Bill > SB2782

This bill aims to combat deed fraud by empowering the Bureau of Conveyances to take specific actions when a recorded document is found to have been improperly notarized. If a purported notary public attests that their notarial act or seal was used fraudulently on a recorded deed or interest in real property, the Bureau of Conveyances will notify the affected parties. These affected parties will then have the right to void the fraudulently notarized document. Additionally, title holders will be able to temporarily suspend any further recordings on their property title, meaning new documents affecting their title cannot be recorded unless they give prior authorization, with exceptions for liens or judgments against the property or title holder, and this suspension will automatically be lifted if the property is foreclosed upon. The bill also clarifies that while a notary's failure to follow certain procedures doesn't automatically invalidate a notarial act, it doesn't prevent someone from challenging the underlying document or transaction, and it specifically adds the new provisions regarding fraudulent notarial acts to the existing law governing the validity of notarial acts. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2050.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2782&year=2026