[Board2voting] WLTA Board meeting - AI recap, "next steps, " and summary

Fri Feb 20 13:00:57 PST 2026

Good afternoon, folks. Here is what Zoom's AI prepared from our board meeting yesterday. I have only very lightly edited for obvious misspellings, incorrect statements, and erroneous assumptions (AI thought TAN was Technology and Natural Resources).

Yesterday we agreed that we did not want to post the full minutes on the website. But there was interest in providing more information about what was discussed.  I could work up something a little more detailed than the Quick Recap, say three or four bullet points on the major topics, that could be made public.

Sean

Quick recap
The WLTA board meeting covered several key topics including legislative updates, convention planning, and membership engagement. The legislative committee reported on their successful opposition to HB 2298 and discussed ongoing advocacy efforts. Convention planning was in full swing, with details shared about the upcoming event at Suncadia in May 2026. The board discussed challenges with engaging direct operation retail employees in the association and explored strategies to increase participation. Membership updates indicated little movement in new members, while the Recording Standards Commission received positive news about new leadership. The meeting also touched on various ongoing initiatives including PRIA membership, cannabis workshop updates, and educational program changes.

Next steps
·         Paul Hofmann/Sean: Draft language to amend WTP program for retired status and present to board at next meeting
·         Rick: Serve as primary contact for PRIA, with Sean in support
·         George/Sean: Arrange payment of PRIA membership fees once application details are determined
·         Paul Hofmann/Marcella/Team: Reach out to state managers of large underwriters to offer complimentary convention tickets and organize Direct Operation Underwriters Summit
·         George: Send distribution list of county managers to team to identify gaps
·         Paul Hofmann: Create questionnaire to determine number of examiners and title/escrow personnel in Washington state
·         George: Send out "cheat sheet" about examiner's manual access to board
·         George/Sean: Add information about examiner's manual to next newsletter
·         Sean: Send AI-generated summary and to-do list from meeting to team
·         Jim/Craig/Chris/Paul Hoffman: Meet as nominating committee to select new officers
·         George: Send information to members who register for convention about Monday meetings
·         Michelle: Contact direct operations to understand why they don't find WLTA valuable and report back
·         Paul Hofmann/Marcella/Ashley/Rick: Organize summit meeting for direct operations managers at convention
·         Allison: Reach out periodically to Ballard Spahr attorney for updates on Fidelity case
·         Gerry/Michelle: Start recruiting speakers for next education event at Pacific Northwest Convention

