The agency has committed to implement a variety of measures to improve our customer service. This is a quick review of what we have done so far and what additional steps remain to be implemented to enhance our responsiveness.
AUSTIN, TX - The Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (TALCB) is pleased to announce an important win for consumers in Texas. Former real estate appraiser trainee, James P. Edwards, has been indicted in Tarrant County District Court on 16 different felony counts. This criminal prosecution protects Texas consumers from Edwards’ illegal and deceptive appraisal activities.
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.
Happy New Year! It’s January and 2018 promises to be filled with important activity. First, our federal oversight agency, the Appraisal Subcommittee will visit us in early February to complete their biennial audit. Their last two visits have resulted in a clean audit with no findings and we expect the same this year as well.
October has just concluded and November is here. This is always an exciting time with the World Series (How about those Astros!?), Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos, and the beginning of deer hunting season in Texas. October 31 also closes our State Employee Charitable Campaign month, with new highs reached each year for generosity by our team members.
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.
As the Board and its staff get prepared for its next meeting on Monday, August 14th, I am pleased to tell you that the summer has been very productive. All of the agency teams are handling very high volumes of matters, even with daily staff numbers reduced due to summer vacations. Despite this, the teams are keeping up with demand, but not as many or as quickly as we want. 
SB 1516 amends Chapter 1104 to address some recent changes in federal law regarding the regulation of AMCs, to provide consistency in terminology, and to repeal some outdated provisions. The bill also makes some conforming changes to align Chapter 1104 with the amendments made last session to Chapter 1103, the appraiser licensing act administered by the Board.