Published in the State Register July 1 2015, emergency regulation 206 has been extended 45 another 45 days.

The State Administrative Procedures Act (SAPA) allows a regulation to be renewed on an emergency basis for one year. Regulation 206 was first adopted September 27, 2014.

Individuals and business entities subject to regulation should be mindful that an emergency regulation has the full force and authority law.

We have created a collection of files for you to use in our campaign to prevent the adoption of regulation 208.  You can access the tool kit on the MEMBER ADVOCACY page in the main navigation.

You can also select the files from the list below. 

The Executive Committee (EC) will meet in a limited attendance session on Tuesday June 9.  Only EC Members will participate in a strategy and planning session.

On Thursday June 11, there will be a meeting on Long Island open to all Members at 10 AM.  The meeting is at the Holiday Inn-Westbury, 369 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY. There will be an update on developments regarding regulation 208, an oral report of the Tuesday EC meeting and the Membership at large will comment and discuss in an open forum.

On Friday, the EC will conduct a telephone meeting if needed to consider and vote on a motion for a revised strategy and action plan that incorporates the deliberations from the 6/9 meeting and the comments from the 6/11 meeting.

This extraordinary format is called for due to the complexity of the issues, the sensitivity of certain information and the short time remaining to address proposed regulation 208.

As Executive Director, it is my intention that this approach will enable the EC to do their best work and allow the Membership at large a voice in the decision process.

You can voice your opinion about this approach in the comments section of this blog and in the Idea Box on the Welcome tab.

On May 12th, the NY Times ran an editorial titled, The Title Insurance Scam.

NYSLTA President, Rafael Castellanos send the following letter to the editor:

The Editor
The Times Center
The New York Times
620 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Submitted via E-Mail as Per Instruction

May 14, 2015

Editor,
I write in response to the May 12 editorial that conflates several matters of independent action under an inflammatory headline with a common nexus – the title insurance industry.

For more than 30 years I have worked in the industry, and today serve as the president of the New York State Land Title Association, a statewide professional organization representing hundreds of small business and thousands of trusted professionals with a record of protecting residential and commercial purchases by consumers and investors. Our actions are honorable and the service we provide to the real estate finance community is valuable.

Over the last several years, we have worked closely with the New York State Department of Financial Services and Governor Cuomo to improve upon proposed legislation that resulted in a law requiring the licensing of title professionals - a standard that ensures transparency and a more robust regulatory structure, which this Association advanced for more than 10 years prior to passage.

We also provide direct feedback to state and federal regulators who may not be familiar with the subtleties, intricacies and details of a real estate transaction or a profession that is hallmarked by integrity.

Many of the statements contained in the editorial touching on consumer abuses are not a factor in New York State, where the recommendation of a title agent is most often made by the consumer’s personal attorney.

We are saddened by the broad brush strokes used to paint our profession and our colleagues in the legal profession so unfavorably.

Rafael Castellanos
New York State Land Title Association
65 Broadway, Suite 501
New York, NY 10006
(212) 964-3701

If you hover your mouse over the WELCOME in the main navigation, you will see an option for Idea Box.

This is exactly what it sounds like. 

You can suggest changes or improvements in this web site (or in the NYSLTA.) You can ask questions and we will create an FAQ if the Qs are asked frequently.

You can cite a problem or introduce a matter that you would like the Association to become involved with.

Go ahead.