Date: 02/10/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-111

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved that Senate Bill 09-111 be referred to the CPASS


10:01 AM -- Senate Bill 09-111

Senator Bacon, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 09-111, concerning continuation of the Notaries Public Act. He noted that the committee earlier conducted a sunset review on this subject. He commented on law offices that are performing notary services.

The following persons testified on Senate Bill 09-111:

10:07 AM -- Carl Stevens, representing the Colorado Bar Association, supported reauthorization of the Notaries Public Act; however, he noted that he has some problems with the current language of Senate Bill 09-111. He commented on potential penalties that may be imposed under Senate Bill 09-11l. He expressed concern regarding the requirement in Senate Bill 09-111 for attorneys to meet educational standards regarding their notary services. He commented on situations in which a spouse notarizes a document for another spouse.

10:15 AM -- Carol Salter, Longmont, representing herself, commented on journals that are kept by notaries. She said that a notarization aids in the verification of a signatory's identity and makes a record of a legal document. She commented on potential conflicts of interest on the part of a notary.

10:24 AM -- Angela Davidson, representing U.S. Bank, supported Senate Bill 09-111. She commented on losses that were incurred at her bank due to a lack of training on the part of notaries. She said that more than 350 notaries have recently been trained at her banks' branches. She said that training should also be required of attorneys, and that all notaries should be required to maintain a journal. She believes that the state should have consistent, uniform training for all notaries.

10:34 AM -- Mike Shea, Director of Licensing, Secretary of State's Office, commented on potential disqualification of notaries. He said that language concerning disqualification of notaries in Senate Bill 09-111 is taken from the Model Notaries Public Act. He commented on the definition of the term "domestic partner" on page 4 of Senate Bill 09-111. Senator Schultheis said that it is difficult to prove the status of such a person.

10:47 AM -- Brian Tobias, Department of Regulatory Agencies, commented on potential disqualification of notaries in Colorado.
BILL:SB09-111
TIME: 11:02:55 AM
MOVED:Bacon
MOTION:Moved that Senate Bill 09-111 be referred to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 5-0-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Boyd
Yes
Cadman
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Bacon
Yes
Williams
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS
11:03 AM

The committee meeting adjourned.