The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) convened on February 9, 2026, to elect new officers, make committee appointments, propose updates to standard contract forms, and discuss the agency’s recently launched online license management system.
During the meeting, Commissioner Chance Brown was elected vice chair and Commissioner Kristi Davis was chosen as secretary. Commissioner Ben Peña received an appointment as ex officio member of the Executive Committee.
Chair Mark Woodroof announced several committee assignments. Commissioner Peña will chair both the Enforcement Committee and the TREC and TALCB Joint Audit Committee. Other committee chairs include JB Goodwin for the Budget Committee. Additional liaisons were named for various advisory committees such as Inspector Committee, Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC), Broker Responsibility Advisory Committee (BRAC), Broker-Lawyer Committee (BLC), and Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center Advisory Committee.
The Commission proposed amendments and new rules to 22 TAC Chapter 537 in the Texas Register for public comment. These changes are based on recommendations from the Broker-Lawyer Committee and impact multiple standard contract forms. Notable updates include adding “generators” to property improvements, defining “Legal Holiday,” introducing a new paragraph about water rights along with a Water Notice: Seller’s Disclosure About Groundwater and Surface Water Rights as directed by the Sunset Advisory Commission, updating Seller’s Disclosure Notice to address property insurance details, private road maintenance responsibilities, above ground storage tanks over 500 gallons, conservation easements per Sunset Advisory Commission guidance, reorganizing brokerage compensation practices in Paragraph 12 with a new Paragraph 12B, including language related to federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) reporting requirements, clarifying notice delivery methods with improved addenda organization, and creating a new form titled Seller’s Notice to Buyer of Removal of Contingency Under Addendum for “Back-Up” Contract.
Executive Director Chelsea Buchholtz provided an update on the Real Estate and Appraiser License Management (REALM) Portal. The system was introduced in late 2025 to replace an outdated platform that could no longer meet statutory or regulatory needs. Information about using REALM is available at trec.texas.gov/lms.
Legal Update I & II and Broker Responsibility instructor training makeup sessions are scheduled for March 4-5 in Austin.
Among rules adopted at this meeting were New TREC Rule 533.11 regarding temporary suspension procedures when a license holder poses a threat to public welfare; and amendments to TREC Rule 535.214 clarifying that qualifying education must be completed before starting the Texas practicum.
Full meeting materials can be accessed at trec.texas.gov.
Future meetings are set for May 4 in Houston; August 10 in Austin; and November 9 in Austin.
