March '26 Newsletter 
President's Report
This year, our focus is simple but powerful: relationships.
Commercial real estate is built on transactions, but it's sustained through trust, collaboration, and community. Our chapter is leaning intentionally into creating stronger connections among Memphis-area CRE professionals.
One of our major goals is to build active, engaged committees that support the legacy of our chapter. When members step into leadership, volunteer for events, or contribute their expertise, our chapter becomes stronger and more valuable for everyone involved.
If you’ve been looking for a way to get more connected, this is your invitation! Volunteer for a committee by clicking here.
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Calendar of Events
1031 Tax Exchange with Women's Council of Realtors
March 19
VENUE CHANGE: now being held at Renasant Bank, 5575 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119. Register here.
Market Mixer @ Fuego Vivo
March 24
Following our CI 104 class on March 24, join us for a Networking Mixer at one of Memphis’ newest restaurants - Fuego Vivo. This is a great opportunity to connect with current and aspiring CCIM designees in a modern and relaxed setting. Register here.
CCIM & IREM Memphis Mayors Luncheon
April 9
We are proud to co-host this event with IREM Memphis at The Guest House at Graceland, featuring Mayor Paul Young. Mark your calendar now! More details coming soon.
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Announcements
Congratulations, Raushanah "RL" Morgan, MPA, CCIM on being selected as a Memphis Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree! We know first hand how your heart and your leadership are making impacts in our city!
Raushanah "RL" Morgan, CCIM, is an Affiliate Broker with Myers Commercial Real Estate, licensed in Tennessee and Mississippi. A proud Memphis native and Florida A & M University alumna, RL brings a global perspective to real estate, shaped by previous careers in investment banking, operations, and government across New York, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. She holds a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and is passionate about using commercial real estate to drive equitable community development.
Known for her community-centered approach, RL was honored with the "Emerging Leader Award" at the WestStar Leadership Evelyn C. Robertson Jr. Conference and named one of the Memphis Business Journal's 2025 "Women Who Lead in Commercial Real Estate" and is an honeree of MBJ's 2026 "40 under 40" Class. She's on a mission to bridge the needs of business owners and investors to stimulate inclusive economic growth—especially in historically underserved communities.
Make sure to congratulate RL next time you see her!
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Legislative Update
Tennessee Weekly Legislative Update, 3/2/26 – 3/6/26
Activity at the Capitol this week focused on judicial confirmations, committee scheduling as several panels reached their final calendars, and early signs of the upcoming state budget process.
Judicial Confirmations
The General Assembly held a joint convention on Thursday, March 5th for the purposes of confirming three judges to posts across the state. Judge Kyle Hixson to the Tennessee Supreme Court, Judge Steve Maroney to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section, and Judge William E. Phillips II, to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section.
Committee Scheduling
Several legislative committees reached their final calendars, signaling the final rounds of legislation those panels will consider this session.
Final calendars include:
Senate Committees
- Commerce and Labor
- Transportation
- Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources
House Committees
- Agriculture Subcommittee
- All subcommittees under the State and Local Government Committee
Budget Process
The House has set Monday as the deadline for filing appropriations amendments, an important milestone that signals the start of formal budget negotiations. Appropriations amendments allow legislators to propose changes to funding levels or direct spending within the state budget.
Tennessee REALTORS® Update
SB 350/HB 469 by Harshbarger/ Reeves – Bars landlords in Tennessee from restricting tenants’ lawful firearm rights in leases and provides tenants with legal recourse if those rights are violated. The bill has passed the Senate. The House Companion will be considered on the House Floor Monday, March 9. Tennessee REALTORS® did work with the sponsors of the legislation to include civil liability protection for landlords for complying with this Act.
SB 1786/ HB1916 by Reeves/Boyd is a Tennessee REALTORS® Initiative that adjusts training/licensing requirements for affiliate and principal real estate brokers involved with vacation lodging services. Individuals that hold an affiliate broker or broker license would not have to take the additional classroom hours or seek additional licensure to manage rental properties that are for a period of 14 days or less, provided the affiliate’s actions are supervised by their principal broker. This legislation has passed the Senate and the House Commerce Committee. The next stop will be the House Finance subcommittee on March 11.
HB1670/SB1675 Taxation of Rental Properties by Rudd/Massey: Tennessee REALTORS® is part of a coalition working on rental housing property assessment classification. The coalition is bringing legislation to clarify single family homes should be assessed as residential property. This legislation is scheduled to be heard in the House Cities & Counties Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 11.
Landlord Registry Bills:
SB1601/HB1501 REIT Registry: by Sen. Haile/Rep. Lamberth authorizes a municipality to create and require the use of a landlord registry for a real estate investment trust that owns, operates, or finances 10 or more dwelling units within the municipality. This bill has passed the House and is set to be considered by the Senate Commerce Committee on March 10, 2026. Tennessee REALTORS® is opposed to this legislation.
SB1693/HB1703 Registering Rental Properties with the Secretary of State by Walley/Bricken: requires corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs that purchase or acquire residential rental property in this state to register the property with the Secretary of State. This bill is scheduled in Senate Commerce Committee for Tuesday, March 10. Tennessee REALTORS® is opposed to this legislation.
Impact Fees:
HB2323/SB2610 Impact Fee for Certain Municipalities by Alexander/Crowe: authorizes municipalities to levy a tax on the privilege of engaging in the act of development within the boundaries of the municipality. This legislation will be considered by the House Cities & Counties Subcommittee next week and Tennessee REALTORS® is opposed.
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Community Service
We are proud to support and sponsor the upcoming MAAR Commercial Council Make-A-Wish Golf Tournament!
Our partnership with MAAR reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the commercial real estate community across Memphis.
From MAAR:
"The tournament began in 2011 as a way for the MAAR Commercial Council to give back to our community. The Council decided to donate a significant portion of the proceeds from the tournament to Make-A-Wish® Mid-South.
"The goal in the first year was to raise enough money to grant one child's wish. The average cost of a wish at that time was $5,000 but has now increased to more than $8,000. Through the hard work of the Golf Tournament Committee and the support of our sponsors, the Council was able to donate $17,000 to Make-A-Wish®, enough to grant three wishes.
"Each year, our tournament has grown, setting new records and surpassing our previous achievements. The success of this event is a direct result of the generosity and commitment of sponsors like you. In 2025 alone, we raised $117,159, and over the life of the tournament, we have raised $1,045,000 to grant wishes that bring joy and hope to those who need it most."
Learn more about the tournament here.
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