Legislative Achievements

TREPAC has a long record of successfully defending your earnings and preserving the health of the real estate industry. Here are a few past examples of landmark legislative achievements, which would not have been accomplished without your TREPAC investments.

2009	Transfer Tax Defeated multiple proposals to tax real estate, including several bills requiring the creation of a tax on every deed recorded by the county clerk. Property Appraisals The most significant appraisal reform since 1979, provided additional oversight, uniform standards, and helps to slow down the pace of increasing property appraisals.
2007	Tax on Personal Autos Exempts personal vehicles that are also used for business purposes for the production of income from the required rendition for ad valorem tax purposes.
2006	Property Tax Reduction The largest in Texas history, reducing property taxes in excess of $15.7 billion by the year 2010.
2005	Minimum Services Codifies regulations relating to a minimum level of service a real estate broker must provide to a consumer. Eminent Domain Protects Texans against government entities that may want to seize their private property on behalf of other private ventures that may be more lucrative.
1999	Commercial Lien Commercial brokers and appraisers may secure a commission with a lien against the property. Licensing of Mortgage Brokers Mortgage brokers for the first time are licensed by the state of Texas for the benefit of consumers.
1997	Home Equity Lending A constitutional amendment championed by Texas REALTORS® gave Texans access to their home equity while still protecting homesteads. The consumer protections in this amendment helped stave off the severe residential real estate downturn recently experienced in other states.
1995	Tort Reforms: DTPA Amendments A number of pro-real estate amendments passed, including: defendant can compel a plaintiff to mediate; commercial real estate was effectively removed from DTPA liability; improved additional proof requirements on plaintiffs; and added penalties for the plaintiff's refusal of reasonable settlements.
1993	Seller Disclosure Required a seller of residential property to use a promulgated property condition disclosure form, thereby decreasing liability on the seller and real estate licensee. Lock Law Enhancements Superseded common-law requirements for residential tenant security by specifying what types of security devices a landlord must provide to a tenant, thereby decreasing liability on landlords and brokers.

Reprinted from "Other issues affecting you and your clients," by the Texas Association of REALTORS®.

Resources

Legislative Achievements