House approves notary public revisions after floor amendment to limit disqualification

The Utah House approved first-substitute House Bill 95 on a floor vote of 44–21, adopting revisions to the state's notary public statute that clarify definitions, fee disclosures and optional training requirements and change some disqualification language.

Representative Kathleen Bryce moved the substitute and explained the bill addressed county recorder input, optional training, and an ability for attorneys to notarize without some of the earlier limitations. The substitute also added recommended journal-keeping practices and clearer fee disclosure for notaries.

Several members raised concerns about how disqualification provisions could affect rural areas where notaries are scarce. Representative Mary Wider and other members said some small communities might have to travel long distances to find an unaffiliated notary. In response, floor amendments narrowed the disqualification language; the chamber adopted a substitute that limited the close-relative restrictions (in floor debate the provision was narrowed so that a spouse or sibling could be allowed, preventing overly broad prohibition in sparsely populated communities).

Representative Bryce said the bill aims to protect vulnerable residents (for example, migrant workers) by requiring clearer fee displays and definition of notary status, while acknowledging counties and smaller jurisdictions may need workable access to services.

The clerk recorded the final vote as 44 yes and 21 no. The bill will be sent on to the Senate for consideration.