March 21, 2025
In This Issue:
- ACTION REQUIRED: TDI Issues Call for 2024 Agent Statistical Data
- Texas Legislature 89th Session Update: Title Insurance Rate Study Legislation Filed Friday
- Pulte Confirmed FHFA Director, Makes Changes to Boards of GSEs
- CISA, FBI Release Cybersecurity Advisory on Medusa Ransomware
ACTION REQUIRED: TDI Issues Call for 2024 Agent Statistical Data
TLTA | March 14, 2025
On March 14, the Texas Department of Insurance issued a call for 2024 agent statistical data to each agency in Texas in accordance with Texas Insurance Code §2703.153, which requires each title insurance company and title insurance agent engaged in the business of title insurance in Texas to annually submit certain data to TDI. TDI uses this data to set title insurance premium rates.
Please note that this call is for data collected during calendar year 2024. You must respond to this data call using the provided instructions and forms no later than April 8, 2025. TDI has stated that no extensions will be granted for this data call.
Review TDI's call, forms and instructions »
Important information and resources from TLTA to help you comply »
Texas Legislature 89th Session Update: Title Insurance Rate Study Legislation Filed Friday
TLTA | March 19, 2025
The 89th Session's bill filing deadline was Friday, March 14. Among the bills filed on the last day were companion bills in the House and the Senate that would require the Texas Department of Insurance to conduct a study of the Texas title insurance rate setting system, comparing our prices to other states, and making recommendations regarding opportunities to improve our system based on the findings of that study. Look for further analysis and updates on this legislation in the near future, but we wanted to make sure that all of you tracking bills this session include this important legislation on your list:
Senate Bill 2700 by Sen. Hall, and
House Bill 5198 by Rep. Dean.
Also, since our last report, Sen. Hughes filed SB 2861, the TDI negotiated rulemaking bill we're working to pass this session. Negotiated rulemaking rules would provide for a more collaborative and efficient process for setting rates. Sen. Hughes' SB 2861 is a duplicate of the bill filed by Sen. Parker.
Sen. Zaffirinni's County Clerk Recording Fee bill was heard in the Senate Local Government Committee last week. TLTA Vice President of Government Relations and Counsel Aaron Day was called to be a resource witness, but there were no questions from the committee members, leading the chairman to note, "looks like this bill's in good shape." Yesterday the committee approved the bill without amendments, sending the bill to the full Senate.
Nearly 9,000 bills had been filed for the 89th Legislative Session. Fewer than 74 days remain in the Texas Legislature's 89th Session.
TLTA’s affirmative legislative agenda for the 89th Session
TLTA's advocacy team is supporting passage of the following bills during the 89th Legislative Session. These statutory changes would improve real estate transactions statewide:
Memorandum of Contract - HB 4063 (Ordaz)
HB 4063 »
Review TLTA's one-pager on this legislation »
Negotiated Rulemaking Implementation - SB 2433 (Parker), SB 2861 (Hughes)
SB 2433 »
SB 2861 »
Deed Fraud Self Help - SB 1734 (West) and HB 4531 (Bhojani)
SB 1734 »
HB 4531 »
Review TLTA's one-pager on this legislation »
Statistical Report Deadlines - SB 1810 (Schwertner) and HB 3502 (Rep. King) Note: Amended language expected pending stakeholder input.
SB 1810 »
HB 3502 »
Review TLTA's one-pager on this legislation »
County Clerk Recording Fee - SB 1547 (Zaffirini) and HB 3733 (Orr)
SB 1547 »
HB 3733 »
Review TLTA’s one-pager on this legislation »
These affirmative legislative agenda items were approved by
TLTA's Board of Directors as recommended by our
Legislative Committee, which is chaired by Steve Streiff. These statutory changes would improve real estate transactions statewide.
Legislation TLTA's Advocacy Team Is Tracking
Bills related to adverse possession, land use, HOA's and more have been filed by lawmakers.
Review the 89th Session Bills of Interest your TLTA Advocacy Team is tracking this session.
Questions About TLTA's Legislative Process?
TLTA's Legislative Committee, Local Legislative Liaisons, our industry's grassroots network and the TLTA PAC Board of Governors are all part of TLTA's team of engaged legislative advocates.
Learn More About TLTA's Legislative Process and How You Can Get Involved »
Pulte Confirmed FHFA Director, Makes Changes to Boards of GSEs
HousingWire | March 17, 2025
Not wasting any time following his Senate confirmation last week, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte made a series of major changes to the boards of government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Read More »
CISA, FBI Release Cybersecurity Advisory on Medusa Ransomware
CISA | March 12, 2025
CISA—in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)—released joint Cybersecurity Advisory, #StopRansomware: Medusa Ransomware. This advisory provides tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), indicators of compromise (IOCs), and detection methods associated with known Medusa ransomware activity.
Read more »