Senate Banking and Insurance Hearing
Finance and Taxation at 10:30:00
Under existing law, a licensee of a real estate transaction must provide a written disclosure form to a consumer describing the types of brokerage services, as required by the Real Estate Consumers Agency and Disclosure Act (RECAD), prior to a consumer disclosing any confidential information. This form is adopted by the Alabama Real Estate Commission. In addition, a licensee must inform the consumer of the brokerage services specifically provided by the licensee's company. A written agreement is required to establish an agency relationship but is not required to establish a transaction brokerage relationship.
Pursuant to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement agreement approved by the U.S.
District Court for the Western District of Missouri, NAR created a new rule requiring brokers working with prospective buyers to enter into a written agreement with the prospective buyer prior to the prospective buyer touring a home. This requirement conflicts with existing law.
In response to recent changes in industry practices, this bill would provide that a consumer must receive a disclosure form from the licensee prior to a HB230 INTRODUCED real estate licensee showing him or her a property; and the disclosure of the specific brokerage services the licensee's company provides must be in writing and include general information related to compensation of the licensee.
This bill would provide that after the disclosure, a consumer retains the option to enter into a brokerage agreement with the brokerage company; however, the consumer is not required to enter into a written brokerage agreement as a prerequisite to the licensee showing him or her a property.
This bill would further provide that a licensee and consumer are only required to execute a written brokerage agreement if the licensee will either list the property for sale or submit an offer to a seller on behalf of the consumer; and any brokerage agreement entered into must provide terms of compensation to the licensee and company.
This bill would further provide that a referral agreement between real estate licensees must be in writing.
Enacted
Delivered to Governor
Delivered to Governor
Enacted
Signature Requested
Delivered to Governor
Enrolled
Ready to Enroll
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 266
Third Reading in Second House
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
Reported Out of Committee Second House
Pending Senate Banking and Insurance
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 96
Third Reading in House of Origin
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
Pending House Commerce and Small Business
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Small Business
Finance and Taxation at 10:30:00
Room 418 at 16:00:00
Source: Alabama Legislature