ENGR. H. B. NO. 2024 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2024 By: Wolfley and O'Donnell of the House and Bergstrom of the Senate [ elections - notary public – restrictions - exception - log of notarized absentee ballot affidavits – penalties - effective date ] BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 26 O.S. 2021, Section 14 -108.1, is amended to read as follows: Section 14-108.1 A. Neither a notary public nor an a gent working on behalf of a notary publi c shall be authorized to: 1. Request absentee ballots on behalf of a voter other than himself or herself; 2. Assist a voter in requesting absentee ba llots, other than for himself or herself or a member of his or he r household; 3. Receive by mail an abse ntee ballot on behalf of a voter, other than for himself or herself or a member of his or her household; or ENGR. H. B. NO. 2024 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 4. Submit a completed absentee ballot on b ehalf of a voter other than for himself or herself. B. 1. A notary public shall maintain a log of all a bsentee ballot affidavits that he or she notarizes for a period of at least two (2) years after the date of the electio n. The log shall includ e the name and address of the voter and the date, time, and location of the notarization. 2. a. A notary public who is authorized to notarize more than twenty absentee ballot affidavits at a single election, as provided in paragraph 2 of subsection C of this section, shall submit a copy of the log to the secretary of the county electio n board who granted the written permission. The copy of the log must be received by the secretary of the county election board no later than the close of business on the firs t business day following the date of the election . b. The log shall be a public rec ord and shall be maintained by the secretary of the county election board pursuant to Section 3 -126 of this title. c. A notary public who fails to submit the log as required by this section, or who notarizes more than twenty absentee ballots without authorization pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection C of this section, shall have his or her notary public appointment revoked for ENGR. H. B. NO. 2024 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 eight (8) years by the Secreta ry of State. If the notary public willfully and intentionall y violates the provisions of this section, then that notary public shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to Five Hundred Dollars ( $500.00). C. 1. A notary public s hall be authorized to notarize a maximum of twenty absentee ballot affida vits for a single election, except as provided in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this subsection. 2. A notary public may be authorized to notarize more than twenty absentee ballot affidavits at a single election with the written approval of the secretary of the co unty election board. Such approval shall apply for affidavits no tarized within the county served by the county election board secretary. 3. The limitation required by this subsection shall not apply to the notarizing of absentee ballot affidavits at the place of business of a notary public that is open to the general public during the normal business hours of the notary public. D. 1. If more than ten abs entee ballots for a single election are requested to be mailed to a single mailing address, the secretary of the coun ty election board shall immediately notify the district attorney for that county and the Secretary of the State Election Board. 2. Upon receipt of such notification, the district attorney, or a member of law enforcement designated by the district attorney , ENGR. H. B. NO. 2024 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 shall investigate any possible criminal violati on of the law related to the absentee ballot requests. 3. Provided, this notification req uirement shall not apply to requests for absentee ballots to be sent to the addresses of nursing homes, veterans cent ers, medical facilities, multiunit housing, installations of the Armed Forces of the United States where uniformed or overseas voters, as d efined by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, are stationed or other locations authorized in wri ting by the Secretary of the State Election Board. E. The provisions of this section shall only apply to an election conducted by a county election board, the State Election Board or a political subdivision of this state. SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2023. Passed the House of Representatives the 8th day of March, 2023. Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2023. Presiding Officer of the Senate