May 14, 2026
In This Issue:
- FinCEN Files Notice of Appeal on Federal District Court Ruling That Vacated Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule
- Early Voting for Primary Election Runoffs Begins This Monday, May 18
- FTC and DOJ Considering HSR Rule Changes That Could Eliminate Real Estate Exemptions
- TREC Adopts Contract Form Changes During May 4 Meeting; Changes To Be Implemented July 1, 2026
- TLTA Advocacy Team in Action: Leslie Midgley Joins Building Trades Partners Discussion at Texas Realtors Large Broker Summit
FinCEN Files Notice of Appeal on Federal District Court Ruling That Vacated Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule
TLTA | May 14, 2026
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has filed notice that they're appealing a federal court ruling that vacated its residential real estate reporting rule nationwide. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas previously ruled in
Flowers Title Companies, LLC v. Bessent that the rule, which required reporting information on buyers and sellers in certain transactions, exceeded the agency's authority.
Review notice of appeal »
Background info on this ongoing fight »
Early Voting for Primary Election Runoffs Begins This Monday, May 18
TLTA | May 14, 2026
Early voting for primary election runoffs starts this Monday, May 18. Election day is May 26. If you voted in a party's primary in March, you can only vote in the same party's runoff. If you did not vote in either party's primary, you are eligible to vote in either party's runoff.
Offices on the ballot in these runoff elections include U.S. Senate, Lt. Gov., Texas AG, Texas House and Texas Senate.
Review list of runoff elections across the state »
When and where »
FTC and DOJ Considering HSR Rule Changes That Could Eliminate Real Estate Exemptions
JD Supra | May 1, 2026
As part of ongoing HSR rulemaking, the FTC and DOJ have signaled that they are considering eliminating exemptions that currently shield most real estate transactions from mandatory notification under the HSR Act. If the exemptions are eliminated, parties to real estate deals that exceed the HSR size-of-transaction threshold (currently $133.9 million) may be required to submit HSR filings to the FTC and DOJ, pay a filing fee, and observe a 30-day waiting period (which can be extended by an investigation) before closing their transaction.
Read more »
TREC Adopts Contract Form Changes During May 4 Meeting; Changes to Be Implemented July 1, 2026
TLTA | May 6, 2026
The Texas Real Estate Commission met this week and voted to adopt contract form changes recommended by the Broker-Lawyer Committee, including new language re: how to address governmental reporting requirements (this new language stems from a request made by TLTA, as
detailed in this Dateline article).
TREC has not published a complete summary of the final changes adopted yet, but TLTA is monitoring this process and will share a summary of the final changes when they are available.
The revised forms can be used voluntarily now, and their use will be mandatory beginning July 1, 2026.
Download the meeting minutes from May 4 hearing »
Review the proposed contract changes posted for public comment in February »
Review additional non-substantive changes incorporated in response to public comment »
TLTA Advocacy Team in Action: Leslie Midgley Joins Building Trades Partners Discussion at Texas Realtors Large Broker Summit
TLTA | April 30, 2026
TLTA Executive Vice President and CEO Leslie Midgley joined a Real Estate Industry Partner Panel at the Texas Realtor's Large Broker Summit last week.
The panel discussed the biggest forces shaping the housing market right now that brokers need to pay attention to. Leslie Midgley spoke on the ongoing fraud challenges, the status of the FinCEN rule, and the overall state of the real estate economy from the title insurance industry's perspective.
From left to right: Mike Barnett (Texas Realtors Association), Scott Norman (Texas Builders Association), Leslie Midgley (TLTA), and Scott Norman (Texas Mortgage Bankers Association)