Regulatory Updates:
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has updated its guidance on the essential critical infrastructure workforce, including those providing real estate services and the staff of government offices who perform recording services.
In Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce 2.0, under Other Community- or Government-Based Operations and Essential Functions, CISA included the following:
• Staff at government offices who perform title search, notary, and recording services in support of mortgage and real estate services and transactions.
• Residential and commercial real estate services, including settlement services.
These specific classifications are important, as states have been using these classifications as they have issued their stay-at-home orders. The American Land Title Association pushed for this change after hearing from members that the closing of recording offices was causing a challenge to finalizing transactions. According to an ALTA advocacy update, ALTA and trade association partners wrote a letter to associations representing governors, counties and other officials, urging them to keep recording offices open. The move helped push federal officials to consider the update to CISA’s guidance.
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