Bill
Bill > HB289
summary
Introduced
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
In Committee
03/06/2026
03/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 and Article 1 of Chapter 17 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to clerks of superior courts and general provisions regarding notaries public, respectively, so as to provide for remote online notaries public and remote online notarizations; to revise and provide for definitions; to revise the powers of the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority; to provide for requirements for remote online notaries public and remote online notarization; to provide that the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority may adopt certain standards for remote online notarization; to provide for application and appointment as a remote online notary public; to provide requirements for electronic journaling; to amend Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10, Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 44 and Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," recording of deeds and other real property transactions and inspection of public records, respectively, so as to provide for an unfair or deceptive practice in consumer transactions in the recording of certain residential real estate documents; to revise recordation standards for deeds and other real property transactions requiring an official and an unofficial witness; to provide for the electronic execution of instruments, documents, deeds, and real estate documents; to provide that certain records of remote online H. B. 289 (SUB) notarization processes shall not be subject to public disclosure; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes provisions for remote online notaries public and remote online notarizations, which allow notaries to perform notarizations for individuals who are not physically present using communication technology. It defines key terms such as "communication technology," "credential analysis," and "identity proofing" to ensure secure and verifiable remote notarizations. The bill also outlines requirements for remote online notaries, including completing a course and passing an exam, and specifies that the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority will adopt standards for these remote notarizations, considering national guidelines. Additionally, it addresses the electronic execution of documents, revises standards for recording real estate transactions, and clarifies that recordings of remote online notarization processes will not be subject to public disclosure.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (6)
Chuck Efstration (R)*,
Stacey Evans (D)*,
Joseph Gullett (R)*,
Scott Holcomb (D)*,
Todd Jones (R)*,
Bruce Williamson (R)*,
Last Action
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (on 03/06/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69957 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/245197 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/231509 |
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