HB 1193 -- NOTARIES PUBLIC

SPONSOR:  Self

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
General Laws by a vote of 9 to 0.

This bill changes the laws regarding notaries public.  In its
main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Removes the requirement that applicants provide their Social
Security number on the application;

(2)  Requires applicants to list misdemeanor violations on the
application;

(3)  Requires applicants to complete a computer-based or other
notary training prior to submitting an application;

(4)  Details the information that notaries must record in their
required journals;

(5)  Provides that effective August 28, 2004, the Secretary of
State will issue a commission number for all new and renewal
notary appointments.  The commission number must be included on
every notary certificate;

(6)  Requires that a request for an amended commission must be
made within 30 days of the change necessitating the amendment;

(7)  Allows notaries to charge a travel fee separate from the
notarial fee;

(8)  Requires notaries to notify the Secretary of State
immediately if their notary seal is stolen; and

(9)  Clarifies the powers of the Secretary of State to administer
the notary public laws.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2005, FY 2006, and
FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that changes to the notary law need
to be made for security purposes to help combat identity theft.
The bill helps the Secretary of State ensure that the applicant
for a notary commission is the actual person, that notaries have
an understanding of the notary law, and that notary records are
correctly kept.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Self; and Office of
Secretary of State.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:14 am