Alabama REALTORS® hosted its annual REALTOR® Day at the Capitol welcoming nearly 300 REALTORS® from across the state to Montgomery on Tuesday, February 6. REALTOR® Day began with a REALTOR® Day Briefing and Advocacy Training, at which participants heard an overview of REALTOR® 2018 Legislative Session agenda items - The First-time Homebuyers Savings Account legislation, the Alabama Assistance and Service Animal Integrity in Housing Act, and the Right of Redemption legislation – as well as other issues that impact the real estate industry. Speakers at the program included Public Policy Committee members, 2018 Chair Stacey Sanders, Vice Chair Morgan Ashurst, and Bruce Sanford. Following the REALTOR® Day Briefing, REALTORS® from across Alabama converged at the State House for a state legislative briefing by bill sponsors for REALTOR® Agenda Bills: Representatives Matt Fridy (R-Montevallo) and Kyle South (R-Fayette) and Senators Clay Scofield (R-Arab) and Tom Whatley (R-Auburn). After the briefing, Alabama REALTORS® visited Senate and House Galleries where they were recognized by the full House and Senate. The day concluded with the Legislative Reception, which was widely attended by our members and elected officials from across the state. Thank you to everyone who came out to support Alabama REALTORS®!

2018 REALTOR® Legislative Agenda Background:

Alabama First-Time Home Buyers Savings Accounts (FHSA)

REALTORS® are advancing a program to help promote homeownership with potential first-time homebuyers in Alabama. The legislation would establish First-Time Home Buyers Savings Accounts to help first-time homebuyers save money toward the purchase of their first home. The FHSA Bill creates tax-free savings accounts that a first-time buyer can use on the down payment and closing costs of a residence. These savings accounts will allow more people to experience the American dream of homeownership. 

Alabama Assistance and Service Animal Integrity in Housing Act

REALTORS® are advancing an initiative to help combat the misrepresentation and undocumented presentation of pets as service and/or assistance animals. This issue has spread widely across the state with the ability to go online and access fraudulent service and companion animal documentation with no medical evaluation and/or verification. Service animals are highly-trained, disciplined, and skilled working animals that assist people with disabilities with many important and critical tasks of day-to-day life. The aim of the REALTOR® bill is to deter fraudulent activity, while protecting those with a medically-documented need of a service or assistance animal, and provide clear guidance for real estate professionals in working with consumers in this important area of real estate.

Right of Redemption

REALTORS® are advancing a technical amendment to the statutory redemption law to clarify certain timelines during and following the foreclosure process. The aim of the proposal is to make clear certain notice requirements required by law and does not propose changes to any existing timelines in the current law.