This bill amends several sections of Louisiana law regarding the bonds required for notaries public. It increases the bond amount from ten thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars and removes the option for notaries to maintain errors and omissions insurance as an alternative to posting a bond. The bill also establishes new filing requirements for notaries, mandating that they file their bonds with the Secretary of State and clarifying that bonds signed by authorized surety companies do not need to be recorded with the clerk of court. Additionally, it repeals a previous statute (R.S. 39:342) related to notarial bonds.

The bill further clarifies that a notarial commission that is suspended will not be deemed invalid solely due to the suspension. It also specifies that the bond must be filed with the Secretary of State along with a certificate of competency. The changes are set to take effect on February 1, 2026. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the requirements for notaries public while ensuring a higher level of financial responsibility through increased bond amounts.

Statutes affected:
HB259 Original: 35:71(A)(1), 35:191(A)(3), 35:192(A), 35:201(A)(3), 35:391(6), 35:412(C)
HB259 Engrossed: 35:71(A), 35:191(A)(3), 35:192(A), 35:201(A)(3), 35:391(6), 35:412(C)
HB259 Reengrossed: 35:71(A), 35:191(A)(3), 35:192(A), 35:201(A)(3), 35:391(6), 35:412(C)
HB259 Enrolled: 35:71(A), 35:191(A)(3), 35:192(A), 35:201(A)(3), 35:391(6), 35:412(C)
HB259 Act 258: 35:71(A), 35:191(A)(3), 35:192(A), 35:201(A)(3), 35:391(6), 35:412(C)