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What is RPAC?
REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC) is the voice of REALTORS® in government. RPAC raises voluntary funds from REALTORS® and uses those funds to help elect candidates for public office who share our views on issues that affect our industry and shape our communities. By supporting the campaigns of candidates who understand your business, Georgia RPAC ensures that your interests are represented when laws, ordinances, and regulations are being enacted. RPAC only considers support of candidates in regards to their support of real estate and property rights issues. As an organization representing REALTORS®, RPAC doesn’t consider other kinds of issues or political affiliaton. Georgia RPAC has contributed to Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. RPAC looks to build the future by putting dollars in places that will help advance the interests of real estate professionals. RPAC is insurance for our industry. Your RPAC investment is used to support candidates locally, as well as at the state level. A portion of the state's RPAC funds is forwarded to support national candidates. For more information, please click here.
how does rpac benefit your business?
Whether you are a broker-owner or a part-time agent, politics directly impacts your profitability. Here in Georgia, RPAC has helped us accomplish numerous legislative victories:
For REALTORS® & Related Trades
- In 2020, GAR Advocacy played key role in the process to have real estate deemed critical infrastructure, and REALTORS listed as essential workers during COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Defended REALTORS®’ ability to write special stipulations and provide advisement to their clients in the completion of a real estate contract.
- Defeated legislation that would have required all REALTORS® who sold property via competitive bid, sealed bid or silent bid, to be licensed as an auctioneer in Georgia.
- Passed legislation to allow REALTORS® to engage in short sale transactions, which had previously been interpreted by the Banking Department as illegal.
- Protected REALTORS®’ ability to collect and distribute escrow funds.
- Amended disclosure portion of real estate license law to protect our members from burdensome requirements and undue legal liability after members were sued for not disclosing MLS fees.
- Passed legislation to allow independent contractors to pool together for insurance purposes in Georgia.
- Prevented cities and counties in Georgia from charging individual agents a business license fee for each jurisdiction in which they conduct business.
- Blocked a 6% state sales tax on real estate commissions.
For Buyers & Sellers
- Strengthened the statute of frauds to ensure that real estate contracts cannot be rescinded, or modified by oral agreement.
- Stopped legislation that would have statutorily increased the fee to obtain an estoppel letter from an HOA from $10 to $350.
- Supported legislation that increased the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority’s bond limit from $1.3 billion to $3 billion to fund the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, providing affordable homeownership to lower income earners and first-time homebuyers.
- Passed legislation to allow financing of solar technology.
- Defeated efforts to provide super liens to condominium associations for unpaid fees.
- Passed legislation to reduce property owners’ liability in case of trespass.
- Defeated legislation to mandate a termite inspection prior to closing.
- Passed a $1,800 statewide home buyer tax credit.
WHY CONTRIBUTE TO RPAC?
By contributing $25 with your annual dues, you will receive a $40 MLS credit on a spring invoice - a $15 savings!
Are you concerned about....
- The importance residential housing and commercial property has to our economic health
- Maintaining a business environment that is conducive to the residential and commercial real estate profession
- The failure of point of sale requirements in actually improving housing stock
- The roadblock to homeownership which is created by increased transfer taxes
- The need to find common sense solutions to the regulation of septic systems
- Ensuring real estate commissions and real estate related services are not subject to the state sales tax
RPAC aggressively pursues the election and re-election of candidates for local, state, and federal offices who stand up and support real estate professionals on key issues like the above, as well as others, that are critical to our future.
As important as it is to be involved in your local community, it‘s equally important that REALTORS® are involved at the state and federal levels of government as well. Without your involvement, the real estate industry may face the prospect of bad legislation or a new set of crippling regulations. RPAC offers a variety of giving levels so that every REALTOR® can become involved in the political process. Contact RGA today to get involved.
thank you to our 2024 rpac Contributors!
Kim Bragg
Ryan Brashear
Jenny Viger
Donatella Armstrong Key
Liz Bragg
Eric Crawford
Sam Datta
Gerilyn deLaurentys
Carol Duggan
Debbie Franco
Phillip Jones
Pam Lightsey
Janet Mueller
Sonia Salazar
Angela Soraporu-Lopez
Jan Grizzaffi
Kristen Harper
Kyria Jefferies
Matt Kelly
Stacie Adkins
Porsha Beasley
Tiffany Bishop
Ray Corujo
Renee Cottingham
James Hamby
Louie Hydrick
Kerry King
Brandi Ledford
Rose Marie Marshall
Teresa McArthur
Frank Mears
Keith Perret
Micah Sikes
Melvin Speight
Joan Steinberg
Kristen Stouffer
Daniela Torres
Tim Turner
Regina Wadsworth
Laura Walker
Lili Youngblood
Angel Black
Kim Courson
Jeff DeFoor
Ehrin Fairey
Vicki Flores
Kathy Gray
Dat Hoang
Heejin Lowery
Gloria Marsella
Jason McFadden
Sheri Myers
Michael Niehus
LaZira Perrilloux
Michelle Pontenstein
Maria Vaill
Stacie Wells
VOTE * ACT * INVEST
- Support REALTOR® champions at local & state primaries and general elections
- Receive texts on important issues and respond to Calls For Action by texting "GA REALTORS" to 30644 and join the REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts System
- Contribute to RPAC
![vote_act_invest_round Realtor Party logo](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/137/2023/10/vote_act_invest_round.jpg)
broker involvement program (bip)
A program open to broker-owners or managing brokers to stay informed of important issues affecting the real estate profession from NAR. Once a Call For Action (CFA) is released, NAR will alert brokers though e-mail and the CFA is automatically delivered to the broker's agents using the broker's name and logo in the message.
Enrollment in the program is simple, click here to get started!