HOUSE BILL NO. 439 An Act relating to the authority to take oaths, affirmations, and acknowledgments in the state; relating to notaries public; relating to fees for issuing certificates with the seal of the state affixed; and providing for an effective date. ANNETTE KREITZER, CHIEF OF STAFF, OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, pointed out the positive fiscal note accompanying HB 439. She highlighted the comparison chart and the sectional analysis. (Copy on File). The sectional analysis outlines the changes that occurred in the House State Affairs and House Judiciary Committees. The bill is a result of research handled by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and among 12,000 notaries statewide. In the prepared bill, the qualification age has been lowered to 18 years old. The residency requirement made is consistent with general residency statute AS 01.10.055, rather than separate definition. The terms would remain the same. The $2 dollar per certificate fee has been increased to $5 dollars per certificate. The bond amount was not changed. Ms. Kreitzer continued, highlighting the two types of commissions, public notaries and the limited governmental notary public commissions. The Lt. Governor, for good cause via a formal disciplinary procedure, could make a commission revocation. The notary information currently available remains unchanged. The notary's name, mailing address, surety information and commission dates continue to be publicly available. There will be no changes to the non- commissioned notaries. Ms. Kreitzer added that it is intended to move toward a web- based system. Representative Foster referenced the comparison chart, inquiring how it was intended to work in rural Alaska. SCOTT CLARK, NOTARY ADMINISTRATOR, OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, explained that beside commercial bonds, there are individual assurities. A person applying for the notary commission can have a relative or friend act assurity on a bond. It does not involve any expense on the applicant's part. Representative Foster pointed out that the chart implies that applicants cannot have a felon conviction for a ten- year period. Mr. Clark responded that currently there are no restrictions for felons serving as notaries. Ms. Kreitzer stated that the bill had not been introduced with language addressing that concern. The Lt. Governor offered to consider the right to be a notary if there was a good compromise. From statistics, the Department of Corrections has indicated that if someone was free from committing a felony for 10-years following the initial felony, there is a good chance that person would not be committing another felony. She clarified that the language was a compromise. That statement surprised Representative Foster as he thought a person could not vote if they had been a felon. Ms. Kreitzer advised that voting rights can be restored. Co-Chair Williams stated that HB 439 would be HELD in Committee for further consideration.