April 2, 2026

In This Issue:

  • ALTA Survey: FinCEN Residential Real Estate Rule - Share Your Experience to Help Shape What's Next
  • Compliance Update: TDI Call for 2025 Underwriter Statistical Data - Reports Due June 1
  • TLTA Advocacy Team Working With Industry Partners and Texas Attorney General to Address Proposed New Reporting Rule re: SB 17 Foreign Ownership of Property in Texas
  • Fannie Mae to Accept Crypto-Backed Mortgages for the First Time
  • ICYMI: Texas House Issues Interim Charges, Additional Senate Charges Announced
  • Texas' Population Growth Is Highest in the US Again
  • Housing Affordability News and Updates: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac announce revisions to condo insurance standards

ALTA Survey: FinCEN Residential Real Estate Rule - Share Your Experience to Help Shape What's Next

TLTA | April 2, 2026

We need your help, Texas title professionals. The survey linked below asks for your perspective and input on the FinCEN residential real estate reporting rule that was recently vacated by a federal court. While title agents are not currently required to collect data under the reporting rule that first went into effect March 1, we expect FinCEN to appeal the federal court ruling. Or, they could engage in new rulemaking to resume data collection through some alternate mechanism.
 
Gathering the perspectives of Texas title professionals who tried to comply with this reporting rule while it was in effect will help ALTA and TLTA as we talk with members of Congress about the challenges with the scope of the rule. 
 
Please complete this survey to tell us what problems you encountered so we can best represent you, thank you.

Complete ALTA's Survey »

More information on this FinCEN rule can be found here. TLTA will continue to keep you informed of any developments related to the federal court's ruling. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Aaron Day at [email protected] or 512.472.6593.

Compliance Update: TDI Call for 2025 Underwriter Statistical Data - Reports Due June 1

TLTA | April 1, 2026

On March 31 TDI issued a call for 2025 underwriter statistical data in accordance with Texas Insurance Code §2703.153, which requires each title insurance company and title insurance agent engaged in the business of title insurance in Texas to annually submit certain data to TDI. TDI uses this data to set title insurance premium rates. 

This call is for underwriter income, expense, and policy data collected during calendar year 2025. 

You must respond to this data call using the provided instructions and forms no later than June 1, 2026.

If you have questions contact TDI's Property and Casualty Actuarial Office at 512-676-6693 or [email protected].

TLTA Advocacy Team Working With Industry Partners and Texas Attorney General to Address Proposed New Reporting Rule re: SB 17 Foreign Ownership of Property in Texas

TLTA | April 2, 2026

As reported in last week’s Dateline, the Texas Attorney General’s office has proposed a new reporting rule re: the prohibition of foreign ownership of property. TLTA’s Advocacy Team is working alongside a coalition of our real estate and lending trade association partners to communicate our strong concerns with this proposed rule through written comments and direct contact with the Office of the AG. This rule would potentially place significant responsibility and liabilities on our industry to identify and report certain foreign buyers of real property in Texas.  
 

Background

During the 89th Legislative Session in 2025, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 17, which prohibits people, companies and government-linked entities from China, Iran, North Korea and Russia from acquiring most types of real estate in Texas.The new law went into effect Sept. 1, 2025.

The law also allows for the Governor to add countries or organizations to the list of prohibited affiliations for individuals or entities seeking ownership of property in Texas. Last November, the Governor added two organizations to that list, the Muslim Brotherhood and Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

In last week’s Texas Register, the Texas Attorney General's office posted a proposed rule related to continued implementation of that foreign ownership law. The proposal includes new reporting requirements for a new defined set of entities (“Facilitating Entity”), which includes title companies, and asserts that such entities will have some liability if the entity “knows or should have known” that a given purchaser purchased the property in violation of the statute.

Review the AG's proposed rule »

The passage of SB 17 was the result of a multi-session conversation among Texas lawmakers on how to address the politically volatile topic of foreign ownership of U.S. land.

TLTA's Advocacy Team successfully worked with legislators to include in the new law these title industry protections:

  • No policing by title agents
  • Notice in Real Property Records
  • “Savings Clause” to preserve title

Questions or Comments? We'll continue to keep you updated on developments

TLTA will continue to keep you informed of any developments related to this proposal. If you have questions or comments, please contact Aaron Day at [email protected] or 512.472.6593.

Fannie Mae to Accept Crypto-Backed Mortgages for the First Time

CNBC | March 26, 2026

Fannie Mae will now accept crypto-backed mortgages via a new product by mortgage company Better Home and Finance and Coinbase.

It’s not the first crypto backed mortgage, but it is the first accepted by Fannie Mae, which is under government conservatorship. The offering allows homebuyers to use their crypto assets as collateral. Fannie Mae will purchase those loans just like any other conforming mortgage.

Read more »

ICYMI: Texas House Issues Interim Charges, Additional Senate Charges Announced

TLTA | March 26, 2026

Texas House Interim Charges

The Texas House published their interim charges recently. House committees will now work to answer questions and study issues identified in the charges over the next 9 months before the 90th Session commences in January 2027. House committees will produce reports based on their study of these charges, including recommendations on policy changes. Recommendations made by committees during the interim process often become legislation filed during the session.

Review the House's interim charges »

Additional Senate Charges Announced

Lt. Gov. Patrick issued a second round of interim charges for the Texas Senate. Committee recommendations produced in response to these interim charges could spur legislation during upcoming 90th Session.

Read the Lt. Gov's press release »
Review Senate interim charges issued today »
Read the Lt. Gov.'s press release for the charges issued in January »
Review Senate interim charges issued in January »

What's Next?

Your TLTA Advocacy Team are studying these charges and have continued dialogue with legislators and leadership to ensure we're providing the information they need as they consider issues that could impact our real estate marketplace. While the following is not an exhaustive list of the issues covered by the charges, these are some of the subjects lawmakers will be considering during interim hearings in the coming months:

  • Countering foreign financial influence
  • Housing affordability

Texas' Population Growth Is Highest in the US Again

TLTA | April 2, 2026

For the third consecutive year, Texas led the U.S. in population growth, adding 391,243 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, bringing the total population to over 31.7 million.

New data released by U.S. Census »
Analysis from Austin American Statesman »

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac announce revisions to condo insurance standards

HousingWire | March 26, 2026

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on Wednesday announced updates to condominium project standards and property insurance requirements for one- to four-unit properties and project developments, with a stated goal of reducing costs for homeowners.

Read more »