April 7, 2021
One of two bills on TLTA's
affirmative legislative agenda for the Texas Legislature's 87th Session,
HB 3115 by Rep. Shine, was heard during a Texas House Business and Industry Committee hearing yesterday. Steve Streiff, chair of
TLTA's Legislative Committee, was on hand to testify in favor of HB 3115, which we are referring to as our
Homestead Certainty bill.
Also heard at yesterday's hearing was
HB 1679, which provides that a mechanic’s lien can survive a foreclosure up to the retainage amount. TLTA's Board of Directors adopted a neutral position on this bill earlier in the legislative session.
While all bills considered at yesterday's House Business and Industry Committee hearing were left pending, including our Homestead Certainty bill, Chairman Turner indicated that the committee would meet again later this week to vote out pending legislation.
HB 2825 by Rep. Bonnen was heard today in the House Defense and Veteran's Affairs committee. TLTA's Board of Directors adopted an oppose position to the bill as filed, which would require title companies to keep current information on zoning status of properties within 25 miles of military installations in Texas, check buyer's names and company ownership against a designated list, and inform the seller that a buyer's name or company matches this list of a "scrutinized company" or otherwise flagged individuals. This would represent a departure from the neutral third-party status of title professionals and would create enormous costs for the industry. TLTA Board of Directors and Legislative Committee member Claire Harman testified on behalf of TLTA. Her testimony was well received, and the bill's author was open to TLTA's feedback on alternative and more efficient approaches to the bill's goal.
In addition to the affirmative legislative agenda items on which we are working, our legislative team is monitoring 151 of the more than 7,000 bills filed this session. Review a list and description of the
proposed pieces of legislation we are monitoring. If these bills begin to move through the process and TLTA takes official positions on them, we’ll provide more detailed information about our stance and how they might affect you and your business.
Only 53 days remain in the 87th Legislative Session, but special sessions are expected due to redistricting and other issues.