provide for the licensing of property data collectors and the registration of property data collection companies and to provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1026 requires individuals performing property data collection (observing real estate for financial transactions like sales or loans, excluding appraisals) to obtain a state license. To qualify, applicants must complete 30 hours of approved training, pass an exam, complete 5 supervised observations, and pass background checks. The law exempts licensed real estate appraisers, brokers, architects, engineers, and certain employees (like insurance adjusters or government workers). Violating the licensing requirement is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and the bill does not apply to banks or entities acting within their existing licensed scope.