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August 19, 2026 Meeting Minutes - Real Estate Commission (MREC)

DATE: August 19, 2026

TIME: 10:30 A.M.

LOCATION:100 S. Charles Street
Tower 1
Baltimore, MD 21201
(Teleconference via Google Meet)

MEMBERS PRESENT:Demetria Scott, Commissioner, Chair
Joseph Wilson, Commissioner, Vice-Chair
Jacqueline Alexander, Commissioner
Roxanne Alston, Commissioner
Nea Maloo, Commissioner
Hope Mims, Commissioner
Kambon Williams, Commissioner

MEMBERS ABSENT:Sandy Olson, Commissioner

STAFF PRESENT:Scott Lederer, Executive Director
Andrew Freil, Director of Government Affairs
Christopher Morton, Paralegal
Robert Pambianco, Assistant Attorney General
Octavia Shorter, Executive Assistant

OTHERS PRESENT: Carlton Stephenson
David Politzer
Daisy Rezende
Donna Horgan
Dave Stromberg
Dyana Quinzi
Jane Malone
Katelyn Taylor
Kathie Connelly
Nakia Evans
RosAnn Spalt
R Alston
Gwendolyn Wynn
Susan Yashinskie
Stephen Beauchamp
Brenda Kasuva
Deb Hutson
Marie Lagos
Christa McGee
Stephanie Gones

Roll Call/Quorum Announced and Meeting Called to Order

Chair Scott called the meeting to order at 10:32 AM. A roll call was conducted by Executive Director Lederer, confirming that a quorum was present.

Approval of Report of Complaints/Administrative Dismissals for August

Motion made by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Alexander, to approve the Administrative Dismissals for August 2026. No discussion. Motion carried.

Approval of July 15, 2026 Business Meeting Minutes

Motion made by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Mims, to approve the July 15, 2026, Business Meeting minutes with one correction noted by Chair Scott (correcting that salesperson exam results were low while broker exam results were on par). No discussion. Motion carried.

Committee Reports

Education Committee - Commissioner Mims, Co-Chair

The committee met on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Key updates included:

  • An MHEC representative could not attend due to a scheduling conflict; staff is working to schedule attendance for the upcoming meeting.
  • Four schools previously approved by MREC remain pending MHEC approval due to processing delays.
  • Reviewed PSI exam data (2023–2026): Broker examination pass rates increased significantly during 2024–2025 before declining slightly in 2025–2026. Staff will continue tracking monthly and annual trends.
  • Staff continues processing 75 to 100 letters of qualification monthly for out-of-state licensees seeking Maryland licensure.
  • Continued review of Fair Housing course outlines and student course surveys. Exploring implementing electronic Google surveys for students to replace paper forms.
  • Next meeting: Tuesday, August 25th, 11:30 AM

Legislative Committee – Commissioner Alexander, Co-Chair

The committee met on August 10, 2026. Key updates included:

  • Disclosure disclaimer form reported as approved, pending final release
  • 2026–27 priorities: legislative consulting, increasing MREC visibility, Code of Ethics review, property manager licensing, renewed fingerprinting/background check initiative
  • Next meeting: Monday, August 24th, 3:00 PM

Application Committee – Commissioner Williams, Co-Chair

  • The scheduled August 14, 2026 meeting was canceled as there were no applications to consider, and the application backlog has been cleared.
  • Regularly scheduled meetings will continue (next formal meeting scheduled for October 2026), though one application received recently will be coordinated for review prior to October.

Comments from Executive Director Lederer

  • Introduced new Administrative Assistant Octavia Shorter.
  • License Count Comparison (as of July 2026): 3,840 brokers; 2,952 associate brokers; 36,672 salespersons. Total license count including reciprocal brokers is 44,740. The percentage rate of year-over-year decline continues to slow down.
  • Open Complaints: 271 current open complaints (holding steady between 250 and 280 over recent months).
  • Guaranty Fund Balance: $1,235,986.00 as of June 30, 2026.
  • Out-of-State Applications: 56 applications processed in May 2026.
  • MREC Outreach Events Attended:
    • MR Public Policy Committee Meeting (August 6): Presented legislative initiatives regarding licensee background checks/fingerprinting and raising broker supervision CE requirements back to 3 hours.
    • Meet & Greet with new MR CEO Bo Patten (August 10).

Comments from Counsel Robert Pambianco

Reported that the updated Maryland Residential Property Disclosure/Disclaimer form has completed regulatory review, is published on the official COMAR website, and is now effective.

Comments from Chair Demetria Scott

  • Recognized and thanked former Chair Donna Horgan for initiating and leading the task force responsible for updating the Residential Property Disclosure/Disclaimer form, specifically highlighting improvements to septic system disclosures.
  • Recognized Executive Director Scott Lederer on his two-year anniversary with MREC.
  • Welcomed Octavia Shorter to the Commission staff.
  • Requested commissioners submit topics or initiatives by August 26 for an upcoming meeting with Maryland Realtors scheduled for August 31.
  • Encouraged all commissioners to complete ARELLO Commissioner College 101 online or in person by December 31, 2026.
  • Chair Scott reminded licensees that the obligation to protect and promote a client’s interests applies fully to residential rental transactions. She emphasized that tenant representation extends beyond showing properties and should include clear agency communication and reasonable guidance regarding stated application criteria, documentation requirements, rental assistance, and guarantor qualifications, without guaranteeing application approval or assuming the landlord’s screening responsibilities.

Old Business

  • Revised MD Residential Disclosure Disclaimer Form: Form was uploaded to COMAR on August 18, 2026, sent to education providers, and is being uploaded to the MREC website. Two separate e-blasts (one to all ~45,000 licensees and one specifically to brokers) are being prepared to outline all modifications. Executive Director Lederer confirmed the form must be used immediately. Executive Director Lederer and Assistant Attorney General Pambianco will confirm whether active listings not under contract require updated disclosures and report back.

New Business

  • ARELLO Annual Conference: Scheduled for September 14–17, 2026 (Hawaii). Three commissioners are attending.
  • MR Annual Conference: Scheduled for September 28–October 1, 2026 (Ocean City). MREC will host an interactive booth staffed by Executive Director Lederer, Chair Scott, Vice-Chair Wilson, and staff.
  • ARELLO Investigator Conference: Scheduled for October 26–28, 2026. Four MREC investigators plan to attend.

Public Comment

  • Brenda Kasuva (MREEA): Thanked Chair Scott for attending the July 28 MREEA meeting and announced upcoming MREEA meetings (including September 8 meeting with MR CEO). Asked for clarification on Fair Housing CE rules (Commissioner Mims clarified the 2-hour requirement effective Oct 31 cannot be split), background check legislative timing (Commissioner Alexander noted it will not occur in 2027), video instruction for new forms (Executive Director Lederer noted potential future implementation), and whether new disclosure forms are retroactive for existing listings (staff/counsel will follow up).
  • Christa McGee (Maryland REALTORS): Congratulated the Commission on finalizing the disclosure form and noted registration for the upcoming MR Annual Conference is currently around 300 attendees.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:13 AM.

Next Business Meeting Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

Chairs Signature and Date Fields