September 4, 2025
In This Issue:
- Texas Legislature: Second Special Session Ends With Passage of TLTA-Supported Seller Impersonation Fraud Offense, No Deal on Property Tax Reform Proposal SB 10
- TDI Compliance Reminder: Agent's TS-1 Due by Sept. 30
- ALTA Amicus in Fidelity Suit Warns Court That FinCEN AML Rule Imposes Burden on Small Business
- TLTA FinCEN Compliance Clinic Sept. 15 - Sign Up Now. Extensive New Residential Reporting Requirements To Be Implemented Dec. 1.
Texas Legislature: Second Special Session Ends With Passage of TLTA-Supported Seller Impersonation Fraud Offense, No Deal on Property Tax Reform Proposal SB 10
ALTA | Sept. 4, 2025
The 89th Texas Legislature's second special session, 89(2), ended yesterday. Congressional redistricting and camp safety were among the bills that passed, but the much debated property tax reform proposal,
SB 10, died after the House and Senate could not reach agreement on the terms for limiting growth of local government property tax collections year over year. We expect to see this issue revived in a future session.
Among the bills approved by lawmakers before the contentious special session concluded is
SB 16, which was expanded to 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. We extend our industry's sincerest gratitude to SB 16's author, Sen. West, along with his senate coauthors and the bill's House sponsors, including Rep. Dyson. Their leadership on this important new criminal statute that TLTA advocated for will encourage prosecution of seller impersonation fraud and ultimately help stop this growing threat.
SB 16 is currently on Gov. Abbott's desk for his signature or veto.
Compliance Reminder: Agent's TS-1 Due by Sept. 30
TLTA | Sept. 1, 2025
Form T-S1, Title Agent's Unencumbered Assets Certification, must be submitted annually to TDI between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30 of each year.
Please submit your TS-1 by Monday, Sept. 30 to
[email protected]
ALTA Amicus in Fidelity Suit Warns Court That FinCEN AML Rule Imposes Burden on Small Business
TLTA | Aug. 19, 2025
ALTA filed an
amicus brief on Sept. 2 supporting Fidelity National Financials'
motion for summary judgment in its challenge to FinCEN's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rule for residential real estate transactions. In the brief, ALTA argues the rule will impose crippling compliance costs on small title companies, while offering only speculative law enforcement benefits. The rule is set to go into effect Dec. 1.
Read more »
TLTA Editor's Note: Learn more about Fidelity's lawsuit here.
TLTA FinCEN Compliance Clinic Sept. 15 - Sign Up Now. Extensive New Residential Reporting Requirements To Be Implemented Dec. 1.
TLTA | Sept. 3, 2025
The clock is ticking! Less than 3 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 »