2005-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 0130
HB 97                                                                                             
HOUSE BILL NO. 97 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                        
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the authority to take oaths, affirmations, and                             
     acknowledgments in the state, to notarizations, to verifications, to                           
     acknowledgments, to fees for issuing certificates with the seal of                             
     the state affixed, and to notaries public; and providing for an                                
     effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary, and                           
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Office of the Governor                                                                  
                                                                                                    

2005-01-21                     House Journal                      Page 0131
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 20, 2005, follows:                                  
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill relating to the authority to take oaths, affirmations,                          
and acknowledgments in the state, to notarizations, verifications, and                              
acknowledgements, 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 the 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.  These changes will allow the Lieutenant Governor to: focus                                   
attention on web-based education for notaries, allow businesses which                               
employ large groups of notaries to keep track of their terms of office,                             
lay a foundation for e-signatures for the future, and continue to                                   
provide information to notaries without internet access.  Sections 7-14                             
of the bill would repeal obsolete provisions in AS 44.50, update                                    
antiquated language, and add new provisions as needed.                                              
                                                                                                    
Sections 1-5 of the bill would update statutes in AS 09, the Alaska                                 
civil code, relating to the taking of oaths, affirmations, and                                      
acknowledgements and to notaries' responsibilities when notarizing,                                 
verifying, and acknowledging signed instruments.  Section 6 of the bill                             
would change the fee for the lieutenant governor's issuance of a                                    
certificate with the seal of the state affixed.  Sections 15 and 16 of the                          
bill contain applicability and transition provisions, respectively.                                 
                                                                                                    
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"