This bill:

• defines terms;
• modifies requirements for providing satisfactory evidence of identity;
• for a notary who, on or after May 6, 2026, receives a notary commission, or receives a new notary commission:
  • implements a requirement for the notary to keep a journal; and
  • modifies requirements for the content of a journal;
• modifies requirements relating to the retention of a journal or an electronic recording of a remote notarization;
• provides that a journal or an electronic recording of a remote notarization are not records under the Government Records Access and Management Act;
• describes the circumstances under which a journal may be inspected;
• makes it a crime to, without legal authority, use, forge, or take certain other actions in relation to a notarization, a journal, an official seal, or other items relating to notarization;
• describes the action that a notary is required to take upon discovery of:
  • a crime described in this bill; or
  • the loss, damage, or destruction of a journal or related items;
• exempts attorneys, law firms, and title agencies from certain requirements relating to a journal; and
• makes technical and conforming changes.