STATEHOUSE (April 20, 2026) – The governor recently ceremonially signed into law legislation authored by State Rep. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) to strengthen transparency in real estate services and provide more information to consumers.
House Enrolled Act 1252 requires a broker company who refers a client or customer to another broker company to disclose any compensation made for the referral. O'Brien said the new law keeps consumers informed when a referral is made for compensation.
"This new law not only strengthens accountability in the real estate market but also helps build greater trust between agents and homebuyers," O'Brien said. "It's important to have uniform, industry-wide expectations that reinforce best practices."
In 2025, O'Brien co-authored legislation providing robust protections and increased transparency measures for Hoosier homebuyers. House Enrolled Act 1347 protects buyers from fraud by ensuring earnest money be held in a trust rather than by a third party, ensures that buyers have full knowledge of any restrictions on a prospective home, and strengthens regulation of managing brokers of real estate agents by requiring them to be licensed for at least three years and pass a written examination.
To learn more about this legislation and other new laws from the 2026 session, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) represents House District 78,
which includes portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
