The 82nd Regular Session of the Texas Legislature has wrapped up, and Texas REALTORS® scored several major political victories. June 19, 2011 was the deadline for Gov. Rick Perry to veto any legislation passed during the Session. The deadline passed and Gov. Perry chose not to veto any of TAR’s priority legislation passed during the session. Therefore, many pro-consumer and pro-REALTOR® laws have gone into effect, including:
- Strengthening private property rights through Eminent Domain reform;
- Including real estate professionals among the professional services exemption to the Deceptive Trade Practices Act;
- Elimination of certain Private Transfer Fees on real estate;
- Making the Texas Real Estate Commission a self-directed, semi-independent agency; and
- Reforming the educational and experience requirements to be a licensed real estate professional in Texas.
The legislative accomplishments were due in large part to the success of the 2011 REALTOR® Lobby Day. In April, thousands of Texas REALTORS® converged at the state Capitol and delivered a clear message to state legislators: protect our industry to preserve our economy. A big “Thank You” goes out to all who participated in the 2011 Lobby Day, and all are encouraged to join in the effort at the next regular session of the legislature, which will occur in 2013.
