State Government - Notarial Acts - Fees
If enacted, this bill is set to have a direct impact on the pricing structure for notarial services throughout Maryland. By raising the cap on fees, the bill aims to ensure that notaries are fairly compensated for their work, enabling them to cover operational costs and potentially encourage more individuals to enter the profession. The modification in fees is expected to affect not just the notaries, but also the citizens and businesses that require these services, which could result in increased costs for those seeking notarial services in everyday transactions like property transfers, legal agreements, and more.
House Bill 82 aims to amend the existing laws surrounding notarial acts in Maryland by increasing the allowable fees that can be charged by notaries public. Specifically, the bill proposes to raise the cap on the fee for an original notarial act from $4 to $25. This increase reflects an effort to adjust the fees in accordance with the rising costs of providing notarial services and more closely aligns with the fees practiced in other jurisdictions. Furthermore, the bill allows for an appropriate lesser fee for the repetition of notarial acts or for making copies of the original documents involved in these acts.
While the bill appears straightforward in its intent to adjust the fee structure, it may bring forth discussions on the affordability of notarial services for low-income individuals. There could be concerns that the increase may hinder access to essential services for communities that rely on notarial acts for various legal and financial transactions. Some members of the public might argue this fee increase could disproportionately affect those who are economically disadvantaged, sparking a debate on what constitutes reasonable compensation for professional services in the state.