June 4, 2026
In This Issue:
- Congress should protect property rights, not shift title risk to consumers and lenders
- New Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office soliciting feedback on several TREC rules
- Pulte named acting director of national intelligence, will continue serving as FHFA director and chair of Fannie / Freddie
- ICYMI: Primary Runoff Election Results
Congress should protect property rights, not shift title risk to consumers and lenders
ALTA - Op-ed in HousingWire by Chris Morton | June 3, 2026
A home is more than a financial asset. It is where families build stability, save for the future and pass opportunity to the next generation. For many Americans, it is the largest investment they will ever make.
That investment depends on a strong, transparent system that is accountable to the people it serves. When a family buys or refinances a home, they should not have to wonder whether a forged document, recording error or act of fraud could later threaten their ownership or leave them facing costly litigation and financial loss.
Congress must pass the Protecting America’s Property Rights Act to ensure families and lenders are protected by reliable, regulated safeguards. For more than a century, title insurance has provided the strongest protection against title risk, helping safeguard property rights, lender collateral and the integrity of the housing market.
Federal housing regulators have weakened these safeguards. In recent years, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have allowed attorney opinion letters and other title insurance alternatives for certain loans and refinances. These products are often promoted as a way to lower closing costs. But removing protections does not meaningfully reduce closing costs, nor does it remove risk. It only shifts that risk to consumers, lenders and ultimately to taxpayers.
Read more »
New Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO) Soliciting Feedback on Several TREC Rules
TLTA | June 4, 2026
With the passage of
SB 14, the 89th Texas Legislature established the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), an extension of the Governor's office. TREO recommends changes in state agency rules with the goal of reducing regulatory burdens and increasing transparency for Texans.
As reported on the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) site this week:
TREO has recently worked with TREC and identified rules it recommends be modified or repealed.
Among the recommendations are reform suggestions for continuing education sections in TREC’s portion of the administrative code regarding requirements and administration of CE. This may be of interest to our members who provide education for realtors.
Additionally, they are evaluating a realtor form related to RESPA.
TLTA is monitoring this process closely.
Stakeholders have until Sunday, June 14, to provide comments to TREC about these recommendations.
Additional analysis and insights from TREC »
Pulte named acting director of national intelligence, will continue serving as FHFA director and chair of Fannie / Freddie
CNBC | June 3, 2026
President Donald Trump on Tuesday tapped Bill Pulte, who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as acting director of national intelligence, succeeding outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte at the same time will continue working as FHFA director and chairman of the mortgage groups Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post announcing the decision.
Read more from CNBC »
ICYMI: Primary Runoff Election Results
TLTA | May 28, 2026
The primary election runoffs were held last 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 »