August has burned away and early September is here. I trust your summer was productive and your fall will allow a change of pace. The agency is preparing for a full season of policy considerations. 
You may have heard commentary recently about the Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (TALCB)’s Standards and Enforcement Services (“SES”) Division, which may have raised some questions. First, we hosted a Facebook Live Event with our Director of Enforcement where we answered your questions:
The mission and performance of the Texas Real Estate Commission and Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board are under review by the Legislature as required under the Texas Sunset Act. The Act provides that the Sunset Commission, composed of legislators and public members, periodically evaluate a state agency to determine if the agency is still needed and to explore ways to ensure that the agency's funds are well spent. Based on the recommendations of the Sunset Commission, the Texas Legislature ultimately decides whether an agency continues to operate into the future.
The next regular quarterly meeting of the TALCB is just around the corner and it promises some unusual excitement. Please note that the importance of this meeting is emphasized by the fact that an appraiser credential holder may receive up to four hours of appraiser continuing education (ACE) for attending the entire meeting. This is the year for the Board to undergo strategic planning, rule review and a special Sunset Commission evaluation. The ASC team is already on site and by Friday will complete its biennial compliance review.
The Board met on August 14th for its regular quarterly meeting. Because of the number of bills that passed during the 2017 legislative session affecting the agency’s license holders and the agency’s operations, a large number of draft rules were proposed. Several Agreed Orders, a modification and a Proposal for Decision (PFD) arising out of a case heard at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), extended the agenda. We heard quarterly reports from our Commissioner, directors, and major committees.
Memorial Day was the last day of the 85th Legislative session. Several bills were filed this session relating to the agency and its license holders but not all of those bills made it through the process. Following is a summary of bills that passed both houses of the Legislature and have direct effect on license holders.
TALCB is pleased to announce the Senate confirmation of Governor Abbott's appointments of eight TALCB board members on May 16, 2017.
Chair, Jamie Wickliffe of Midlothian, Vice-Chair, James Jefferies of Georgetown, Clayton Black of Stanton, Chance Bolton of Austin, Tony Peña of Lubbock, Martha Gayle Reid Lynch of El Paso, Alejandro Sostre-Odio of San Antonio, Joyce Yannuzzi of New Braunfels.
The Board met for its regular quarterly meeting on Thursday, February 9th to elect officers, appoint committees and mentors, propose and adopt rules, and consider disciplinary cases. It was a full agenda as usual and staff did a great job of preparing for the many business items we needed to attend to.
The Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (TALCB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tony Pistilli and Angelica Guerra to the Appraisal Managment Company (AMC) Advisory Committee with terms to expire in January 2018. Sara Oates and Larry McNamara were reappointed to the Committee with terms expiring in 2017. The Vice-Chair of TALCB, James Jefferies, serves as the chair of the AMC Advisory Committee. The Committee advises the Board on all matters related to Appraisal Management Company regulation.