October 30, 2025
In This Issue:
- TLTA President Gil Ernst Met With Gov. Abbott
- ALTA's 2025 FinCEN Compliance Survey
- Service Details: Longtime Industry Lobbyist Randy Lee
- Early Voting Continues Through Friday for Nov. 4 Election. Ballot Includes Constitutional Amendments Related to Property Taxes.
- Compliance Reminder: Guaranty Fee Reports Due Nov. 1 - Failure to Submit Could Lead to TDI Enforcement
TLTA President Gil Ernst Met With Gov. Abbott
TLTA | Oct. 30, 2025
TLTA President Gil Ernst, CEO Leslie Midgley and Vice President of Government Relations and Counsel Aaron Day met with Gov. Abbott this week to provide TLTAPAC support and thank the governor for his appreciation of our industry and the continued success of the Texas real estate market. Among the thanks we shared with Gov. Abbott is our gratitude for his decision to make title industry professionals essential workers during quarantine, his signature on the Deed Fraud bill we supported that passed this session, and his continued focus on helping us protect Texans property rights.
From left to right: TLTA President Gil Ernst, Gov. Abbott, TLTA CEO Leslie Midgley
ALTA's 2025 FinCEN Compliance Survey
TLTA | Oct. 30, 2025
Next week, ALTA is launching the 2025 FinCEN Compliance Survey to help raise awareness with federal policymakers about the time, money, and personnel required to comply with new and existing FinCEN requirements. While ALTA's official rollout of this survey is not until next week, they've made the survey live now to help Texas title professionals share their input. Please take a few moments to answer these questions and forward the survey to a colleague.
Complete ALTA's 2025 FinCEN Survey »
Memorial Details: Longtime Industry Lobbyist Randy Lee
TLTA | Oct. 24, 2025
We are saddened to share the news that industry stalwart Randy Lee passed away last week. He served for many years as a dedicated lobbyist and trusted advocate for the title industry.
Services will be held at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor, Texas, on November 1 at 10:30 a.m., with a viewing on October 31 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. He will be interred next to his family at Cook-Walden Capital Parks in Pflugerville, Texas.
Randy's obituary and information on memorial giving in his honor »
Reflecting on Randy's life and service, TLTA CEO Leslie Midgley said, “Randy was a passionate and devoted advocate for our industry and a longtime cherished friend to so many of us. He had a heart as big as his beloved Texas and approached life and work with equal fervor. Above all, he loved his family, and our hearts are with them at this terribly sad time. Godspeed, Randy, and thank you for the impact you made and the passion you brought to every endeavor.”
We keep in our thoughts and hearts all of Randy’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
Early Voting Continues Through Friday for Nov. 4 Election. Ballot Includes Constitutional Amendments Related to Property Taxes.
TLTA | Oct. 23, 2025
Early voting for the Nov. 4 election will continue through Oct. 31.
Seventeen proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution are on the ballot. These propositions were approved by lawmakers during the legislative sessions held earlier this year, but Texas voters have final say in the amendments' adoption.
Property Tax-related Amendments on the Ballot
Proposition 13 would increase the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000.
Proposition 11 would increase the homestead exemption for people over 65 and disabled Texans to $200,000.
Proposition 9 would boost the business personal property tax exemption for businesses' equipment and inventory from $25,000 to $125,000.
Other proposition on the ballot include property tax reductions for the surviving spouses of veterans, for owners whose homes are destroyed by fire, and for property owners whose land is used for border security infrastructure.
You can review all of the constitutional amendments on the ballot in this
resource from Texas Legislative Council.
Special Election for Texas Senate District 9
Voters in Fort Worth will also decide who fill Senate District 9 formerly served by now-Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock. The winner of this special election will serve for the remainder of Hancock’s term, then run for the seat again in the 2026 primaries.
Where and when to vote can be found on the
Texas Secretary of State's site.
Compliance Reminder: Guaranty Fee Reports Due Nov. 1 - Failure to Submit Could Lead to TDI Enforcement
TLTA | Oct. 16, 2025
Guaranty Fee reports for the third quarter of 2025 are due to TTIGA Nov. 1. Failure to submit reports could result in enforcement action from TDI.
Remittance Forms and Other Guaranty Fee Info »