August 29, 2025
In This Issue:
- Texas Legislature: Deed Fraud Bill Amended to Include TLTA-Supported Seller Impersonation Offense Headed to Gov. Abbott's Desk
- New Laws Effective This Monday Sept. 1
- ICYMI: TDI Published Underwriter Experience Report 2020-2024
- Real Estate Brokers: This Is How SB 1968, TREC’s Housekeeping Bill, Will Impact You
- Compliance Clinic on New FinCEN Residential Reporting Requirements To Be Held via Live Webinar Sept. 15
Texas Legislature: Deed Fraud Bill Amended to Include TLTA-Supported Seller Impersonation Offense Headed to Gov. Abbott's Desk
TLTA | Aug. 28, 2025
Among the issues on the second special session's agenda is a deed fraud bill supported by the county clerks association that was passed by lawmakers during the 89th Regular Session but ultimately vetoed by Gov. Abbott.
TLTA's advocacy team worked with legislators and the clerks to improve that bill prior to passage, and we continue that work during the special session with its new iteration -
Senate Bill 16.
TLTA worked to expand SB 16 into a bill that would create a new specific offense for seller impersonation fraud. In recent years, seller impersonation fraud has plagued the title industry and resulted in claims including full policy loses. TLTA hopes this new criminal statute will encourage prosecution for seller impersonation fraud and ultimately help stop this growing threat.
The Senate concurred with changes made in the House and SB 16 will now go to Gov. Abbott's desk for his signature or veto.
Update: Special Session 2
The 2nd Called Session of the 89th Texas Legislature continues this week. New congressional maps have been approved by the Legislature with the Governor’s endorsement, and a property tax reform measure that would further restrict local governments’ authority to increase property tax collections year-over-year without voter approval is headed to a conference committee.
Texas Legislature: New Laws Effective This Monday Sept. 1
TLTA | Aug. 28, 2025
More than 700 new laws approved by Texas lawmakers earlier this year will be effective beginning this Monday, Sept. 1.
Some of those new laws will impact title industry operations or functions of the real estate market in Texas. Learn more about bills you should
know about here (note: this legislative session report includes relevant bills effective Sept. 1, but it also contains bills that did not pass so you can gather a broader perspective on our industry's work this session).
For a more general collection of new laws that will be effective Sept. 1,
click here for coverage from Texas Tribune.
ICYMI: TDI Published Underwriter Experience Report 2020-2024
TLTA | Aug. 19, 2025
The Texas Department of Insurance published 2020-2024 statistical data for title underwriters.
Texas Insurance Code §2703.153 requires each title insurance company and title insurance agent engaged in the business of title insurance in Texas to annually submit business data to TDI. TDI uses this data to set title insurance premium rates.
Review Title Underwriter Experience Report 2020-2024 »
This Report Is Also Available as a Downloadable Excel File »
Looking for older experience reports? You can
find them here.
In case you missed it, earlier this month TDI published the 2024 Agent Experience Report.
Review 2024 Title Agent Experience Report »
This Report Is Also Available as a Downloadable Excel File »
Real Estate Brokers: This Is How SB 1968, TREC’s Housekeeping Bill, Will Impact You
TREC | July 25, 2025
The Texas Real Estate Broker Responsibility Advisory Committee (BRAC) met on July 16, 2025, for the first time post the regular legislative session. Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) staff briefed committee members on the passage of SB 1968, which among other things requires a new broker responsibility course requirement.
Learn More »
Compliance Clinic on New FinCEN Residential Reporting Requirements To Be Held via Live Webinar Sept. 15
TLTA | July 31, 2025
The clock is ticking! Less than 4 months until FinCEN's new reporting rule takes effect. Are you and your team prepared internally to respond to this significant compliance change? TLTA is hosting a special compliance clinic Sept. 15 to help you prepare for the significant new reporting requirement.
Starting December 1, new federal reporting requirements will significantly impact how title professionals handle certain residential transactions. This isn’t just a policy update, it's a major operational change that requires planning, training, and workflow adjustments.
This advanced, two-hour compliance clinic builds on our popular Conference session, featuring returning expert Leslie S. Johnson, CTIP, now joined by TLTA Regulatory Committee Chair Roland Love, CTIP. Together, they'll answer your questions and help you translate the rule into an actionable internal response.
Register for New Compliance Clinic Now »