May 29, 2026
In This Issue:
- Primary Runoff Election Results
- ALTA Survey: Seller Impersonation Fraud Impact on Transactions
- ICYMI: FinCEN Publishes New FAQs Related to Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule, Clarifies Reporting Obligations
- TLTA Advocacy in Action: Texas Title Industry Connects With Congressional Delegation During ALTA's Advocacy Summit in D.C.
Primary Runoff Election Results
TLTA | May 28, 2026
The primary election runoffs were held earlier this week. Victors advance to the general election in November, where the results of that contest will determine who is serving in Austin when the 90th Texas Legislature convenes in January 2027.
It is worth noting that the primary election runoffs led to a few significant changes, including a new U.S. Senator for the State of Texas and additional turnover in the Texas House, where longtime House Insurance Committee member and vice chair Hubert Vo lost his runoff. We appreciate Rep. Vo's years of service and support. Other incumbent losses in the Texas House during this primary election cycle: Reps. Bell, Kitzman and Turner.
Review primary election runoff results »
ALTA Survey: Seller Impersonation Fraud Impact on Transaction
ALTA | May 26, 2026
ALTA is gathering feedback from title professionals to better understand how seller impersonation fraud is impacting real estate transactions across the country. Please take a moment to provide your input.
The survey closes June 5.
Complete ALTA's Seller Impersonation Fraud Survey for Title Professionals »
ICYMI: 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 »
TLTA Advocacy In Action: 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 »