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September 1, 2003
Dear TLTA Member:
TLTA leadership and committees
have literally "hit the ground running" during the month of
August. Although the dog days of summer are still very much with
us as far as the temperature goes, we have had little opportunity
to relax and enjoy these last days of summer. Committee chairs
have many projects and initiatives that are in their initial
stages, and a full agenda is on tap for the fall.
Of interest to all of us in the title
industry is the announcement by The Texas Department of Insurance
to reconvene the 2002 Title Insurance Biennial Hearing. The
Rulemaking Phase of the hearing will begin on September 24 at 9:30
a.m. (For additional information and location of hearings refer to
TLTA
Breaking News,
August 14, 2003). The Rates, Rules and Forms
Committee met on August 21 to finalize our positions on agenda
items. The committee's recommendations will be presented to the
Board in early September for approval prior to the hearing.
Click here
for a current list of agenda items submitted for consideration
during the hearing process.
The Federal Issues Task Force held a conference call
recently to discuss RESPA reform and TLTA's ongoing effort to
oppose the reform proposal. Rumors are flying everywhere, but we
have no firm indication as to when a revised proposal will be
filed. There has been a great deal of press regarding the RESPA
issue, most notably an August 19 Wall Street Journal
article that concluded the entire process is still in flux as HUD
continues to struggle to find a formula that is acceptable to all
concerned. In the meantime, we are continuing to work our
grassroots contacts while Congress is on their in-district
break. In addition we are working to join with other groups in the
real estate industry (surveyors, mortgage brokers, Realtors®,
community bankers) and hope they will be able to participate along
with our members in these in-district meetings. I would like
to personally thank Jack Rogers, Jeff Davis, Larry Townsend and
Allen Shindler for taking time to attend meetings and fundraisers
with their Congressmen.
The roll-out of our Individual Membership Program is off to a
great start. A new Individual Membership brochure has been mailed
to all member company managers and owners requesting their support
and involvement in this important campaign. Individual membership
in TLTA reinforces our efforts to reach out to employees of TLTA
member companies and will provide benefits and information at a
minimal cost for each person. I would like to personally urge each
company owner and manager to offer their assistance as we work to
increase the number of individuals actively involved in the title
industry.
We have an excellent line-up of continuing education opportunities
planned for 2003-2004. The West Texas Regional Seminar will
be held in Lubbock on Sept. 13, 2002 with video simulcast to
Midland and El Paso. The simulcast format was introduced last year
with great success, giving members the opportunity to earn
continuing education credit without having to travel out of town.
Two teleconferences have been scheduled this fall. First,
Unclaimed Property: Reporting Details & Guidelines Discussion
will be offered on Sept. 18, and a Legislative Update: Just the
Facts will be offered on Oct. 2. The Austin Regional
Seminar will be held Oct. 14 & 15. For more information
check the new education calendar on the TLTA Web site, or click
here
http://www.tlta.com/education/default.asp
Renaissance Ho
It's never too early to start planning for the 2004 Annual
Conference and TLTA staff are doing just that. Make a note to join
us for "Smooth Sailing" in Corpus Christi, June 4-6. I look
forward to one of the best conferences in our history, and I urge
you to make plans to attend.
Obviously, this fall will be a very busy one for TLTA. We continue
to devote our time and energy to represent your interests on these
and other issues of concern to you and your business. As always,
if you have comments or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact me
or a TLTA staff member.
Best regards,
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