LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 26, 2003

TO:	Honorable Will Hartnett, Chair, House Committee on Judicial Affairs
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1488 by Martinez Fischer (Relating to the records and seal of a notary public.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill specifies that if the office of notary public becomes vacant or if a notary public does not renew the notary’s commission on or before the 30th day after the notary's commission expired, the notary, or a representative of the notary is required to deliver to the county clerk the record books and public papers belonging to the office of the notary public, and that the notary or a representative shall pay a $15 fee to the county for the storage of such books and records.

If the bill is enacted into law, the Secretary of State (SOS) will have to amend its educational materials to inform notaries public of this responsibility. However, updates to this material are published periodically and this update will not constitute a significant cost to the SOS.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. The fee charged to the notaries would offset costs to county clerk’s offices to store records, papers and equipment.

Source Agencies:	307 Secretary of State
LBB Staff:	JK, GO, JF, KG