JUNE 26, 2025

In This Issue:

  • Reduction of Title Insurance Basic Premium Rate Will Not Go Into Effect July 1
  • Legislative Update: Gov. Abbott Announces Special Session to Commence July 21. Deed Fraud Bill Impacting Title Industry Included On Special Session Agenda.
  • REMINDER: FinCEN requests comments by July 7 on next steps implementing new residential reporting rule scheduled to go into effect Dec. 1

Reduction of Title Insurance Basic Premium Rate Will Not Go Into Effect July 1

TLTA | June, 26 2025

Texas Department of Insurance recently announced that the reduction in title rates ordered earlier this year will not go into effect July 1. You can read TDI's announcement here.

A subsequent decision by the 15th Court of Appeals further affirms that the temporary injunction ordered by the Travis County District Court will stand while the appeals court deliberations continue. 

The history of TDI’s rate review, the subsequent rate reduction order, and TLTA's suit requesting the injunction can be found here.

Legislative Update: Gov. Abbott Announces Special Session to Commence July 21. Deed Fraud Bill Impacting Title Industry Included On Special Session Agenda.

TLTA | June 26, 2025

At the conclusion of the 89th Session veto period earlier this week, Gov. Abbott announced that he's calling lawmakers back for a special session to address several bills that he vetoed. You can read his announcement and review the issues that will be included on the special session agenda here. Note: The governor can expand the special session agenda at any time.

Among the bills on the initial special session agenda is SB 648, a deed fraud bill supported by the county clerks association and passed by lawmakers during the 89th session. TLTA's advocacy team worked with legislators and the clerks to improve this bill prior to passage, and we are ready to continue that work during the special session. Additionally, we will be working with the governor’s office and Sen. West to seek expansion of the call and bills to include a special criminal statute on seller impersonation and deed fraud. You can read the governor's veto statement on SB 648 here (scroll to page 17 of 34).

The following bills on TLTA's affirmative legislative agenda were signed by Gov. Abbott before the veto period concluded. The county clerk recording fee bill is effective immediately, and the others will go into effect Sept. 1

Memorandum of Contract 
HB 4063
Rep. Ordaz 
Signed by the Governor; Effective Sept. 1

Deed Fraud Self Help 
SB 1734
Sen. West
Signed by Governor; Effective Sept. 1

County Clerk Recording Fee
SB 1547
Sen. Zaffirini
Signed by the Governor; Effective immediately

REMINDER: FinCEN requests comments by July 7 on next steps implementing new residential reporting rule scheduled to go into effect Dec. 1

U.S. Treasury | June 5, 2025

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, on behalf of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), will submit the Real Estate Report (RER) information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), on or after the date of publication of this notice. The details included in the information collection are listed in the notice.

The Residential Real Estate Rule, which will be effective on December 1, 2025, requires select real estate professionals to submit reports and keep records about certain high-risk, non-financed transfers of residential real property to specified legal entities and trusts. This data will support the U.S. Department of the Treasury, law enforcement, and national security agencies in addressing illicit finance vulnerabilities in the U.S. residential real estate sector. It will also help curtail bad actors’ ability to use American residential real estate as a tool to anonymously launder and store illicit funds, which distorts housing prices and threatens U.S. economic and national security.

The public is invited to submit comments on this information collection request on or before July 7, 2025.

Review notice in the federal register »

The following companies have made the All In For Your TLTAPAC Commitment: San Jacinto Title Services of Texas, LLC First Community Title LLC Texas National Title Truly Title, Inc. Republic Title of Texas, Inc. Valley Land Title Co. Freedom Title Platinum Title Partners, LLC Providence Title Company Town Square Title Company, LLC Agents National Title Insurance Company. Click here to learn more: