The bill amends various sections of the Government Code related to notaries public in Texas, introducing new qualifications and requirements for appointment and reappointment. Notably, it adds a requirement for individuals to successfully complete education requirements established under Section 406.023 to qualify as a notary public. Additionally, it specifies that a notary public must retain records of notarizations for ten years and outlines the conditions under which a notary may be penalized for misconduct, including performing notarizations without the signer personally appearing.

Furthermore, the bill creates a new criminal offense for notaries who perform notarizations without the signer being present, classifying it as a Class A misdemeanor or a state jail felony if it involves real property. The Secretary of State is tasked with adopting rules to implement these changes, including establishing education requirements and allowing for a reasonable fee for courses. The new regulations will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply only to applications submitted after that date, while applications submitted before will follow the previous law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 406.006, Government Code 406.009, Government Code 406.011, Government Code 406.023 (Government Code 406)
Engrossed: Government Code 406.006, Government Code 406.009, Government Code 406.011, Government Code 406.023 (Government Code 406)
House Committee Report: Government Code 406.006, Government Code 406.009, Government Code 406.011, Government Code 406.023 (Government Code 406)