On June 29, 2012, the Senate and House passed the Flood Insurance Reform Act as a part of H.R. 4348, the Surface Transportation Conference Report. Passage of this five-year re-authorization will bring certainty to real estate transactions in more than 21,000 communities nationwide where flood insurance is required for a mortgage. The entire New York State Congressional Delegation voted in support of the extension. Thank you again to all the REALTORS who participated in the Rally to Protect The American Dream for helping to bring this issue to the forefront. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure within a few days. Click here for more information.

Get involved and help guide the future of your state association by signing up for 2013 committee service. Committee sign up will be available online only between July 1 and July 31 at NYSAR.com. Click here to learn more and to sign up.

Congressional primaries were held across New York last week. Wendy Long won the Republican nomination to challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand this fall for her seat. In the House of Representatives, Assemblywoman Grace Meng won in the 6th District, Rep. Nydia Velázquez won in the 7^th District, and Rep. Charles Rangel won in the 13^th District. Click here for more information.

The Tuesday, July 10, NYSAR Radio show will cover real estate-related environmental issues such as mold, asbestos, oil tanks, standing water, radon and more. Tune in at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 10, by clicking here. Click here for more information.

Take advantage of your NYSAR membership to access: comprehensive insurance options from USI Affinity; E&O coverage from Pearl Insurance; electrical and natural gas supply from Energy Plus; free fax-to-email services from MongoFAX; shipping discounts from UPS; and much more. Click here to learn more.

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) course will be offered July 9 – 10 at the Long Island REALTOR Service Center in West Babylon, NY. This course helps you develop the business-building skills and resources for specialization in the senior real estate market by: expanding your knowledge of how life stages impact real estate choices; connecting you to a network of resources; and fostering empathy. Click here for more information or to register.

REALTOR Institute 406 – "Price it Right – Understanding the Appraisal Process" – will be offered July 13 at the Staten Island Board of REALTORS in Staten Island, NY. This course teaches youthe role and responsibilities of the appraiser in order to foster a smooth real estate transaction and offer your clients a high level of professionalism. Click here for more information or to register.

Annually, more than 8 million children are relocated by their families. World Class Coaches can help you ease fears and meet the special needs of this sizable market. Join NYSAR and World Class Coaches (WCC) on Thursday, July 26 at 2:30 p.m. for a free webinar detailing the partnership's benefit to you, the member. Click here to learn more.

As of July 1, 2012, the NYSAR dental program has transitioned carriers from MetLife to United Concordia, giving NYSAR members three plan options with lower rates and orthodontia coverage. Click here to learn more.

Mel Farkas from the Long Island Board of REALTORS submitted the high bid of $340 on the pair of Brookstone portable mini-speaks for the iPod. Thank you, Mel, for investing at the Sterling R ($1,000) level for 11 consecutive years!

The July RPAC silent auction item is rechargeable power stand for the iPhone. Bids must be placed by Tuesday, July 31, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.