May 1, 2025
In This Issue:
- TDI Quarterly Audit Results Published (Dec. 2024 – Feb. 2025)
- Texas Legislature 89th Session Update
- VIDEO: FHFA Director Bill Pulte on GSEs' Productivity
TDI Quarterly Audit Results Published (Dec. 2024 – Feb. 2025)
TLTA | April 28, 2025
The following is a summary of recent TDI audits, violations and enforcement actions from December 2024 through February 2025.
Read TDI's complete summary of operations for the quarter. Below are TDI's most common audit findings for the quarter:
- Outstanding checks not cleared timely (Escrow Accounting)
- Section 2702.053 – Actual receipts and/or disbursements not in agreement with settlement statement or premium split not disclosed. (Statutes and Administrative Rules)
- #16 - Every disbursement not supported by invoice or sufficient other evidence. (Minimum Escrow Accounting Procedures and Internal Controls)
- P-21: Schedule D of commitment not in file or premium split not disclosed on commitment. (Procedural Rules)
- Title Bulletin No. 160 – All parties receiving portions of real estate commission not disclosed on settlement statement. (Title Bulletins)
Read complete summary for the quarter »
Texas Legislature 89th Session Update
TLTA | May 1, 2025
Less than 31 days remain in the Texas Legislature's 89th Session, and end-of-session deadlines start to kick in May 12.
TLTA's advocacy team continues working to advance the bills on our affirmative legislative agenda. You can see
updates on the status of those bills here.
TLTA testifies on HB 4558 relating to deed fraud
As previously reported, TLTA is supporting passage of a deed fraud self-help bill,
HB 4531. But there are other deed fraud related proposals being debated by the Texas Legislature that our advocacy team is engaged with.
HB 4558 is an example of a deed fraud bill that TLTA is helping improve without supporting its passage. We share our expertise and unique industry perspective with the bill author, other lawmakers, and legislative staff, but we maintain a neutral position regarding the bill's approval and final passage. The bill will create a “trusted filer” path that includes title industry members, whereas those outside of this class of filers may be subject to more scrutiny and questions before their filing is accepted.
Deed fraud is a subject important to many lawmakers, and for this bill and similar measures, we encourage elected officials to include our industry in the discussion so we can help them accomplish their goals without upsetting operations of the real estate market in Texas.
Maintaining a neutral but helpful position is a fine line to walk, and TLTA Vice President of Government Relations and Counsel Aaron Day recently played that role by
testifying on HB 4558 for TLTA when it was heard in committee:
Click image above to watch Aaron's testimony on HB 4558
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 »
HB 5173 »
County Clerk Recording Fee - SB 1547 (Zaffirini) and HB 3733 (Orr)
SB 1547 »
HB 3733 »
Review TLTA’s one-pager on this legislation »
Status of the TLTA Affirmative Agenda Bills Listed Above
You can find the status of the bills listed above here.
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 »
VIDEO: FHFA Director Bill Pulte on GSEs' Productivity
HousingWire | April 30, 2025
Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has been tight-lipped with the media about his plans for the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs). Pulte has used the social media platform X over the past few weeks to post announcements such as leadership changes at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Since taking the helm at the FHFA in March, Pulte has made sweeping changes to the GSEs, such as terminating special purpose credit programs (SPCPs), canceling $6.4 million in “DEI nonsense” and establishing a mortgage fraud tip line.
On Wednesday, Anthony Pompliano, the founder and CEO of Professional Capital Management, posted a video of a “recent conversation” between him and Pulte on X. Pompliano asked Pulte about his plans to lower interest rates and housing costs while increasing government productivity.
Click image below to watch video. Or, read the rest of this article in Housingwire.
