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HB 5093

Relating to disclosure under the public information law of certain contact information of a notary public that is maintained by the secretary of state.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Salman Bhojani and 4 co-sponsors

Bill restricts public disclosure of certain contact information for notaries public in Texas Secretary of State records, limiting privacy risks while potentially reducing public access to notary identification details.

Effective on 9/1/25
#notaries(i0538) #occupationalregulation--healthoccupations(i0540) #occupationalregulation--othertrades&professions(i0541) #openrecords(i0548) #secretaryofstate(v0042)
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Bill Summary · HB 5093

Legislative bill overview

HB 5093 modifies Texas public information law to restrict disclosure of certain contact information for notaries public maintained by the Secretary of State. The bill limits what personal details can be released under public records requests regarding notaries, while specifying which information remains accessible to the public.

Why is this important

Notaries public serve essential legal functions but are often targeted for unwanted contact, harassment, or scams once their information becomes publicly available. This bill balances transparency principles with privacy protection for professionals who handle sensitive document authentication and may face security or privacy risks from unrestricted contact information disclosure.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy vs. Transparency: Restricting notary contact information conflicts with Texas's traditionally broad public records access, raising questions about whether citizens can easily locate and verify notary credentials and legitimacy.
  • Selective Protection: The bill creates an exception for notaries that may not apply to other professionals with similar privacy concerns, raising fairness questions about differential treatment under public information law.
  • Practical Implementation: Unclear how the restriction affects consumers seeking legitimate notary services or businesses attempting to verify notary standing, potentially creating friction in standard transactions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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