Transcript Highlights:

• to commissioned notaries.
• It's a notary. So becoming a notary is not that difficult.
• Can a family get a notary? Can you become a notary? Do you have a felony?
• If you're a felon, can you get a notary? Can you be a notary? Yeah, that's a good question.
• notary to another country, right?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been a notary. I am no longer a notary, and possibly things have changed.
• You know, UPS tells you, oh, there's a notary here. I go to The UPS Store, there's no notary.
• You know, UPS tells you, oh, there's a notary here. I go to The UPS Store, there's no notary.
• You know, UPS tells you, oh, there's a notary here. I go to The UPS Store, there's no notary.
• You know, UPS tells you, oh, there's a notary here. I go to The UPS Store, there's no notary.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• agenda this morning seeks to protect Texans who fall victim to criminals who are using counterfeit notary
• One major way to fight deed fraud is to fight notary fraud.
• Under this proposed statute, a person commits an offense if, as a notary public, the person performs
• The bill also stipulates that new notaries public must take the training.
• Most of the time the notary was duped or just lax.

Bills: SB693, SB781, SB836, SB860, SB906, SB993, SB1101, SB1321, SB1370, SB1537, SB1563, SB1610, SB1637

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice heard a series of bills focused on criminal procedure, public safety, victim protections, and law enforcement administration. SB 1537 would require criminal-proceeding interpreters to meet the same appointment standards used in the Government Code, and SB 993 would let the Comptroller’s Criminal Investigative Division seek mobile-tracking warrants directly in motor fuel theft and related tax-fraud investigations. SB 693, as substituted, would create a criminal offense for notaries who notarize documents without the signer personally appearing, with a higher penalty when real property is involved, and would add continuing education for notaries. SB 1610 would tighten rules for civilly committed sexually violent predators at the Texas Civil Commitment Office, including penalties for new crimes and assaults on staff, sex-offender registration requirements, and removal of certain provisions from the filed version; the substitute reduced some of the harsher penalties and preserved parole/community-supervision eligibility. SB 836 would expand privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by limiting livestreaming of certain trials, allowing pseudonyms earlier in the process, and protecting forensic exam evidence and invasive recordings under protective orders. SB 1563 would require county jailers to receive training on interacting with veterans, with testimony emphasizing suicide risk, PTSD, and the need for better identification and support in jails. SB 906 would give the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo authority similar to other Texas tribes to commission peace officers under state law to enforce Texas laws on tribal land. SB 781 would standardize confidentiality rules for peace officers’ personal information and create a confidential departmental file system modeled on Chapter 143 civil-service practices, though members raised concerns about whether the bill could affect disciplinary records and existing disclosure rules. Testimony was largely supportive for the bills, especially from prosecutors, law enforcement representatives, victim advocates, and agency officials. Supporters of SB 693 described widespread deed fraud tied to improper notarizations; supporters of SB 836 stressed survivor privacy and the harms of livestreamed sexual-assault proceedings; supporters of SB 1563 said jailer training could help prevent veteran suicides and improve treatment; and supporters of SB 906 said state commissioning would improve public safety and coordination on tribal lands. SB 781 drew support from police and TCOLE witnesses who said the bill would extend confidentiality protections already used in civil-service departments, while some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing law or could be read to shield misconduct information. Public testimony included opposition to SB 1610 from a civil-rights advocate who urged waiting for Sunset review, and opposition to SB 781 from a family member of a person killed by police, who objected to expanding confidentiality for officers. Several bills were left pending after testimony because the committee lacked a quorum or chose to hold them for later action.

Bills: SB693, SB781, SB836, SB860, SB906, SB993, SB1101, SB1321, SB1370, SB1537, SB1563, SB1610, SB1637

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Bills: SB693, SB781, SB836, SB860, SB906, SB993, SB1101, SB1321, SB1370, SB1537, SB1563, SB1610, SB1637

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• agenda this morning seeks to protect Texans who fall victim to criminals who are using counterfeit notary
• One major way to fight deed fraud is to fight notary fraud.
• The bill also stipulates that new notary publics must take the training.
• That new notary publics must take the training.
• Most of the time the notary was duped or just lax.

Bills: SB693, SB781, SB836, SB860, SB906, SB993, SB1101, SB1321, SB1370, SB1537, SB1563, SB1610, SB1637

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills focused on victim protections, law enforcement tools, notary/deed fraud, sexually violent predators, veterans in jail, tribal policing authority, and peace officer records. Several bills were laid out, heard, and left pending because the committee lacked a quorum for final action on those items. Testimony was generally supportive on bills addressing interpreter appointments, fuel theft investigations, deed fraud, survivor privacy, veteran jailer training, tribal peace officer authority, and officer-record confidentiality, though some bills drew concerns about due process, scope, or drafting. Senate Bill 1537 would clean up criminal procedure language on appointing interpreters and align it with Government Code standards requiring licensed or certified interpreters; it received no public opposition and was left pending. Senate Bill 993 would let Comptroller Criminal Investigative Division officers directly seek warrants for mobile tracking devices in fuel-theft and tax-fraud investigations; it also drew support and was left pending. Senate Bill 693, as substituted, would create a criminal offense for notarizing documents without the signer personally appearing, with a higher penalty when real property is involved, and would add notary continuing education; a Dallas County prosecutor testified that notary fraud is a major driver of deed theft, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1610, as substituted, would address safety, registration, and criminal penalties at the Texas Civil Commitment Office for sexually violent predators, including assaults on staff and sex-offender registration issues; agency witnesses described increased assaults and operational problems, while a public witness urged waiting for Sunset review and raised due-process concerns. Senate Bill 836 would add privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by limiting livestreaming of trials, expanding pseudonym use, and protecting forensic exam and invasive-recording evidence; survivors and advocates strongly supported it, and defense lawyers said they had no opposition to the substitute. Senate Bill 1563 would require county jailer training on interacting with veterans, with testimony from the Texas Veterans Commission and veterans’ advocates emphasizing suicide risk, PTSD, and the need for better identification and support in jails; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 906, which would authorize the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribal police to be commissioned as Texas peace officers like two other federally recognized tribes in Texas; tribal leaders said the change would improve response times and coordination, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 781, as substituted, would standardize confidentiality rules for peace officer personnel and departmental files statewide, mirroring Chapter 143 civil-service practices; law enforcement witnesses supported it as a way to protect personal information and create uniform records practices, but several senators raised concerns that the bill could blur existing disclosure rules or bury misconduct complaints, and public testimony included an opposition witness describing a police shooting involving her brother.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, I've been a notary for 25 years. I first became a notary in California.
• I became a notary public.
• I've been teaching notary since 2017, 2018, and during my teaching, I discovered that many notaries are
• And those are just some of the examples where many notaries, Black notaries, lack the knowledge that
• So in an environment where you don't have notaries,... Right, where you wouldn't need notaries.

Bills: HB5621, HB4904, HB5067, HB5076, HB5081, HB5354, HB4862, HB3847, HB4088, HB4157, HB2966, HB2287, HB4203, HB4803, HB4737, HB5093, HB783, HB5411, HB4281

Keywords: HB 5621, consumer protection, Deceptive Trade Practices Act, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code, attorney general, consumer protection division, district attorney, county attorney, local prosecutor, civil investigative demand, CID, voluntary compliance, financial institution records, bank records, privacy, protective order, in camera review, trade secrets, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, yes, I've been a notary for 25 years. I first, uh, became a notary in California.
• need to have in order to function properly as a notary.
• That a person can attest to it without a notary? Probably, yes. OK.
• I'm not asking about whether or not the document requires a notary.
• So, so in a, in an environment where you don't have notaries, where you wouldn't need notaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m sure that there are many people who are notaries; notaries do it for free, but I do not think we
• I’m sure that there are many people who are notaries; notaries do it for free, but I do not think we
• notary notary other<02:41:38.800> uh<02:41:39.080> individuals<02:41:39.720> who
• and put the notary seal on it.
• > public with the notary public the notary public with the notary public the notary public can<02

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you all prosecuting the notaries also, because, uh, in, in our situation, the notary had backdated
• One, are y'all are y'all seeing notaries do this? If so, are you pursuing them?
• Uh, notaries can be prosecuted.
• In most cases, the notary is a tool.
• The notary is a critical component in this whole process, obviously.

