This bill potentially shifts the economic landscape for notary services within New Mexico. By uplifting the fee structure, not only does it provide an avenue for notaries to earn more from their services, but it may also affect consumers who seek these services. Initially, the impact may be felt by individuals and businesses that rely on notary services for legal documentation, potentially leading to increased costs for these essential services. The provisions regarding travel fees further complicate the economic impact, as it could make services less accessible depending on the notary's location relative to where the service is being requested.
Senate Bill 230, introduced by Larry R. Scott, seeks to amend the laws pertaining to notary officers in New Mexico by increasing the maximum fees that notarial officers may charge for their services. The bill proposes that the maximum fee for various notarial acts, such as acknowledgments, oaths, affirmations, jurats, and copy certifications, be raised significantly from $5 to $12 for most services. It also suggests increasing the minimum total charge for copy certifications and introduces a provision that allows notaries to charge for travel when performing notarial acts, provided that the travel fee is mutually agreed upon in advance and clarified as separate from notarial fees.
There are points of contention surrounding this bill, particularly related to the increased fees. Critics may argue that the proposed fee increases could disadvantage lower-income individuals and smaller businesses who require notarial services but might find the cost prohibitive. The bill also raises important discussions about the consistency of fees charged for similar services across different providers. Moreover, the allowance for technology fees up to $60 for electronic records could also provoke debate about the standardization of services offered by notary officers and the actual costs associated with electronic notarization, which some may contend should be lower due to nominal overheads in a digital environment.