SB 1028: Notaries public; requiring certain national criminal history record check; increasing certain fees and bond requirements for commission. Effective date. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to transition from the House version to the Senate floor version, with several substantive changes to notary public regulations. Key modifications include updating the bond amount from $1,000 to $10,000, changing the effective date from January 1, 2026 to November 1, 2025, and adjusting fee structures for notary commissions and renewals. The Senate version also modified the committee reporting section and removed some language about same-day filing service fees.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on notary public regulations, but the applicability timeline changed significantly with the effective date moving up by approximately six months.

REQUIREMENT

Bond amount increased from $1,000 to $10,000 for notary public commissions

TIMELINE

Effective date changed from January 1, 2026 to November 1, 2025

FISCAL

Notary commission application fee changed from $25 to $50, with renewal fee changing from $20 to $45

Same-day filing service fee structure modified with updated amounts

TECHNICAL

Committee report section changed from Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight to Retirement and Government Resources

Bond filing fee changed from $10 to $25 per notary public

SB1028 (3-12-25) (ALVORD) FS FA1.PDF → Floor (House) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Oklahoma's notary public laws to modernize requirements, including mandating national criminal history record checks with fingerprinting, updating fees and bond amounts, and clarifying commission procedures. The changes affect how notaries are appointed, what background checks are required, and the financial obligations for obtaining and maintaining a notary commission.

Scope change

The bill applies to all notary public appointments and renewals in Oklahoma, expanding background check requirements to include all applicants and renewals.

REQUIREMENT

Mandates electronic national criminal history record checks with fingerprints for all notary applicants and renewals, conducted by OSBI.

Changed bond requirements to specify that bonds must be signed by licensed insurance agents, attorneys-in-fact, or individual sureties who are property owners.

FISCAL

Updated filing fees for new commissions to $50 and renewal commissions to $25, with fees deposited in the OSBI Revolving Fund.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the act to January 1, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Updated document formatting and header information to reflect House floor version with committee amendments.

Enrolled (final version) → SB1028 (3-12-25) (ALVORD) FS FA1.PDF · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Oklahoma's notary public laws to increase bond requirements from $1,000 to $10,000, raise application fees from $25 to $50 for new commissions and from $20 to $45 for renewals, and clarify fee structures for expedited services. The changes enhance consumer protection and administrative oversight while maintaining the same criminal background check requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on notary public regulations, but the financial requirements and fee structures have been substantially increased.

REQUIREMENT

Notary bond requirement increased from $1,000 to $10,000 to provide greater financial security for the public.

FISCAL

Application fee for new notary commissions increased from $25 to $50.

Application fee for notary commission renewals increased from $20 to $45.

Fee for same-day filing service increased from $25 to $50.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting changes to the bill text including page numbering and section headers.

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 1 edit · May 8, 2025

MINOR

This bill transitions from an 'Engrossed' draft to an 'Enrolled' final version, adding official signatures and dates from the Senate, House, and Governor. The substantive policy language regarding notary public requirements remains identical between versions, with no changes to eligibility, fees, bond amounts, or effective dates.

TECHNICAL

Changed the header from 'ENGROSSED SENATE' to 'ENROLLED SENATE' and added official passage and approval dates/signatures from the Senate, House, and Governor, indicating the bill has completed the legislative process.

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · Mar 27, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Oklahoma's notary public laws by adding criminal background check requirements, increasing bond amounts from $1,000 to $10,000, raising filing fees, and changing the effective date from November 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026. The changes aim to strengthen notary oversight and accountability.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include electronic fingerprinting requirements and expanded the grounds for disqualification to include preventing future applications after a felony conviction.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for electronic fingerprinting and national criminal history record checks for all notary applicants, including renewals

Increased notary bond amount from $1,000 to $10,000

FISCAL

Increased notary commission fees from $25 to $50 for new commissions and from $20 to $45 for renewals

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded felony conviction consequences to preclude future applications, not just removal from office

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from November 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026

TECHNICAL

Updated language to specify electronic processing of background checks and fingerprints

Notaries public; requiring certain national criminal history record check; increasing certain fees and bond requirements for commission. Effective date.

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