The Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board met on Friday, February 25, 2022, and approved a slate of new volunteer appraisal reviewers, appointed its representative to the new Audit Committee, and discussed complaints made in bad faith.
The meeting opened with Board Member Paola Escalante-Castillo sharing why she volunteers her time and serves on the Board. Read more in her mission moment.
The Board elected Martha Gayle Reid Lynch as vice chair and Chance Bolton as secretary, and appointed Mark McAnally as the TALCB member of the Audit Committee.
Volunteer Appraisal Reviewers Appointed
The Board appointed nine volunteer appraisal reviewers to serve a two-year term:
- Deloris Kraft-Longoria
- Emmanuel Nimako
- Greg Stephens
- Jack Poe
- Jesse Blevins
- Karen Davidson
- Robert Hetrick
- Terrence McCray
- Tony Pistilli
Proposed Changes
Quadrennial Rule Review
Texas law requires state agencies, including the Board, to undergo a comprehensive rule review every four years. During this process, the Board reviews all currently enacted rules to determine if they should be continued, amended, or repealed. Proposed amendments to Chapter 157
- Account for circumstances when the agency's physical building may be closed, but the agency is otherwise open for business
- Clarify the rule's applicability to unlicensed activity
- Clarify when a request for modification should be filed
- Clarify TALCB’s procedure for providing notice of hearing consistent with Section 1103.502 of the Texas Occupations Code
- Generally, better reflect current TALCB procedures and simplify and clarify when needed.
New Rules Opened for Quadrennial Rule Review
Under the Texas Government Code, and the Board’s FY2022 rule review plan, the rules found within these chapters will be reviewed and considered for re-adoption, revision, or repeal. The review will include whether the reasons for initially adopting these rules continue to exist.
- 153, Rules Relating to Provisions of the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act
Public Comments on Complaints Made in Bad Faith
The Board heard comments from individuals who spoke on the topic of complaints filed in bad faith—filed for the purpose of harassment or to gain a competitive advantage. Under Tex. Occ. Code Sec. 1103.452 and Board Rule 153.24(d), complaints filed in bad faith must be dismissed.
Association of Texas Appraisers Vice President Steve Kahane spoke and offered ATA’s assistance to the Board in contemplating complaints filed in bad faith. ATA’s Board Chairman Bobby Crisp also provided public comment, as well as another member of the organization. Generally, they expressed concerns about appraisers fearing being subject of such a complaint and the time and money necessary to respond to complaints. Kahane also said he is concerned this will keep new appraisers from entering the field.
TALCB Chair Sara Oates said she is not in favor of limiting complaints, and wants people to feel comfortable filing a complaint, as well as find a balance for appraisers who are concerned about complaints being used for the purpose of harassment or to gain a competitive advantage.
Generally, the Board members agreed that implementing better communication and education about the complaint process, both for the public and appraisers, is an important part of the solution.
Find more information about filing a complaint and review the Complaint Overview Handbook. The Board will continue to accept comments on complaints made in bad faith. You can email your comments to general.counsel@talcb.texas.gov.
Where to Find Meeting Materials
Watch the recording
Download the agenda and materials.
The next TALCB meeting is Friday, May 6, 2022, in Austin. Make sure you are following the Board on Twitter and Facebook to stay update on the latest news.