March 5, 2026

In This Issue:

  • TDI Publishes Quarterly Audit Results (Sept. – Nov. 2025)
  • 2026 Texas Primary Election Updates
  • ALTA: FinCEN’s Real Estate Reporting Rule Survives Two Court Challenges; New Lawsuit Seeks to Upend It
  • ICYMI: TDI issues call for 2025 Title Agent Statistical Data. Reports due by May 1.

TDI Publishes Quarterly Audit Results (Sept. – Nov. 2025)

TLTA | March 5, 2026

The following is a summary of recent TDI audits, violations and enforcement actions from September through November 2025.

Below are TDI's most common audit findings for the quarter:
  • Section 2702.053 – Actual receipts and/or disbursements not in agreement with settlement statement or premium split not disclosed. (Statutes and Administrative Rules)
  • P-21: Schedule D of commitment not in file or premium split not disclosed on commitment. (Procedural Rules)
  • P-73: Failure to prepare/maintain Form T-64 (TD) when CD used, or Form T64 was not signed by all parties. Prepared incorrectly. (Procedural Rules)
  • #16 - Every disbursement not supported by invoice or sufficient other evidence. (Minimum Escrow Accounting Procedures and Internal Controls)
  • Outstanding checks not cleared timely (Escrow Accounting)

Read complete summary of TDI's findings for the quarter »

2026 Texas Primary Election Updates

TLTA | March 5, 2026

Below are some results from the recent primary elections. Several of the races for statewide offices have now advanced into runoff elections. Same with some races in the House.

After the primary runoffs conclude in late May, winning primary candidates will move on to face general election opponents in November. Some primary election winners have no general election opponent, so they have effectively won their seats already. 

TLTA's Advocacy Team, including the community of title professionals who support TLTAPAC, remain engaged in many of these races and are monitoring election outcomes closely to ensure our industry will be ready when the next legislative session begins Jan. 2027.

The results listed below are not meant to be a complete accounting of all primary election results (only some key races related to the Texas Legislature). You can find all primary election results here. 

Texas House incumbent losses
HD 3 (R) Kristen Plaisance 55% defeated Rep. Cecil Bell

HD 85 (R) Dennis Geesaman 57% defeated Rep. Kitzman

HD 101 (D) Junior Ezeonu 53% defeated Rep. Turner

Statewide Republican Runoffs
US Senate – John Cornyn v Ken Paxton

Attorney General – Mayes Middleton v Chip Roy

Railroad Commissioner – Jim Wright v Bo French

Statewide Democratic Runoffs
Attorney General – Nathan Johnson v Joe Jaworski

Lieutenant Governor – Vikki Goodwin v Marcos Velez

Runoff elections ahead for Texas House
HD 37 (D) Ozzie Ochoa, Jr. 46% v Esmi Cantu-Castle 32% (winner faces Rep. Lopez 52% R)

HD 41(D) Seby Haddad 39% v Julio Salinas – 37% (Guerra seat)

HD 49 (D) Montserrat Garibay 33% v Kathie Tovo 28% (Hinojosa seat)

HD 125 (D) Michelle Vela 34% v Adrian Reyna – 39% (Lopez seat)

HD 126 (R) Stan Stanart  49% v Kelly Peterson  29% (Harless seat)

HD 131 (D) Staci Childs 46% v Lawrence Allen 28% (Allen Seat)

HD 149 (D) Rep. Hubert Vo 31% v Darlene Breaux – 42% (Vo seat)

ALTA: FinCEN’s Real Estate Reporting Rule Survives Two Court Challenges; New Lawsuit Seeks to Upend It

ALTA | March 3, 2026

In the latest round of litigation over FinCEN’s Real Estate Reporting Rule, two federal courts recently rejected legal challenges to the rule’s validity, while a third lawsuit has now been filed seeking to block or vacate the regulation.

Read ALTA's complete update on legal challenges to new FinCEN reporting requirements »

TLTA Editor's Note: The new FinCEN reporting requirements for certain all-cash residential real estate transactions is effective nationwide as of March 1. Learn more. 

There has been no district court opinion in the still active case brought by Flowers Title Companies LLC.

ICYMI: TDI issues call for 2025 Title Agent Statistical Data. Reports due by May 1.

TLTA | Feb. 26, 2026

TDI has adopted a new rule establishing set timelines for collecting statistical data annually. This year’s data collection will be the first year under this new rule.

TDI has issued the call for 2025 Agent Statistical Data. The instructions and forms can be found here. Reports are due by May 1. 

Looking for help preparing your agent statistical report?

TLTA has produced a new, updated webinar to help agents prepared their statistical reports for TDI, which is due by May 1.

Webinar: 2025 TDI Agent Statistical Report: What You Need to Know Before May 1
March 24, 2026, 10:00 - 11:40 a.m. CST
Presenter: Ann Garza, Benchmark Title

Learn more and register now »