It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 42-30-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-30 entitled "Notaries Public and Justices of the Peace" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 42-30-5. Application for appointment. -- ADD} (a) Any qualified elector {DEL or member of the bar DEL} of this state desiring to be appointed a notary public, or a justice of the peace, shall make written application to the governor over his or her own signature, stating that he or she is a qualified elector {DEL or a member of the bar, as the case may be, DEL} who is an actual resident of the state of Rhode Island.

(b) Qualification as an elector of the state at the time of making application is to be certified to by a member of the board of canvassers and registration, in cities having such boards, or by the city or town clerk of the city or town in which the applicant claims a right to vote, and except for members of the bar of this state, the member of the board of canvassers and registration or the city or town clerk shall satisfy himself or herself that the applicant for appointment to the office of notary public or justice of the peace can speak, read, and write the English language and has sufficient knowledge of the powers and duties pertaining to that office.

(c) {DEL Qualification as a member of the bar shall be a certified copy of his or her certificate of admission to the bar. DEL} {ADD A member of the Rhode Island bar shall, regardless of residence, be appointed a notary public upon application and presentment of a certified copy of his or her certificate of admission to the bar. ADD}

(d) Any such person making written application to be appointed a notary public or justice of the peace shall, at the time of application, pay to the secretary of state the sum of forty dollars ($40.00).

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.