TALCB advances multiple rule changes to implement 2025 session laws and AQB requirements, including valuation‑bias training

The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board authorized staff to publish and, where appropriate, adopt a suite of rule changes to align agency practice with statutory and national standards changes from the 2025 legislative session and the Appraiser Qualification Board.

Executive Director Chelsea Buckholz summarized the legislative outcome: House Bill 3250 — the board’s housekeeping bill — takes effect Sept. 1, 2025 and gives the board rulemaking authority to establish a stipend program to award funds to aspiring appraisers and certified sponsor appraisers if grants or donations are available (funding expressly excluded from fee revenue). Buckholz also explained the statute now authorizes the board to collect and display business (not protected personal) contact information for license holders in the new realm portal.

General Counsel Kathleen Santos led the board through proposed amendments to 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 153 (quadrennial review) to reflect online processing, AQB changes, and technical updates. Santos explained the board must withdraw and repropose one earlier item (22 TAC §153.19) to incorporate legislative changes from SB1080 that affect how criminal history is considered in licensing and revocation decisions. The board authorized staff to publish the updated proposal for comment.

Buckholz also briefed members on a coming AQB requirement: beginning January 2026, all license holders and applicants whose licenses expire in January 2026 or later — and applicants approved on or after January 2026 — will be required to complete a valuation‑bias and fair‑housing course; staff said approved courses are already available and outreach has been ongoing.

The board voted, by voice, to adopt staff recommendations to submit the stated rule amendments for publication or adoption as described in the agenda items.