Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​As mandated by the passage of HB1097 of the 2022 legislative session​, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development established the Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity in October 2023, which will meet monthly until June 2024. The purpose of the task force is to address the persistent misvaluation and undervaluation of property owned by minorities. This task force shall accomplish this objective through two activities. First, it will study strategies and actions that will:

  • Help ensure that governmental oversight and industry standards and practices further valuation equity
  • Increase training of appraisers to combat valuation bias
  • Remove barriers to entry into the appraisal profession by minorities
  • Assist in the development of a model for a meaningful reconsideration of value process
  • Reduce or eliminate bias related to automated valuation models and alternative property valuation methods

Second, the task force will identify legislative or other policy recommendations that will provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach for reducing bias in valuations, through enforcement, compliance, or other methods.

On or before July 1, 2024 the task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.

Task Force Members

Description​
NameOrganizationPosition
The Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the Secretary’s designeeGreg HareDepartment of Housing and Community DevelopmentAssistant Secretary, Community Development Administration
The Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designeeTodd BlackistoneDepartment of LaborExecutive Director for the Commission of Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies, and Home Inspectors
The Director of Assessments and TaxationMichael HiggsState Department of Assessments and TaxationDirector
Representative of the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney GeneralKaren ValentineOffice of the Attorney GeneralPrincipal Counsel, Consumer Protection Division, Home Builders Registration Unit
Representative from the field of alternative dispute resolutionArnold Sampson, Jr.Self-EmployedCertified Dispute Mediator/Arbitrator
Representative of an association of appraisersBarry ColenColen & AssociatesOwner
Representative of an association of appraisersDominic Cor​sonCorson Residential AppraisersOwner
Representative from the banking industryRamon LoobyMD Bankers AssociationPresident and CEO
Representative from the banking industryJohn LewisHarbor BankPresident and CEO
Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) RepresentativeMike DetmerDorchester County CouncilVice President
MD Building Industry Association (MBIA) RepresentativeLori GrafMD Building Industry AssociationCEO
Maryland Municipal League (MML) RepresentativeAngelica Bailey ThupariMaryland Municipal LeagueDirector of Government Affairs
Maryland Association of Realtors (MAR) RepresentativeWanda RogersRealty Transaction Services, LLCRealtor
General Public RepresentativeRashawn RayUniversity of MarylandProfessor of Sociology
General Public RepresentativeArden LylesRetiredRetired​
General Public RepresentativeMelanie GambleMaryland RealtorsExecutive Committee Member
General Public RepresentativeJacqulyn PriestlyOak Hill StrategiesPrincipal
General Public RepresentativeBree JonesParityFounder and CEO
General Public RepresentativeClaudia Wilson RandallCommunity Development Network of MDExecutive Director
General Public RepresentativeVernada WilliamsEXIT First RealtyBroker/Owner
General Public RepresentativeMichael CassellMD Chapter of National Society of AppraisersFormer President

Past Meetings