March 14, 2024
In This Issue:
- ICYMI: White House Announces Pilot Project to Waive Requirement for Lenders' Title Insurance on Certain Refinances
- Update: Primary Election Results - Texas Legislature
ICYMI: White House Announces Pilot Project to Waive Requirement for Lenders' Title Insurance on Certain Refinances
TLTA | March 8, 2024
In addition to official statements issued on Thursday, March 7, President Biden addressed the pilot project during his State of the Union speech:
"And my administration is also eliminating title insurance on federally backed mortgages. When you refinance your home, you can save $1,000 or more as a consequence."
Information from White House on Pilot Project
Read more in White House Fact Sheet »
Statement from FHFA Director Thompson
Read more of Director Thompson's statement »
Statement from ALTA
Read more of ALTA's statement »
TLTA Actively Engaged in Opposing This Policy Shift and Will Keep You Updated
"We maintain our opposition to this pilot program and any other program that undermines the importance of title insurance in all real estate and mortgage transactions," said Rodney Anderson, President of Texas Land Title Association. "We will be actively engaged in the effort to educate lawmakers and regulatory officials about the value of title insurance, the misinformation surrounding the touted benefits of this pilot project, and our strong opposition to this latest policy change which will negatively affect consumers and homebuyers, adding risk to their transactions without the purported cost savings."
If you have questions, please send them to
Aaron Day or call Aaron at 512.810.8800, thank you.
Update: Primary Election Results - Texas Legislature
TLTA | March 14, 2024
The primary election was held last week. While the general election will not be held until November, the winners of most of the races below are likely to be the sitting officials when the 89th Texas Legislature convenes January 2025.
The outcomes of last week's election will impact our industry's work in the Texas Legislature. Details below:
9 Texas House incumbents defeated last week. The victors of those contests are likely to be in the Texas Legislature for 89th session in January 2025
HD 2
Rep. Jill Dutton (HD 2) defeated by Brent Money.
Learn more about Money.
HD 11
Rep. Travis Clardy (HD 11) defeated by Joanne Shofner.
Learn more about Shofner.
HD 18
Rep. Ernest Bailes (HD 18) defeated by Janis Holt.
Learn more about Holt.
HD 26
Rep. Jacey Jetton (HD 26) defeated by Matt Morgan.
Learn more about Morgan.
HD 55
Rep. Hugh Shine (HD 55) defeated by Hillary Hickland.
Learn more about Hickland.
HD 60
Rep. Glenn Rogers (HD 60) defeated by Mike Olcott.
Learn more about Olcott.
HD 62
Rep. Reggie Smith (HD 62) defated by Shelly Luther.
Learn more about Luther.
HD 65
Rep. Kronda Thimesch (HD 65) defeated by Mitch Little.
Learn more about Little.
HD 121
Rep. Steve Allison (HD 121) defeated by Marc LaHood.
Learn more about LaHood.
Incumbent House members headed to runoff, including Speaker Phelan
Rep. Gary VanDeaver (HD 1) finished first with 45.53%
Speaker Dade Phelan (HD 21) finished second with 43.24%
Rep. Justin Holland (HD 33) finished second with 38.79%
Rep. John Kuempel (HD 44) finished second with 45.04%
Rep. DeWayne Burns (HD 58) finished second with 41.21%
Rep. Frederick Frazier (HD 61) finished second with 32.09%
Rep. Lynn Stucky (HD 64) finished second with 43.29%
Rep. Stephanie Klick (HD 91) finished first with 48.09%
Rep. Shawn Thierry (HD 146) finished second with 44.73%
Texas Senate
Senate District 15 headed to a run-off between Rep. Jarvis Johnson and Molly Cook in the Democratic primary. This is the seat formerly held by Sen. Whitmire.
Hagenbuch and Yarbrough are headed to a runoff in the Senate District 30 Republican primary. This is the seat formerly held by Sen. Springer.
Sen. Nathan Johnson defeated Rep. Victoria Neave Criado in Senate District 16.
Rep. Criado gave up her House seat to challenge Sen. Johnson. There is no Republican candidate running in general election.