2005-01-21                     Senate Journal                      Page 0107
SB 72                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 72 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, 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 and Labor and                             
Commerce Committees.                                                                                

2005-01-21                     Senate Journal                      Page 0108
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Office of the Governor                                                          
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 20:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Stevens:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
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 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.                                   
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

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I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely yours,                                                                                    
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor