The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) convened on January 20, 2026, to address several organizational and regulatory matters, including the induction of new members, officer elections, subcommittee appointments, and discussions on rule changes affecting inspector education requirements and Standards of Practice (SOPs).
Three new members joined the committee: Natalie Manzanares and Peter Charles as public members for two-year terms, and Greg House as an inspector member for a six-year term. The committee elected Stephenie Huser as Presiding Officer (Chair), Randy Bayer as Assistant Presiding Officer (Vice Chair), and Cole Robison as Secretary.
Subcommittee appointments included Mike Morgan as chair of the Education Subcommittee with Greg House, Natalie Manzanares, and Peter Charles serving alongside him. The Standards of Practice Subcommittee will be chaired by Randy Bayer with Michael Marlow, Cole Robison, and Rhondalyn Riley as members.
The committee discussed proposed amendments to 22 TAC §535.214 regarding education and experience requirements for inspector licensing. The revisions clarify that applicants must complete all required qualifying inspection coursework before starting the Texas Practicum. “The rule had already been formally proposed by the Commission at its November meeting and did not receive public comments. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to recommend adoption of the rule as presented. The Commission adopted the rule at its February meeting.”
Draft updates to SOPs (22 TAC §§535.227–535.233) were also reviewed. Over the past year, the SOPs Subcommittee examined each section with input from enforcement staff and recent building standards developments.
Key draft changes include clarifying report retention requirements—inspectors must keep completed inspection reports in an accessible format for at least four years after inspection; emphasizing physical roof inspections when safe rather than relying solely on alternative methods like drones; specifying that emergency escape openings requiring keys or special effort must be reported as deficient; updating workspace clearance language around electrical panels; noting carbon monoxide detector requirements in bedrooms with fuel-fired appliances; requiring inspectors to report visible electrical conductors running through duct systems; removing redundant gas system references from plumbing sections; clarifying deficiency reporting for water heater drain pans made from non-fire-rated plastic; and adding guidance on verifying hydromassage pump motor bonding when accessible.
These SOP changes remain in draft form pending further review by the subcommittee before any formal recommendation is made.
Future meetings are scheduled for April 20, July 20, and October 19 of 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
