SOP Updates on Pause, TREIC Reviews Regulatory Recommendations

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met July 20, 2026, to discuss comments received on the proposed updates to the Standards of Practice (SOPs), review recommendations from the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), and receive agency division reports.

Committee Reviews TREO Recommendations

TREO is a recently established office within the office of the governor responsible for reviewing state agency rules and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and transparency. TREO recently completed its initial regulatory efficiency review of TREC's rules, which included several inspector-related rule recommendations.

TREIC reviewed and provided feedback on these recommendations, which will help determine which proposals should move forward to the next phase: Rulemaking. As with any agency rulemaking, this includes opportunities for additional advisory committee review and public comment.

TREIC Recommends Pause on Proposed SOPs Changes

The SOP subcommittee met on July 9, 2026, and initially reviewed the public comments received on the proposed changes to the SOPs. As a result of that review, the subcommittee recommended moving the "Range hoods and exhaust systems" provision back to TREC rule 535.232, Standards of Practice: Minimum Inspection Requirements for Appliances, but keeping the "Mechanical exhaust systems and bathroom heaters" and the "Dryer exhaust systems" provisions as proposed in TREC rule 535.230, Standards of Practice: Minimum Inspection Requirements for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems.

The subcommittee also made several other non-substantive changes to the proposed language.

The Inspector Committee reviewed the comments and the subcommittee's recommended revisions. Because many of the rule recommendations made by TREO would impact the SOPs, TREIC recommended to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) that the proposed changes be withdrawn for now and later reproposed to give the committee a chance to further review TREO's recommended language. This will avoid a situation where the SOPs and report form are updated in quick succession.

Agency Updates

Commission staff reported continued stabilization of the Real Estate and Appraiser License Management (REALM) Portal, noting a steady decline in tech support tickets and customer service hold times that have returned to single-digit minutes.

And work is underway to modernize the online presentation of the SOPs, including improvements to mobile accessibility and search functionality. Mockups will be presented to the SOP subcommittee for review.

Meeting Materials

View TREIC's July 2026 meeting agenda, materials, and video recording.

The committee's next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2026.