STAND. COM. REP. NO.  657

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 1032

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1032 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NOTARY PUBLIC SEALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to deter the fraudulent use of notary public seals, by statutorily requiring these seals to include the notary public's commission number.  This bill also makes other clarifying amendments to the statute on notary public seals.

     The Department of the Attorney General testified in support of this bill.

     A notary public's commission number is a unique identifier that can be used to quickly determine whether the notary public was properly commissioned in Hawaii.  While notary public seals are already required to include the notary public's commission number under section 5-11-5, Hawaii Administrative Rules, this bill makes a corresponding amendment to the pertinent statute to reduce confusion as to what information is required on these seals.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1032 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair