BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 172 By: Thompson (Barrientos) Jurisprudence 5-10-95 Senate Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The fees charged by notaries have been increased once since 1915, in 1987. Meanwhile, fees charged to notaries by the secretary of state's office have been raised by the legislature in 1983, 1985, and 1987. These fees were also increased several times prior to 1983. It has been difficult for many notaries to cover the numerous recent increases in fees charged to notaries or the rise in other operating costs based on the 1987 increase alone. Section 406.024, Government Code, lists maximum fees that may be charged by notaries. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 172 increases the fees that a notary may charge for providing notary services. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 406.024(a), Government Code, to set forth increased fees a notary is authorized to charge for various services, but does not set forth increased fees for a copy of a record in the notary public's office or for taking the deposition of a witness. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.