J. MILLARD TAWES, GOVERNOR                           1055

entitled "Notaries Public", amending the law concerning the
appointment and qualifications of notaries public in order to
establish a minimum age necessary in order to qualify as a notary
public. , AND ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE TO BE FOL-
LOWED FOR THE RENEWAL OF A NOTARY PUBLIC'S
COMMISSION IN THE CASE OF A PERSON WHO IS AL-
READY HOLDING SUCH A COMMISSION.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 1 of Article 68 of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(1960 Supplement), title "Notaries Public", be and it is hereby
repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, to read as follows:

1. Appointment, qualifications, oath, commission and fees. The
Governor on the approval of the application by the Senator of the
county or legislative district of Baltimore City in which the appli-
cant resides, shall appoint and commission in his discretion and
judgment any number of persons, male or female, at least eighteen
(18) years of age, of known good character, and integrity and abili-
ties, citizens of the United States, and who have resided in this
State two (2) years previous to their appointment as notaries public
for the State of Maryland; provided that such residence require-
ment shall not be applicable to persons appointed as an official court
reporter by any court of Baltimore City. IN THE CASE OF A
PERSON WHO IS HOLDING A NOTARY'S COMMISSION AND
WISHES TO RENEW IT, A FORMAL APPLICATION FOR RE-
NEWAL IS NOT NECESSARY; IN SUCH EVENT A NOTIFI-
CATION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE NAME
AND ADDRESS OF THE PERSON, TOGETHER WITH THE
WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE SENATOR OF THE COUNTY
OR LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT AND THE PAYMENT OF THE
REQUIRED FEE, IS A SUFFICIENT APPLICATION FOR RE-
NEWAL, AND THE RENEWAL SHALL BE ISSUED SUBJECT
TO THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE. NOTIFICA-
TION OF RENEWALS OF NOTARY COMMISSIONS SHALL BE
MAILED TO THE NOTARIES PUBLIC IN ENVELOPES
ADDRESSED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF
STATE. WHEN REQUESTED BY THE STATE SENATOR.
WHEN ADDRESSED ENVELOPES ARE NOT SO REQUEST-
ED, LISTS OF NOTARIES PUBLIC RECEIVING RENEWED
COMMISSIONS SHALL BE DELIVERED TO EACH STATE
SENATOR.

No distinction shall be made between male or female applicants,
who shall take the oath of office before the clerk of the circuit court
for each of the counties in the State, and the clerk of the Superior
Court in Baltimore City, respectively, and shall receive a commis-
sion signed by the Governor and Secretary of State under the great
seal of the State. They shall pay the sum of five ($5) dollars for
each commission so issued, to the treasury of the State of Maryland,
and the further sum of fifty cents (50c) to the clerk for the regis-
tration of the name and address of each of the said notaries public.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1961. IS HEREBY DECLARED TO BE AN EMERGENCY
MEASURE AND NECESSARY FOR THE IMMEDIATE PRES-
ERVATION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND