Bill > SB1946

This bill, concerning notaries public in Tennessee, mandates that the Secretary of State appoint individuals to notary commissions after they meet new requirements, including completing a six-hour approved basic education course and passing an examination, unless they are attorneys or already hold a commission. Applicants must submit a detailed application to the Secretary of State, which is then sent to the county commission for a review of character and fitness, requiring a certificate of competency from the county commission's chair before the Secretary of State can approve the application. The bill also increases the maximum penalty for certain notary offenses from $10,000 to $50,000, clarifies that existing rules apply to notarizations where the signatory is physically present with the notary, and introduces new requirements for notaries to maintain a record of all notarizations for at least five years, detailing information like the date, time, type of act, document description, principal's information, and proof of identity. Furthermore, it defines what constitutes personal knowledge or satisfactory proof of an individual's identity, allowing notaries to request additional identification if needed, and grants notaries the authority to refuse a notarial act if they are not satisfied with the individual's competency, voluntary consent, or if they cannot sufficiently identify the person, or if the individual refuses to pay applicable fees. The Secretary of State is also tasked with creating an official study guide for the notary exam and promulgating necessary rules.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1946&ga=114