Summary
TAN Membership Growth Strategy Meeting
The board meeting began with attendance confirmation and approval of November 2025 meeting minutes. Paul Hofmann reported on TAN, TITAC, and WTP accounts, noting $7,000 remaining in TITAC, and discussed plans for a silent auction at the convention featuring items like Ed Sheeran tickets and Seahawks tickets. The meeting addressed technical issues with multiple Teams meeting invitations, and JP and Michelle presented the Legislative Committee report, highlighting the need to increase TAN membership from the current 90 members to previous levels of 300, with a focus on engaging employees from direct operations.
TAN Engagement and Advocacy Strategy
The group discussed the importance of increasing participation in TAN and the need for company ambassadors to promote engagement. They highlighted the lack of response from employees in the greater Seattle area and emphasized the necessity of raising awareness about upcoming legislative alerts. Carrie shared her experience in advocating against a harmful bill, noting the involvement of various stakeholders and the Secretary of State's crucial intervention. The conversation ended with a plan to ensure the bill remains dead and to maintain communication with the Secretary of State's office.
Public Records Access and Fraud
The group discussed recent concerns about deed fraud and public records access, with Paul Hofmann reporting an increase in consumer inquiries at his Mason County office. JP shared that Snohomish County now requires accounts for online document searches, and the group discussed efforts to secure public records access. Carrie explained that House Bill 2333, which aimed to restrict access to certain public records, was significantly amended and is unlikely to be a concern. The legislative committee reviewed the status of various bills, noting that most of their priority bills had been addressed, with nine out of twelve pages of tracked bills now dead. The group also discussed the upcoming auditor's conference in September where they will have the opportunity to present on deed fraud.
WLTA Legislative and Financial Updates
The meeting covered several key topics, including legislative updates, financial reports, and ongoing rulemaking efforts. Sean reported positive feedback from Marianne Nichols regarding WLTA's role in opposing HB 2298, and a motion was passed for WLTA to cover PRIA  membership fees. The group discussed changes to the WTP program for retired members, with Paul and Sean tasked to draft language for the next board meeting. Financially, the association is in good standing with 75% of dues collected and preparations underway for the upcoming convention at Suncadia. Ashley provided updates on rulemaking efforts, particularly regarding minimum standards for claims handling and educational programs, while Sean is investigating taxation issues for live events hosted by nonprofits.
Convention Tax and Dues Updates
The group discussed several key topics including tax implications for conventions, where Sean confirmed they likely don't need to collect sales tax. George reported working on a registration link for an upcoming convention, though he expressed concerns about using Eventbrite due to tax collection requirements. The group also addressed changes to the dues structure, with an 80-20 split between underwriters and agents now approved, though further discussion is needed on how to allocate the 20% for agents. Regarding the Recording Standards Commission, Sean shared that Heather Hirotaka, the state archivist, will be involved to help develop alternatives to HB2298, with her support from the Secretary of State.
Cannabis Rescheduling Status Update
The group discussed the status of cannabis rescheduling, with Erin reporting that Trump's proposed legislation to change cannabis classification had not moved forward, and an article described it as "smoke." They agreed to take a 10-minute break at 12:35, and Ashley mentioned they would continue discussing the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act after the break.
Convention Planning and Legislative Updates
The board discussed several key updates: Sean reported that a bill amendment was passed unanimously by the Senate and is expected to pass in the House next week, allowing them to remove this item from the next meeting agenda. Sean shared insights from a recent state land title executive meeting hosted by ALTA, where he learned that many state association executives come from association management backgrounds rather than title industry experience. The board reviewed convention planning progress, with Anthony and Marcella working on speaker arrangements and George saying that registration will likely be through Constant Contact. Paul Hammann reported no new membership additions, while Paul Hofmann suggested reaching out to large direct operation retailers to re-engage them with the association, particularly for the upcoming convention at Suncadia from May 18-20, 2026.
Enhancing Agency-Operations Engagement
The group discussed challenges with engagement between agency and direct operations, noting a lack of crossover and communication between these segments. They emphasized the need for more direct operation managers to be involved in the organization, particularly for conventions and seminars, as these individuals can better represent and advocate for their teams. The conversation also highlighted the shift from examiners to production-focused roles, suggesting a need to adjust educational content to better serve current industry needs. Additionally, there was a discussion about determining the number of examiners and title officers in Washington state to better understand the workforce and plan future educational initiatives.
Underwriter Summit Engagement Strategy
The board discussed strategies to increase engagement with underwriter state managers, with Paul Hofmann proposing a "Direct Operation Underwriters Summit" offering free convention tickets to encourage participation. The group agreed to focus on making managers feel special rather than requiring them to bring attendees, with Rick and Ashley offering to help with contacts. George suggested including Anthony in the planning process due to his role as incoming president, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining balanced representation across the board and association.
Convention Planning and Manual Updates
The board discussed increasing participation in the upcoming convention at Suncadia, with George suggesting they first aim to get 5 attendees before adjusting the schedule to accommodate a new breakout session. They also discussed the examiner's manual, with George offering to share a cheat sheet with the board and considering adding information about it to the newsletter. Allison reported on a potential amicus brief request that was ultimately not pursued due to concerns about the case's relevance to title and escrow.
Legal Updates and Convention Planning
The board discussed several legal cases and updates, including a complex community property case involving a $8.3M estate and a 2-year battle with DOR over estate tax assessment. They reviewed the upcoming convention planning, with George confirming it will be held at Suncadia Lodge. Re: past education seminars, he said they generally included 6 CLE credits for a roughly $195 registration fee. The board also discussed distributing meeting minutes more broadly, with a consensus to share agendas but not detailed minutes to maintain open discussion.

George Peters, WTP

Sean Holland, WTP

Co-Executive Directors

Washington Land Title Association

https://washingtonlandtitle.com<https://washingtonlandtitle.com/>

Mail: PO Box 328, Lynnwood, WA 98046

Delivery: 6817 208th St SW, #328, Lynnwood, WA 98036

206-437-5869 (George's Mobile)

206-697-4199 (Sean's Mobile)

execdirector at washingtonlandtitle.com

[WLTA Logo w-Ring Blue 1a][cid:6ddd2364-15a4-43aa-9ac2-834dc5966474]

This is a confidential communication intended solely for the named recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy it and call Sean Holland at 206-697-4199 immediately. Thank you.

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