Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 3134 amends the Government Code to establish that it is a Class A misdemeanor if a person is a notary public and states or implies that the person is an attorney licensed to practice law in this state; solicits or accepts compensation to prepare documents or otherwise represent another person in a judicial or administrative proceeding, including an immigration or citizenship proceeding; solicits or accepts compensation to obtain relief of any kind from an officer, agency, or employee of this state or of the United States; or uses the phrase "notorio" or "notorio publico" to advertise the service of a notary public. The bill clarifies that if a notary public advertises in any language other than English the advertisement must state in English and the language of the advertisement that the notary is not an attorney. The bill provides an exception to prosecution that at the time the conduct occurred, the person was licensed to practice law in this state and was in good standing with the State Bar of Texas. House Bill 3134 provides that a notary commits a third degree felony if it is shown at trial that the notary has been previously convicted of this offense.