August 14, 2025
In This Issue:
- NEW: Texas Legislature 89th Regular Session Bill Report From TLTA's Advocacy Team - Industry Strengthened and Protected During Challenging Regular Session That Adjourned in June
- Special Session Update: Quorum Break, Special Session 2, "Colony Ridge Bill" Filed
- ICYMI: TDI Publishes 2024 Agent Experience Report
- Discussion of Fannie, Freddie IPO Continues
- Compliance Changes Coming Dec. 1—Get the Tools You Need Now
NEW: Texas Legislature 89th Regular Session Bill Report From TLTA's Advocacy Team - Industry Strengthened and Protected During Challenging Regular Session That Adjourned in June
TLTA | Aug. 14, 2025
During the Texas Legislature’s recently concluded 89th Regular Session, TLTA volunteers worked in concert with TLTA staff and our lobby team under the direction of
TLTA’s Board of Directors and
Legislative Committee to pursue the fulfillment of our legislative priorities, work with industry allies on broader legislative issues that could impact the real estate marketplace, and monitor all legislation filed during the legislative session.
We are excited to report we successfully passed three out of five bills on our affirmative agenda this session, worked with bill authors to improve bills that were problematic, and worked with our legislative partners to stop bad bills from becoming law.
The following new report is an accounting of some bills and issues from the recently concluded regular legislative session of which you should be aware:
Read TLTA's 89th Regular Session Bill Report »
Special Session Update: Quorum Break, Special Session 2, "Colony Ridge Bill" Filed
TLTA | Aug. 14, 2025
As reported in last week's Dateline, Texas House Democrats left the state to delay consideration of identical House and Senate proposals to redraw the state's congressional lines. The quorum break continued this week, and while the Senate continues to pass bills and some House committees continue to meet, nothing can be passed without House approval.
Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick and Speaker Burrows all made separate statements this week communicating the following: if the House is not able to establish a quorum by Friday, the special session will be adjourned Sine Die and a second special session will be called immediately.
Whether or not the House makes quorum on Friday, TLTA's Advocacy Team will continue communicating with lawmakers about the property tax and deed fraud bills in circulation at the Capitol. The Governor has the power to call lawmakers back into special session indefinitely (and he has said he will do such), so we expect to see additional movement on these bills of interest to our industry now or in subsequent special session(s).
"Colony Ridge Bill" Filed in Both Chambers
HB 285 (by Rep. Holt) and
SB 73 (by Sen. Middleton) were filed recently during the special session. This bill would require that, starting January 1, 2026, any deed or similar instrument conveying real property be accompanied by a confidential “notice of real property title transfer” form prescribed by the Commissioner of the General Land Office. This form must include extensive personal information for both the grantor and grantee, including full legal name, mailing address, telephone number, Social Security number or taxpayer identification number, and citizenship status (i.e., U.S. citizen, lawfully present, or unlawfully present), along with property details, lienholder information, purchase price, and signatures under oath. The notice would be kept separate from public property records and disclosed only to state agencies for governmental purposes.
This bill was also filed during the regular session that concluded in June, and we understood it to be a legislative attempt to address the controversial Colony Ridge development.
We expect these bills to be refiled for the second special session. However, this issue is not currently part of the anticipated call that the governor will issue defining the issues eligible for consideration during the second special session.
ICYMI: TLTA Legislative Chair Rodney Anderson Testifies on Senate Bill 15
Among the issues on the special session 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 15.
SB 15 was heard in the Senate's Business and Commerce Committee recently, and TLTA Legislative Committee Chair Rodney Anderson testified in support of the revised bill. Watch Rodney's testimony by clicking the image below:
Watch TLTA Legislative Chair Rodney Anderson testify on SB 15 by clicking the image above
ICYMI: TDI Publishes 2024 Agent Experience Report
TLTA | Aug. 7, 2025
The Texas Department of Insurance published 2024 statistical data for title agents.
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 2024 Title Agent Experience Report »
This Report Is Also Available as a Downloadable Excel File »
Looking for older experience reports? You
can find them here.
Discussion of Fannie, Freddie IPO Continues
TLTA | Aug. 14, 2025
There's been increased discussion in recent weeks from the White House and other sources revisiting the prospect of ending Fannie Freddie conservatorship. Here are a couple of the latest clips worth reviewing and being aware of:
President Trump suggests "MAGA" stock listing for mortgage giants Fannie, Freddie »
Bill Ackman Calls for Fannie-Freddie Merger as President Trump Teases IPO »
Compliance Clinic: New FinCEN Reporting Requirements Starts Dec. 1—Get the Tools You Need Now
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 »