JWW H.J.R. 18 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC SAFETY H.J.R. 18 By: West, George "Buddy" 5-6-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND At present, sheriffs offices, police departments, state police, and correctional agencies must obtain notary commissions for their employees for the purposes of signing affidavits, complaints, and probable causes. These entities must expend funds to purchase notary bonds and they must monitor constantly their personnel to be certain that adequate numbers of notaries public are on hand and available for these purposes. Often officers are delayed in the discharge of their duties by waiting for a notary to be found. PURPOSE This amendment, pending approved by the voters, will allow peace officers to serve as notaries public in the course of their duties only. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1 Amends Section 26, Article IV, Texas Constitution by adding Subsection (c) as follows: (c) States that in accordance with HB 135, peace officers be allowed to serve as notaries public in circumstances where the need arises through the course of their duties as peace officers. SECTION 2 States that this amendment to the Texas Constitution will be decided by the voters on an election scheduled for November 4, 1997. The "for, or against" ballot will shall read "The constitutional amendment to allow peace officers to serve as notaries public."