LegislationJun 01, 2009 - Maryland
MD Senate Bill 86 - Senate Bill 86 raises the fidelity bond and the blanket surety bond or letter of credit of a title insurance producer to $150,000 (previously $100,000) for all licenses issued or renewed on or after October 1, 2009.
LegislationJun 01, 2009 - Illinois
IL Senate Bill 546 - Establishing a 4-year pilot program, SB 546 requires Notaries to create a “Notarial Record” for any qualifying “Document of Conveyance” affecting or purporting to affect title to residential real property in Cook County, Illinois, from June 1, 2009 through June 30, 2013. The new law specifies the entries for the Notarial Record, including a thumbprint, prescribes a statutory form and provides for the proper disposition of the Notarial Record. The new law allows Notaries who create a Notarial Record to charge $25 for the notarization.
LegislationMay 19, 2009 - Colorado
CO House Bill 09-1326 - In an effort to stem abuse and fraud in the statewide citizen-initiated petition process, Colorado HB 09-1326 sets stringent procedures for the notarization of a circulator’s affidavit, imposes penalties for fraud and permits electors to commence civil actions against persons, including Notaries, who perpetrate fraud.
LegislationMay 11, 2009 - Nevada
NV Senate Bill 314 - Nevada enacts the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA). If a power of attorney is presented for notarization, a Notary will need to know that a signer may sign the power of attorney or may direct another person to sign it for him or her. The Act doesn’t require a power of attorney to be notarized, but a court will presume the signature to be genuine if it is acknowledged before a Notary or an officer authorized to take acknowledgments. Senate Bill 314 also enacts rules governing health care powers, which are required to be either acknowledged before a Notary or witnessed by two persons who watched the principal sign.
LegislationMay 05, 2009 - Georgia
GA House Bill 127 - Georgia becomes the twenty-first state to enact the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act, enabling county recorders to accept electronic real property documents for recording in conformance with technical standards set by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority.
LegislationApr 27, 2009 - Colorado
CO House Bill 09-1198 - Colorado enacts the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA). If a power of attorney is presented for notarization, a Notary will need to know that a signer may sign the power of attorney or may direct another person to sign it for him or her. The Act doesn’t require a power of attorney to be notarized, but a court will presume the signature to be genuine if it is acknowledged before a Notary or an officer authorized to take acknowledgments.
Executive OrderApr 08, 2009 - Rhode Island
RI Executive Order 09-08 - An executive order issued by Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri advises Notaries to follow an extensive list of best practices in the performance of their duties. While this “advisory code of conduct” does not supersede any existing law, administrative regulation or court rule, the standards will help Notaries uphold the public trust and will be considered by the Governor in the appointment, reappointment and removal of Notaries from their office.
LegislationMar 16, 2009 - Virginia
VA Senate Bill 833 - In 2007, Virginia enacted a sweeping new electronic notarization bill with an effective date of July 1, 2008. The effective date was postponed due to the lack of standards for electronic notarization. Senate Bill 833 authorizes the Secretary of the Commonwealth to develop these standards in consultation with the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. The Act also declares that any electronic notarization performed in conformance with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act that appears on its face to be properly notarized shall be presumed to have been notarized in accordance with Virginia law and rule.
LegislationFeb 01, 2009 - Delaware
DE Senate Bill 246 - Senate Bill 246 implements important new provisions for both paper-based and electronic notarial acts, including new identification procedures and comprehensive standards for electronic signatures, seals and journals. Certain electronic notarization provisions are innovative and may prove to be controversial. Some paper-based sections of Chapter 43 are little changed by the new law, including sections based upon the Uniform Law on Notary Acts that contain five short-form Notary certificates.
LegislationJan 01, 2009 - Hawaii
HI House Bill 2920 - House Bill 2920 aims to reduce frauds associated with notarized documents by defining certain offenses and prescribing fines for violations. This new law also penalizes a Notary for including as an element of the official seal any other information but the Notary’s name and the words “Notary Public” and “State of Hawaii,” but the Attorney General has indicated that this provision will not be enforced, because it conflicts with the new Administrative Rule requiring a commission number in every Notary seal.