SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5081

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Senate, February 23, 2017

Title: An act relating to adoption of the revised uniform law on notarial acts.

Brief Description: Adopting the revised uniform law on notarial acts.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Pedersen and Miloscia; by request of Uniform Law Commission).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 1/31/17, 2/08/17 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/23/17, 48-1.

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

  • Adopts uniform processes for notarial acts.

  • Repeals and replaces dated notary public laws.

  • Defines and creates a license endorsement for an "electronic records notary public."

  • Prohibits notaries from providing legal advice or representing a person in an immigration proceeding, excepting licensed attorneys and limited license legal technicians acting within the scope of their license.

  • Encourages but does not require a notary to keep a journal of all notarial acts performed.

  • Does not require notary applicants and renewing notaries to pass a course or exam.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5081 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Padden, Chair; O'Ban, Vice Chair; Pedersen, Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Darneille, Frockt and Wilson.

Staff: Tim Ford (786-7423)

Background: A notary public witnesses a transaction and preserves the integrity and reliability of the transaction with a notarized document.  Under current law, notarial acts include taking an acknowledgement, administering an oath, witnessing a signature, or certifying a copy or act.  A notary must adhere to standards such as determining and certifying, either from personal knowledge or from satisfactory evidence, that the person appearing before the notary is the person signing a document.  The notarial act must be evidenced on a certificate signed and dated by the notary and accompanied by an impression of the official seal or stamp.  Notaries are appointed and regulated by the Department of Licensing (DOL), may charge fees set by DOL, and are subject to revocation of appointment for incompetency, or criminal penalties for official misconduct. 

In 1982, the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) produced the original Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (ULONA).  It replaced the 1892 uniform law, the Uniform Acknowledgement Act.  In 1985, Washington adopted the original ULONA.  Use of electronic records in commerce and other advancing technologies have led to variations among states in notarial practice and in the state regulation of notary practice.  The variability of the states' laws affects interstate commercial and lending transactions.  Particularly for negotiated instruments and banking transactions, Washington's Department of Licensing (DOL) receives improper protests which result in sanctions for notaries who are unaware of protest requirements. 

In 2010, the ULC updated and modernized the ULONA producing the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA).  The revision updates the provisions on notary responsibilities, electronic recording, interstate recognition, and remedies.  RULONA contains provisions which:

RULONA has been adopted by Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, Iowa, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.  Georgia and New Jersey have introduced bills adopting RULONA.

Summary of First Substitute Bill: The bill is substantially similar to RULONA.  A few key provisions of the bill make the following changes to law:

Differences in the bill as compared to RULONA are the removal of a requirement to maintain a journal of all notarial acts that is replaced by non-mandatory language where a notary is encouraged to keep and maintain a journal, an exception from prohibited acts for limited license legal technicians acting within the scope of their license, and removal of DOL authority to require applicants and renewals to pass a course or exam.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2018.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Proposed Substitute: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: The bill largely modernizes the notary act. The proposed substitute bill is generally acceptable, but there are some suggestions for improving the bill. The proposed substitute prohibits a notary from notarizing the signature of an in-law or step relative which the Uniform Law Commission version of the RULONA does not prohibit. The ULC's version is preferred. The bills broader prohibitions may adversely affect small family-run solo shops and low income families by increasing costs associated with notarizing documents. Many members of the public use a notary they know when a notary is needed. It is often someone with whom the individual already has a business relationship such as a bank employee or law firm staff. A publicly available electronic notary database may disrupt established business relationships between notaries and clients. Where there are exceptions in the bill for attorneys, we suggest the bill to add Washington-licensed limited license legal technicians (LLLTs) to the attorney exceptions where appropriate. We are saddened by removal of the journal requirement from the original bill because a journal is the best defense for notaries against fraud resulting from unauthorized use of unsecured notary stamps in a workplace. Sometimes the only thing that protects the notary is their journal entry. There is a notary register maintained by DOL so the concerns expressed about the public's use of the registry may not a significant problem.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Rochelle Haller, WSBA Elder Law Section; Rebecca Jacob, Attorney and Notary Supply of Washington Inc.; Stephanie Sams, WA Dept. of Licensing.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.