Bills: SB15

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights

Transcript Highlights:

• This SCR is one we have asked be brought to study and make changes to the remote online notary law.
• was passed did restrict the use of authentic acts or execution of authentic acts by remote online notary
• An authentic act is an act that is signed in the presence of two witnesses and a notary, and so that
• An authentic act is an act that is signed in the presence of two witnesses and a notary, and so that
• civil law jurisdictions around the world, including Quebec and France, they have a remote online notary

Summary: The House Civil Law Committee met on May 11, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several bills and resolutions. It reported favorably without objection Senate Bill 466, which bars foreign adversaries from using expropriation authority in Louisiana and creates a narrow expropriation category for very large aerospace/LED projects of at least 20,000 contiguous acres with no residential structures. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 986, requiring child support payments from persons convicted of vehicular homicide for the benefit of a child who lost a parent. The committee then considered two constitutional amendments by Senator Morris. Senate Bill 123 would allow judges to be removed for cause by a majority vote of the legislature and certification by the governor; it was amended to change the ballot language to refer to removal for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence, and was reported favorably after a roll-call vote of 5 yeas and 1 nay, with Representative Carter voting no. Senate Bill 97 would require prosecutorial consent for a defendant to waive a jury trial, except in capital cases; after adopting Amendment Set 5277 to clarify the capital-case exception, the committee heard opposition from Chris Alexander of the Louisiana Citizens Advocacy Group and then reported the measure favorably by a 5-1 vote, again with Representative Carter voting no. The committee also heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 35, which urges the Louisiana State Law Institute to study remote online notarization for authentic acts. Testimony in support came from the Louisiana Bankers Association, which argued the study is needed because of declining notary availability, especially in rural areas, and noted similar practices in other civil law jurisdictions. SCR 35 was reported favorably without objection. Finally, House Bill 1098, by Chairman McFarland, was reported favorably without objection; it provides a limited liability framework for FAA-licensed aerospace flight entities operating in Louisiana. House Bill 375 was voluntarily deferred, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• is known to the notary or... ...provides valid identification.
• I am an individual notary and I also run the Texas Notary. ...training forum where I train notaries on
• the rules and regulations of being a Texas Notary.
• I've been a notary in Texas for over 30 years, and I own a small business where we also provide notary
• the signer and the notary.

Bills: HB220, HB783, HB2240, HB3336, HB4202, HB4449, HB4904, HB3441, HB4284

Keywords: sexual assault, healthcare facilities, forensic examination, survivor support, emergency contraceptive, online impersonation, civil liability, social media, identity theft, defamation, counseling damages, injunctive relief, public health, safety regulations, community health, state standards, healthcare access, HB 3336, alcoholic beverage tax credit, spent grain

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm being told by the notary he's going to do by closing for me that I have to meet with a notary at
• And the notary tells me, no, the notary, the attorney does not even have to be there.
• I've been a notary since 1998. been mobile for many years, and this is what I do.
• All mobile notaries are blocked from the use of title company rooms.
• So as a notary, the notary niche not only takes you from signing and purchasing to the end of the last

Bills: HJR40

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare access, Affordable Care Act, federal funding, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• The offense over here happens very easily because of the action over here by a notary. a notary public
• Also, putting a notary public on notice.
• So the notaries that are acting in good faith.
• Either the notary was duped or the notary improperly notarized a signature without the person in front
• there is a bond that is required for every notary.

