May 22, 2026
In This Issue:
- FinCEN Publishes New FAQs Related to Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule, Clarifies Reporting Obligations
- Texas Title Industry Connects With Congressional Delegation During ALTA's Advocacy Summit in D.C.
- Today's Last Day to Vote Early for Primary Election Runoffs. Election Day This Tuesday, May 26.
FinCEN Publishes New FAQs Related to Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule, Clarifies Reporting Obligations
TLTA | May 21, 2026
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) released three new FAQs this week clarifying the status of its Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule following a federal court decision in Texas that vacated the regulation nationwide.
The FAQs confirm what we've previously reported: Reporting persons are not required to submit reports while the federal court's order to vacate remains in effect. Additionally, reporting persons are not subject to liability for not submitting reports, nor will they be required to retroactively file reports if the court's order is overturned.
Review FinCEN's New FAQs »
Background
On March 19 the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas vacated the residential real estate reporting rule, saying FinCEN lacked the legal authority to issue the rule. FinCEN is appealing that ruling (see below).
Other pending litigation continues to play out in other jurisdictions, including Fidelity's request to the U.S. Court of Appeals to review a case in which the Middle District of Florida upheld FinCEN's authority to issue the residential real estate reporting rule under the Bank Secrecy Act.
ICYMI: FinCEN Filed Notice of Appeal
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 »
Texas Title Industry Connects With Congressional Delegation During ALTA's Advocacy Summit in D.C.
TLTA | May 21, 2026
TLTA members and staff traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in ALTA's Advocacy Summit May 11-13, attending 16 meetings with members of the Texas congressional delegation and their staffs.
The following Texas title professionals participated as part of TLTA's delegation: Tyler Adams, Rodney Anderson, John Bruce, Weston Conway, TLTA President Gil Ernst, Celia Flowers, April Gentry, Mickey Gerdes, Scott Gillen, Troy Greenamyre, Celinda Guerra, Elle Guerrini, Erica Hallmark, Graham Hanks, Elizabeth Hanna, Josh Liszewski, Roland Love, Trey Mikulik, Megen Mikulik, Melissa Mikulik, Brian Pitman, Tara Smith, Nathan Stephens, Mary Thomas, Mark Till, John Updegraff, Andy White, Brooks Yeager, Jaxon Bible, Megan Hunt, TLTA Vice President of Government Relations and Counsel Aaron Day, TLTA CEO Leslie Midgley, and TLTA Federal Counsel Jim Hyland.
TLTA's delegation met with members and staff from the following congressional offices: U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. U.S. Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-Tyler), Brandon Gill (R-Flower Mound), Julie Johnson (D-Dallas), Craig Goldman (R-Ft. Worth), Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston), Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), Jake Ellzey (R-Waxahachie), Monica De La Cruz (R-McAllen), Keith Self (R-McKinney), Pat Fallon (R-Rockwall), Roger Williams (R-Arlington), Vincente Gonzalez (D-Brownsville), Beth Van Duyne (R-Irving), and August Pfluger (R-Midland).
Texas title professionals gather for a group photo during Hill visits with lawmakers
All the meetings TLTA's delegation participated in during the advocacy summit were productive, and we took the opportunity to share with federal lawmakers our industry's strong concerns related to FinCEN's Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule, as well as our support for the Protecting Americans' Property Rights legislation, which would require a state regulated title insurance policy on all loans purchased by Fannie and Freddie.
See More Photos From TLTA's Advocacy Meetings with Federal Lawmakers and Staff »
Today's Last Day to Vote Early for Primary Election Runoffs. Election Day This Tuesday, May 26
TLTA | May 14, 2026
Early voting for primary election runoffs began this Monday, May 18 and continues through today. Election day is this Tuesday, 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 »