Summary:

 Senate Bill 230 (SB 230):  This legislation primarily raises the maximum amounts notaries may charge for acknowledgments, oaths, jurats, copy certifications, and electronic notarizations, aligning notarial fees more closely with modern costs and practices while maintaining regulations on how and when additional fees (travel or technology) can be charged. 

Legislation Overview:

 Senate Bill 230 (SB 230):  This act relating to Notary Officers; Increasing the Maximum Fees a Notary Officer May Charge for Services.  
a)	The bill updates the maximum notarial fees allowed under New Mexico law. It amends Section 14-14A-28 NMSA 1978 (Being Laws 2021, Chapter 21, Section 28, as Amended) to increase the amount that notarial officers may charge for various services, as well as increases the allowable technology fee.
Key Changes:
Acknowledgments:
b)	Current Law: Up to $5.00 per acknowledgment
Proposed: Up to $12.00 per acknowledgment
Oaths or Affirmations (Without a Signature):
c)	Current Law: Up to $5.00 per person
Proposed: Up to $12.00 per person
Jurats:
d)	Current Law: Up to $5.00 per jurat
Proposed: Up to $12.00 per jurat
Copy Certifications:
e)	Current Law: $0.50 per page with a minimum total charge of $5.00
Proposed: $1.20 per page with a minimum total charge of $12.00
Technology Fee:
f)	Current Law: Up to $25.00 per notarial act performed electronically
Proposed: Up to $60.00 per notarial act performed electronically
The Secretary of State retains the authority to adjust this fee by rule.
Travel Fee:  No change to the substantive requirements for charging a travel fee. The notarial officer and the person requesting services must agree in advance, and the fee must be identified as separate from mandatory notarial fees.
Other Notable Provisions - 
•	Employers cannot establish fees higher than those authorized by law.
•	Employers also cannot set fees based on the “attributes of the principal,” meaning the customer’s personal characteristics (e.g., race, religion, national origin, etc.) must not affect the notarial fee.
Effective Date
If enacted, the amendments would become effective on July 1, 2025.