the real estate industry. We congratulate Congressman Neugebauer on his win and look forward to working with him on issues affecting the title insurance industry.

RESPA, RESPA and
MORE RESPA
We keep bringing you more and more articles, seminars, and information about RESPA but please don't lose interest now – this issue is just heating up. In this Dateline Austin, we will be updating you on three different RESPA issues. Full story

Alleged violations of Section 8 of RESPA continue
HUD's decision to beef up its enforcement division continues to affect title companies in Texas. On May 13, 2003, HUD sent out a letter to several title companies in the Austin market warning companies to comply with Section 8 which is the anti-rebate, kickback section of RESPA.  Full story

The new RESPA police - An update on HUD's enforcement division
In May's Dateline Austin, we informed you that HUD officials were planning to beef up its enforcement measures once the office has been fully staffed. Just recently HUD hired 30 new RESPA enforcement staff members and is increasing the number of enforcement actions. Full story

Governor Perry calls Special
Session for June 30^th
The Governor called a special session to address the congressional redistricting issue that failed passage during the regular session due to 51 House democrats leaving the state and denying a quorum. Full story

TLTA committees and task forces begin work on important issues
President Dave Ginger has named a number of committees and task forces to study legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry. Full story

Conference attendees
BACK THE PAC!
Annual conference attendees took advantage of opportunities to raise money for the PAC. The Second Annual Silent Auction netted almost $6,000. Full story

TLTA members tell Congress
"Don't Mess with Texas!"
A group of TLTA members and staff traveled to Washington D. C. for two intense days of educating lawmakers about our concerns with HUD's RESPA reform proposal. Attendees included: Jack Rogers, Jack Rattikin III, Parker Neel, Allen Shindler, Celia Flowers, Jeff Davis, Dawn Moore, Dave Ginger, Leslie Midgley, Mindy Carr and Jim Hyland, TLTA's D.C. lobbyist. Full story

FTC publishes final rule on safeguarding customer information
FTC's final rule on safeguarding customer information affects each and everyone one of us in the title insurance industry. The rules which went into effect on May 23, 2003, requires each financial institution to develop a written information security program that is appropriate to its size and complexity, the nature and scoop of its activities and the sensitivity of the customer information at issue. Full story

Investigation into Freddie Mac's accounting practices continue
Federal regulators have broadened their investigation into the nation's second largest mortgage finance company. They intend to intensify their efforts and find out the extent of the accounting and management troubles at Freddie Mac. Full story