January 8, 2026
In This Issue:
- TDI Announces Commissioner Brown Retiring. Gov. Abbott Appoints Crawford to Replace Her Beginning Feb. 2
- New USPS Rule Changes Postmark Process, Which May Impact Determination of When Taxes Are Considered Paid, When Notice Is Deemed Given Under a Contract
- TLTA Works With TREC's Broker-Lawyer Committee As They Consider Standard Contract Change Related to New FinCEN Reporting Rule That Is Scheduled To Be Effective in Less Than 60 Days.
- Texas Realtors: What You Can Do to Prevent Deed and Seller Fraud (Article Written by TLTA Regulatory Committee Chair Roland Love)
TDI Announces Commissioner Brown Retiring. Gov. Abbott Appoints Crawford to Replace Her Beginning Feb. 2
TLTA | Jan. 8, 2026
After more than four years of leading the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), Commissioner Cassie Brown will retire on Feb. 2, 2026. We thank Commissioner Brown for her service to the State of Texas and wish her well in her future endeavors.
Learn More About Commissioner Brown's Retirement »
Gov. Abbott announced that Amanda Crawford will serve as the new commissioner of TDI beginning Feb. 2. Crawford is currently executive director of the Department of Information Resources and the State of Texas’ Chief Information Officer. We welcome incoming Commissioner Crawford and look forward to working with her on behalf of the Texas consumers we all serve.
Read More About Incoming Commissioner Crawford »
New USPS Rule Changes Postmark Process, Which May Impact Determination of When Taxes Are Considered Paid, When Notice Is Deemed Given Under a Contract
TLTA | Jan. 8, 2026
A
new USPS rule effective Dec. 24, 2025 changes the postmark process and may impact the determination of when taxes are considered paid or when notice is deemed given under a contract, as well as other deadlines that rely on a postmark date for a presumption of timeliness. Previously, it was the practice and understanding of the public that a postmark would be placed on the letter or parcel the day it was picked up by the USPS or deposited in a USPS mailbox. However, according to the new rule in effect, mail is now stamped as of the date of processing, not deposit.
According to USPS, because most postmarks are applied at processing facilities, they do not necessarily represent either the place at which, or the date on which, the Postal Service first accepted possession of the mailpiece. Due to this, the date inscribed by a postmark applied at a processing facility may be later than the date that the mailpiece was first accepted by the Postal Service.
The USPS advises customers to
request a postmark at a retail location if they want to ensure that their mailpiece receives a postmark containing a date that aligns with the date of deposit. They advise further that, “Customers who wish to retain a record or proof of the date on which the Postal Service first accepted possession of their mailpiece(s) may purchase a Certificate of Mailing.”
Review Full Text of the New Adopted Rule In the Federal Register »
TLTA Working With TREC's Broker-Lawyer Committee As They Consider Standard Contract Change Related to New FinCEN Reporting Rule That Is Scheduled To Be Effective in Less Than 60 Days.
Register for TLTA's Compliance Clinic Today to Stay Ahead of These New Requirements for Settlement Agents
TLTA | Jan. 8, 2026
TLTA's Vice President of Government Relations and Counsel Aaron Day attended today's meeting of the Texas Real Estate Commission Broker-Lawyer Committee to discuss the commission's proposed changes to TREC's Standard Contract related to new FinCEN reporting rules for settlement agents (learn more about the new FinCEN rules to be implemented March 1 here).
TLTA had previously
submitted a letter to the TREC committee when their deliberations on this change began. Since that first letter,
TLTA proposed additional language changes, which were discussed in today's meeting.
TLTA Offering New Compliance Clinic to Help Title Industry Prepare for These New Reporting Requirements
FinCEN Real Estate Reporting Rule: Final Prep Before March 1 Effective Date
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
CE: 2 hours Escrow/MCLE
FinCEN Recently Published Guidance on New Reporting Rule
FinCEN recently published the following new guidance on the upcoming reporting requirements for certain all-cash residential real estate transactions:
Quick reference guides containing general information about reporting requirements
Instructions on how to complete the report
Technical guidance for batch XML filers
Testing environment for reporting, where filers can test their submission capabilities
Texas Realtors: What You Can Do to Prevent Deed and Seller Fraud (Article Written by TLTA Regulatory Committee Chair Roland Love)
Texas Realtors | Dec. 3, 2025
Deed and seller fraud might never happen to you. But unless you take steps to avoid these scams, you’re increasing your risk of facing huge hassles, losing big chunks of your time, incurring significant costs, and even being hit with disciplinary action. Your attention to these risks also could save your clients from harmful consequences.
Title companies are doing more to detect and prevent fraud of all kinds, including seller impersonation fraud and deed fraud (also called title theft). The Texas Legislature recently passed helpful measures to curtail deed fraud, too, but real estate agents also play a crucial role. It truly requires an entire team effort to stop this growing crime.
Read More »