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• Question: You mentioned the notary fee of $25. That's if the notary charges for it.
• Question: You mentioned the notary fee of $25. That's if the notary charges for it.
• that's if the notary charges for it. that's if the notary charges for it.
• notaries who will um travel for a fee. notaries who will um travel for a fee.
• <04:41:53.200> who together, a a a good a a notary who together, a a a good a a notary who

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm being told by the notary who's going to do my closing for me that I have to meet with a notary at
• The notary tells me, "No, the attorney does not even have to be there." And I ask why.
• I've been a notary since 1998 and have been mobile for many years.
• All mobile notaries are blocked from the use of title company rooms now.
• So as a notary public loan signing agent, The notary niche not only takes you from signing and purchasing

Bills: HB1342, HB2889, HB3002, HB3254, HB4820, HJR40, HJR40

Keywords: private activity bonds, housing, residential rental projects, low-income, affordable housing, bond measures, funding equality, political subdivisions, public communications, election fairness, debt collection, consumer rights, disclosures, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, settlement agreements, State Board of Education, group benefits program, health insurance, state employees, dependents eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Known to both the notary and the signer.
• Credible to a notary if they present valid identification.
• In my years as a trainer for Texas notaries, many notaries have come...
• We often do face inconsistencies with the notary bills or the notary laws, and this bill will clean it
• It needs to be someone that knows the notary as well.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Are y'all prosecuting the notaries also?
• Are y'all seeing notaries do this? If so, are you pursuing them?
• And second, does this statute let you go after a notary as being a party to that act?
• Parts of that question: notaries can be prosecuted.
• But do you think a notary would be able to be charged under this statute?

Bills: SB15, SB 15

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, he's just swearing to the paperwork, like a notary. He's doing the same thing a notary does.
• Kind of the same, I'm just—I compared it to a notary, but it's not necessarily a notary.
• notary notary for<00:29:28.480> the<00:29:28.640> other<00:29:28.880> officer for
• , but it's not necessarily a notary, but it's not necessarily a notary.<00:29:42.679> Well,<00
• Thank you. had done with a notary where requiring had done with a notary where requiring face-to-face

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This This SCR is—we have asked that it be brought to study and make changes to the remote online notary
• So back in 2020, the legislature passed a law that authorized Louisiana commissioned notaries to be able
• that passed did restrict the use of authentic acts or execution of authentic acts by remote online notary
• An authentic act is an act that is signed in the Presence of two witnesses and a notary, and so that
• civil law jurisdictions around the world, including Quebec and France, they have a remote online notary

Bills: HB375, HB986, HB1098, SCR35, SB97, SB123, SB466

Keywords: liability, regional transit, streetcars, trolley cars, motor vehicles, HB986, vehicular homicide, child support, surviving child, minor child, parent killed in crash, criminal restitution, family law, Louisiana child support schedule, R.S. 9:315.48, R.S. 14:32.1, victim compensation, traffic fatality, wrongful death, sentencing enhancement

Summary: The House Civil Law Committee met on May 11, 2026, and reported several measures favorably. Senate Bill 466 by Sen. Seabaugh was approved without objection; it bars foreign adversaries from using expropriation authority in Louisiana and creates a narrow expropriation category for very large aerospace/LED-related projects on at least 20,000 contiguous acres with no residential structures. House Bill 986 by Rep. Kerner was also reported favorably; it requires child support payments in cases where a parent is convicted of vehicular homicide, with the stated purpose of helping children who lose a parent in such cases. The committee then considered two constitutional amendments by Sen. Morris. Senate Bill 123 would require the governor to certify a legislative removal of certain judges for cause; an amendment changed the ballot language to refer to removal for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence, and the committee adopted the 6.8A report and reported the measure favorably after a roll-call vote of 8-1. Senate Bill 97 would require prosecutorial consent for a defendant to waive a jury trial, except in capital cases; after adopting an amendment clarifying that capital cases are excluded, the committee heard opposition from the Louisiana Citizens Advocacy Group, which argued that jury-trial waiver should remain a defendant’s right. The bill was reported favorably on a 5-1 vote. The committee also reported favorably Senate Concurrent Resolution 35, which asks the Louisiana State Law Institute to study remote online notarization for authentic acts, with support testimony from the Louisiana Bankers Association emphasizing rural access and modernization of notary services. Finally, House Bill 1098 by Chairman McFarland, a narrowly tailored limitation of liability for FAA-licensed aerospace entities, was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 375 by Rep. Freeman was voluntarily deferred, and the meeting adjourned.