Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Michigan House Bill HB4541

Introduced
6/3/25  

Caption

Occupations: notaries public; identification number for notaries public; require. Amends secs. 11 & 15 of 2003 PA 238 (MCL 55.271 & 55.275).

Impact

If passed, HB4541 would bring significant changes to the appointment process of notaries public in Michigan. The bill mandates that applicants fill out an application form containing detailed personal information, including their criminal background, and affirms their understanding of the responsibilities of a notary. It also requires the collection of a processing fee, a portion of which will support a notary education and training fund. This could improve the professionalism and accountability of notaries working in the state. Moreover, the bill allows the use of electronic applications and payments, modernizing the process and making it more accessible.

Summary

House Bill 4541 aims to amend the existing Michigan law on notarial acts by updating the requirements and processes for appointing notary public applicants. The bill sets forth various qualifications that applicants must meet, including age, residency, English literacy, and clean criminal records. Specifically, applicants must be at least 18 years old, residents of Michigan or have a principal business location in the state, capable of reading and writing in English, and free from felony convictions or certain misdemeanors. This update is designed to ensure the integrity and reliability of notaries public in Michigan.

Contention

While the bill is largely technical in nature, some points of contention may arise regarding the implementation of background checks and the potential implications for applicants not residing in Michigan. Critics could argue that strict eligibility requirements may limit access to individuals who could offer valuable notary services but do not meet every criterion. Additionally, the requirement for applicants to provide detailed personal information may raise privacy concerns among prospective notaries.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MI HB5898

Occupations: notaries public; educational requirements for notaries public; provide for. Amends secs. 11 & 19 of 2003 PA 238 (MCL 55.271 & 55.279). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5899'24

MI HB4548

Occupations: notaries public; fee for remote notarization; provide for. Amends sec. 25 of 2003 PA 238 (MCL 55.285).

MI HB5882

Occupations: notaries public; use of communication technology to perform electronic notarizations and remote electronic notarizations; modify and expand. Amends secs. 3, 5, 26, 26a, 26b & 27 of 2003 PA 238 (MCL 55.263 et seq.); adds sec. 26e & repeals sec. 26d of 2003 PA 238 (MCL 55.286d).

MI HB5900

Occupations: notaries public; eligibility requirements for notary public appointment; revise, and require record keeping. Amends secs. 25 & 27 of 2003 PA 238 (MCL 55.285 & 55.287).

MI HB5899

Occupations: notaries public; education and licensing requirements for notaries public; provide for. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5898'24

MI HB5302

State: identification cards; application requirements for a state identification card; modify. Amends secs. 1 & 2 of 1972 PA 222 (MCL 28.291 & 28.292).

MI SB0266

State: identification cards; citizenship or legal presence requirement for obtaining a state identification card; remove. Amends secs. 1, 1a & 2 of 1972 PA 222 (MCL 28.291 et seq.).

MI HB4411

State: identification cards; citizenship or legal presence requirement for obtaining a state identification card; remove. Amends secs. 1, 1a & 2 of 1972 PA 222 (MCL 28.291 et seq.).

MI HB5474

Mental health: code; mental health code; amend to reflect amendments to the public health code. Amends sec. 134a of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1134a). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5477'24

MI HB4193

State: identification cards; program to provide state identification cards to parolees; provide for. Amends sec. 1 of 1972 PA 222 (MCL 28.291). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4191'23, HB 4192'23

Similar Bills

MI SB0594

Elections: registration; online voter registration process; modify. Amends sec. 509ii of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.509ii).

MI SB0461

Traffic control: driver license; mobile operator's or chauffeur's license; provide for. Amends secs. 25, 307, 310, 312 & 314 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.25 et seq.) & adds secs. 310a & 811c. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0459'23, SB 0460'23, SB 0894'24

MI HB4474

Traffic control: driver license; real ID-compliant operator's and chauffeur's licenses; prohibit the secretary of state from issuing. Amends sec. 307 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.307).

MI HB4984

Traffic control: driver license; option to decline voter registration on a driver license application; clarify. Amends sec. 307 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.307). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4983'23

MI HB5301

Traffic control: driver license; application requirements for an operator's or chauffeur's license; modify. Amends secs. 307 & 812 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.307 & 257.812).

MI HB4191

Traffic control: driver license; program to provide driver license and state identification cards to parolees; provide for. Amends sec. 307 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.307). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4192'23, HB 4193'23

IL HB2446

ELEC CD-PRE-REGISTRATION

IL SB1481

ELEC CD-PRE-REGISTRATION