August has burned away and early September is here. I trust your summer was productive and your fall will allow a change of pace. The agency is preparing for a full season of policy considerations. 
You may have heard commentary recently about the Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (TALCB)’s Standards and Enforcement Services (“SES”) Division, which may have raised some questions. First, we hosted a Facebook Live Event with our Director of Enforcement where we answered your questions:
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.