The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) proposes amendments to 22 TAC §537.20, Standard Contract Form TREC No. 9-14; §537.28, Standard Contract Form TREC No. 20-15; §537.30, Standard Contract Form TREC No. 23-16; §537.31, Standard Contract Form TREC No. 24-16; §537.32, Standard Contract Form TREC No. 25-13; §537.37, Standard Contract Form TREC No. 30-14 and new §537.60, Standard Contract Form TREC No. 53-0; in Chapter 537, Professional Agreements and Standard Contracts. Texas real estate license holders are generally required to use forms promulgated by TREC when negotiating contacts for the sale of real property. These forms are drafted and recommended for proposal by the Texas Real Estate Broker-Lawyer Committee, an advisory body consisting of six attorneys appointed by the President of the State Bar of Texas, six brokers appointed by TREC, and one public member appointed by the governor. The Texas Real Estate Broker-Lawyer Committee recommended revisions to the contract forms adopted by reference under the proposed amendments and new rule to Chapter 537 to comply with statutory changes enacted by the 87th Legislature in HB 1543 and HB 1560. The changes listed below apply to all contract forms unless specified otherwise. Paragraph numbers referenced are from the One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale).

Paragraph 6(E)(7) is amended to align the contract language with statutory changes in HB 1543 related to public improvement district notice requirements.

Paragraph 7(H) is amended to remove the language "licensed by TREC" to conform with the statutory changes in HB 1560, which transfers regulation of residential service companies to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

New §537.60 creates a new addendum to comply with the requirements of HB 1543.

Vanessa E. Burgess, General Counsel, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed amendments are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for the state or for units of local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections. There is no adverse economic effect anticipated for small businesses, micro-businesses, rural communities, or local or state employment as a result of implementing the proposed amendments. There is no significant economic cost anticipated for persons who are required to comply with the proposed amendments. Accordingly, no Economic Impact Statement or Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is required.

Ms. Burgess also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections as proposed are in effect, the public benefits anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections as proposed will be improved clarity and greater transparency for members of the public and license holders, as well as requirements that are consistent with the statute and easier to understand, apply and process.

For each year of the first five years the proposed amendments and new rule are in effect the amendments will not:

-create or eliminate a government program;

-require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions;

-require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency;

-require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency;

-create a new regulation;

-expand, limit or repeal an existing regulation;

-increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to the rule's applicability; or

-positively or adversely affect the state's economy.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted through the online comment submission form at https://www.trec.texas.gov/rules-and-laws/comment-on-proposed-rules, to Vanessa E. Burgess, General Counsel, Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188, or via email to general.counsel@trec.texas.gov. The deadline for comments is 30 days after publication in the Texas Register.

The amendments and new rule are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, §1101.151, which authorizes the Texas Real Estate Commission to adopt and enforce rules necessary to administer Chapters 1101 and 1102; and to establish standards of conduct and ethics for its license holders to fulfill the purposes of Chapters 1101 and 1102 and ensure compliance with Chapters 1101 and 1102.

The statute affected by these amendments and new rule is Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101. No other statute, code or article is affected by the amendments and new rules.