Update on 2022 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings

The NAR Legislative Meetings are quickly approaching. The full schedule is available here, but here are a few items to be aware of in advance.

An update for NAR Directors about the Board of Directors Meeting

The Board of Directors Meeting will take place Friday, May 6 from 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Potomac A-D, Ballroom Level. For those who are unable to make it, there will be a remote option available. If you are planning to attend, please register for the 2022 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings here, if you have not already.

NAR will say goodbye to Sync this year as they reintroduce their previous voting platform, Lumi. NAR believes strongly that the Lumi platform offers a much better user experience for both in-person and virtual attendees. Directors attending in-person will go back to using handheld devices with a personal voting card, and Directors joining virtually will use the online Lumi platform, which allows you to both vote and view the meeting on the same screen.

Directors attending the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings virtually can also practice voting in advance. The first BOD Orientation and Lumi Demo will take place on Thursday, April 21 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Central Time. The second session will be held Monday, April 25 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Central Time. Both sessions will be recorded and distributed for those who can't make it. Zoom links to join will be distributed in advance by NAR.

For anyone who already knows they will need an excused absence for next month's meeting, or has any other questions, please reach out to nargovernance@nar.realtor.

First Virtual Town Hall Meeting

You’ll recall that the governance changes that NAR adopted call for town hall meetings to take place within 30 days in advance of Board of Directors meetings.

The first virtual REALTOR® Association President Town Hall will take place Wednesday, April 27 from 2:00–3:00 PM Central Time.

The goal of this meeting is to inform presidents of NAR business and receive feedback on any motions that the Board of Directors will be considering at their upcoming meeting. Attendees will include state and local association presidents, as well as presidents of NAR's Institutes, Societies, & Councils. Association Executives will be invited to join this meeting as observers only. If you have questions, you may direct them to nargovernance@nar.realtor.

Hill Visits

Visits with congressional offices are currently being schedule. As a reminder, this year due to security protocols, attendance at meetings is limited to 5 total visitors. This will include the Federal Political Coordinator for the member of Congress and four additional REALTOR® members. Congress will not be in session during the week of the Legislative Meetings, so visits will take place with key staff on the Hill.

The meeting with our US Senators will take place virtually the week following the Legislative Meetings. More information to follow on that virtual meeting.

Key meetings to have on your schedule (all times are Eastern):

· May 2, 8:00a - Federal Legislative & Political Forum: Behind-the-Scenes in Today's Political Environment

· May 2, 4:00p - Federal Priority Issues Briefing

· May 3, 8:00a - General Session

· May 3, 2:00p - Eligible Candidates Forum: 2023 First Vice President

· May 3, 5:00p - RPAC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – This event will recognize inductees from the last three years, including 39 Texans

· May 4, 2:00p - Eligible Candidate Forum: 2023 & 2024 Treasurer

· May 4, 3:00p - Treasurer's Budget Forum

· May 5, 4:00p – Region 10 Regional Caucus

· May 6, 8:30a – Board of Directors Meeting

Consumer Awareness Assessment proposed increase

NAR’s Budget Review Team and Finance Committee recently met in Chicago to review the 2023 NAR Budget proposal. One item of interest is a proposed $10 increase in the Consumer Awareness Assessment. See NAR’s comments on this proposal below.

“The special assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign is due to be reviewed and renewed with the 2023 budget. Currently the assessment is $35 and renewed on a 3-year basis. Members of the Budget Review Team recommended and Finance Committee approved a minor increase in the assessment that funds our Consumer Advertising Campaign. Both groups recommended that the special assessment, which is now in its 14th year at $35, be raised $10 to $45 per member annually. Additionally, it was recommended that it remain $45 for 5 years (2023-2027), rather than the usual 3 years, before coming up for renewal. You will vote on this recommendation in May.

The Budget Review Team and Finance Committee felt a $10/year increase for each member was the best way to generate the funds needed to keep the ad campaign competitive and relevant, as media costs are rising. To hold the assessment at the current rate will quickly cause either a reduction in market exposure or depletion of ad campaign reserves.

Victoria Gillespie and the consumer ad campaign team will be communicating more about this topic in the coming weeks, including short webinars in mid-April to provide you with more insight on these rising costs and answer any questions.”