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Previous years' changes to membership and jurisdiction policies can be viewed here.
Adoption of New Bylaw Certification Process:
At the 2017 REALTORS® Conference and Expo, the Membership Policy and Board Jurisdiction Committee supported adoption of a new bylaw certification process. Associations will complete a certification form confirming adoption of mandatory provisions that must be included in association bylaws and submit to NAR for its records. This process will eliminate the need to submit association bylaws to NAR for review. This will also ensure the association has continued coverage under the National Association’s Professional Liability Insurance Policy.
Changes to the Membership Qualification Criteria:
At the 2017 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo, the NAR Board of Directors approved amendments to the Membership Qualification Criteria for REALTOR® Membership. These changes update the procedures consistent with the “Guidance on Application of the Fair Housing Act Standards to Use of Criminal Records by Providers of Housing and Real Estate-Related Transactions” issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development which cautions housing providers to be mindful of using criminal histories in making housing-related decisions that may result in a disparate impact on a protected class in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Because the Fair Housing Act extends its protections to individuals seeking membership in a real estate organization, an association must carefully consider how it uses criminal history as a basis to deny an individual membership in the association.
Changes to the Procedure for Processing a Contested Application for Change of Jurisdiction:
At the 2017 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo, the NAR Board of Directors approved amendments to the Procedure for Processing a Contested Application for Change of Jurisdiction to streamline the process and require mediation of disputes. Additionally, at the 2017 REALTORS® Conference and Expo, the NAR Board of Directors approved amendments to these procedures to incorporate criteria related to an association’s involvement in advocacy and community outreach activities.
Changes to the Procedure for Approving Names of Associations and Procedure for Changing an Association’s Jurisdiction:
At the 2017 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo, the Membership Policy and Board Jurisdiction Committee approved amendments to the Procedure for Approving Names of Associations and Procedure for Changing an Association’s Jurisdiction to streamline notice requirements and establish time frames for consideration of contested applications at NAR business meetings.