April 24, 2026
In This Issue:
- Agent Stat Reports Due Next Friday. Submit Now to Avoid Technical Challenges That Could Lead to Non-Compliance With Deadline
- TLTA and Real Estate Trades Coalition Submit Written Comments on Proposed New Reporting Rule re: SB 17 Foreign Ownership of Property in Texas
- FNF Appeals Ruling Upholding FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (5th Circuit Ruling Remains in Effect)
- ICYMI: ALTA - Measuring the Complexity of Title Production - A Study of Operational Demands, Risks, and Curative Challenges
Agent Stat Reports Due Next Friday. Submit Now to Avoid Technical Challenges That Could Lead to Non-Compliance With Deadline.
TLTA | April 24, 2026
The May 1, 2026, deadline for submitting your 2025 TDI Agent Statistical Report is next Friday. Submit your report early to avoid any technical challenges that could lead to non-compliance with the deadline.
Some agents experienced technical challenges when submitting their reports in the past. If an agent is unable to submit their data by the deadline due to technical challenges, the agent would be considered non-compliant with TDI's call and could be subject to enforcement action.
TDI receives many reports on the last day making it hard for them to answer questions. So the earlier you submit, the better your opportunity to respond to any technical challenges and stay timely and compliant, avoiding any late filing fines.
As a reminder, TDI issued this data call in accordance with Texas Insurance Code §2703.153, which requires all title insurance companies and agents doing business in Texas to annually submit data used to set title insurance premium rates. This is the first year under TDI's new rule establishing fixed annual timelines for data collection.
You must respond to this data call no later than May 1, 2026 using the
provided instructions and forms. If you have questions, contact TDI's Property and Casualty Actuarial Office at 512-676-6693 or
[email protected].
Review TDI's instructions, forms »
On-Demand Webinar Available to Help Agents Prepare Their Reports
2025 TDI Agent Statistical Report: What You Need to Know Before May 1
Recorded March 24, 2026 | 2.0 Hrs. Escrow CE Credit
Ann Garza, SVP and Chief Title Officer at Benchmark Title, walks through the report form by form — explaining how the data ties back to your financials, where agents most often run into trouble, and how to avoid errors that result in resubmissions.
Your purchase includes an annotated fillable experience report, the TDI General Instruction Manual, the TDI FAQ, and a supplemental Q&A document.
Access the On-Demand Recording »
TLTA and Real Estate Trades Coalition Submit Written Comments on Proposed New Reporting Rule re: SB 17 Foreign Ownership of Property in Texas
TLTA | April 24, 2026
TLTA's Advocacy Team and a coalition of of our real estate, building and lending trades partners submitted comments to the Texas Attorney General's office today regarding the AG's new proposed reporting requirements for title agents related to the passage of SB 17 re: foreign ownership of property in Texas.
This was an important opportunity for the real estate industry to articulate its concerns about the impact and legality of the proposed rules.
Review formal comment letter »
BACKGROUND
The Texas Attorney General’s office has proposed a new reporting rule re: the prohibition of foreign ownership of property. This rule would potentially place significant responsibility and both civil and criminal liabilities on title agents and underwriters as well as other individuals and entities involved in every real estate transaction.
As proposed, entities and individuals surrounding any real estate transaction who after “reasonable due diligence…[knew] or should have known” that a buyer would be possessing the property in violation of the foreign ownership statute created by SB 17, which prohibits certain foreign buyers and members of certain groups from owning property in Texas.
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).
Review the AG's proposed rule »
Review SB 17 »
Read Governor’s proclamation expanding the list of organizations in relation to SB 17 »
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.
FNF Appeals Ruling Upholding FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (5th Circuit Ruling Remains in Effect)
HousingWire | April 21, 2026
Fidelity National Financial (FNF) is appealing a federal judge’s decision to uphold the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers Rule (AML rule).
The title firm filed its appeal of the summary judgement ruling on Friday in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Read more in HousingWire »
TLTA Editor's Note: FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (RRE), which took effect March 1, 2026, has been vacated by a federal district court. FinCEN has issued guidance confirming that reporting is not currently required, and reporting persons are not subject to liability for failing to file while the court’s order remains in effect. Future action, including appeal or revised rulemaking, remains possible. Learn more about this issue on TLTA page dedicated to this ongoing debate.
ICYMI: ALTA - Measuring the Complexity of Title Production - A Study of Operational Demands, Risks, and Curative Challenges
ALTA | March 2026
Title companies do far more than facilitate closings—they identify risks, resolve defects, and ensure buyers and lenders receive clear and insurable title. Building on a 2024 report, this
study examines the operational complexity of title production and curative work. It analyzes the documents reviewed, the issues encountered, and the actions required to clear title and protect consumers.
Conducted in partnership with ndp | analytics in 2025, the survey captures the time, resources, coordination, and expertise title professionals invest to produce a clean, insurable title:
Review ALTA's report »