2004-02-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 2088
SB 302                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 302 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act relating to the authority to take oaths,                                          
          affirmations, and acknowledgments in the state;                                           
          relating to notaries public; relating to fees for issuing                                 
          certificates with the seal of the state affixed; and                                      
          providing for an effective date."                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary                             
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Office of the Governor                                                          
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 4:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the authority to take                            
oaths, affirmations, and acknowledgements in the state to notaries                                  
public, and to fees for issuing certificates with the seal of the state                             
affixed.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
The primary purpose of the bill is to comprehensively update AS                                     
44.50, the chapter that governs notaries public, which includes among                               
its provisions qualifications to become a notary public, duties of                                  
notaries public, and liability in the event of misconduct or neglect. AS                            
44.50 has not been comprehensively revised since it was enacted in                                  
1961. Sections 6-13 of the bill would repeal obsolete provisions,                                   
update antiquated language, and add new provisions where needed.                                    

2004-02-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 2089
Similarly, sections 2-4 of the bill would update statutes in AS 09, the                             
Alaska civil code, relating to notaries' responsibilities when                                      
notarizing, verifying, and acknowledging signed instruments.                                        
                                                                                                    
In addition, section 1 of the bill would conform the oath, affirmation,                             
and acknowledgement statute at AS 09.63.010 to existing law. Section                                
5 of the bill would update a statute authorizing the Lieutenant                                     
Governor to collect fees for the issuance of certificates with the seal of                          
the state affixed, increasing the fee to $5 per certificate. Section 14 of                          
the bill provides applicability provisions.                                                         
                                                                                                    
A more detailed description of the bill is found in a sectional analysis                            
of the bill available from the office of the Lieutenant Governor.                                   
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely yours,                                                                                    
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor