Call for Educational Presentations!
2009 Annual Convention
The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
Roanoke, Virginia
June 4-7, 2009

The Virginia Land Title Association’s Annual Convention serves to support the educational needs of the membership.  Educational seminars, from basic through advanced content, will be presented in all areas of education relevant to the land title industry.

To download the full RFP, click here.

Education Sessions should encompass at least one or more of the following categories:

Industry Specific:

      - Compliance and Regulatory Statutes
     - Examining and Reading Title Notes
     - The Closing Process
     - Lenders, Loans, and Fraud
     - Creditors Rights
     - Estate Issues
     - Real Property Law
     - Claims
 
Business Operations:

     - Office Administration/Finance
     - Marketing
     - Human Resources
     - Information Technology

This three-day convention provides a self-directed, facilitated learning environment in which these topics and other professional challenges facing land title professionals in the industry can be explored in education sessions, informal discussions, and networking opportunities.
VLTA is seeking innovative applications and solutions to the issues within the land title industry profession.  Qualified speakers with knowledge relevant to the industry are invited to submit their qualifications.

Guidelines for Congestion Relief Fee Refunds

On March 25, 2008, the General Assembly enacted HB 1578 (the “Act”), which provides how refunds are to be made of the NVTA congestion relief fees that were collected by the five Northern Virginia clerks' offices from January until March, when the collection ceased after the Virginia Supreme Court ruled the fees unconstitutional. After discussions with members of the legislature, representatives of the Governor’s office, the Bureau of Insurance, and others, and after review of the Act and the other documentation described below, the VLTA concludes that all Settlement Agents must treat this matter with the greatest degree of care and responsibility. As a service to its members, the title and settlement industry in general and the Commonwealth, the VLTA would like to offer these guidelines to assist in accomplishing the refund process.      

The following organizations and their representatives participated in the formation of these guidelines:

        - Virginia Land Title Association, VLTA Special NVTA Taskforce
        - Virginia Bureau of Insurance, Steve Shipman. CISR, Assistant Supervisor
        - Virginia - James M. McCauley, Ethics Counsel
        - Virginia Clerks of Court Association – Chip Dicks, Legislative Council Bar

In preparation for the proper handling of the refunds, it is strongly recommended that all parties involved read and understand the following:

 1.         CHAPTER 652 [HB1578] Approved March 25, 2008

An Act to declare certain fees and taxes imposed pursuant to Chapter 896 of the Acts of Assembly of 2007 null and void and to provide for the refund of such fees and taxes to the person or entity that paid such fee or tax.

 2.         Letter from the Virginia State Bar.

Alert to CRESPA Settlement Agents Who Closed Transactions Involving Congestion Relief Tax Charged Against Real Estate in Northern Virginia. By James M. McCauley, Ethics Counsel

 3.         Letter from the Virginia Bureau of Insurance.

Letter from Steve Shipman, CISR, Assistant Supervisor, P&C Agent Investigations Section to the Virginia Land Title Association in response to a request for clarification and assistance for Settlement Agents handling Congestion Relief Fee refunds.

4.         Virginia Clerks of Court, GUIDELINES FOR REFUND OF CONGESTION RELIEF FEES

Authored by Chip Dicks, Legislative Council for the Virginia Court Clerks Association. These guidelines provide recommendations for an accurate accounting and funds transfer from the Court Clerks to the Settlement Agents.

 For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please click here