Senate Bill 1946 aims to modernize and strengthen the requirements for becoming a notary public in Tennessee in response to an increase in fraudulent document filings. The bill introduces several new provisions, including mandatory completion of a notary public basic education course and a written examination for applicants, both of which must be approved by the Secretary of State. Additionally, the bill requires applicants to submit a sworn statement under penalty of perjury regarding their qualifications and background, including citizenship status and any prior misconduct. The bill also increases the bond amount required for notaries from $10,000 to $50,000.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that notaries maintain a detailed record of all notarizations, including the date, type of notarial act, and identification evidence for each principal involved. It specifies acceptable forms of identification and allows notaries to refuse to perform notarial acts if they are not satisfied with the individual's competency or identification. The Secretary of State is tasked with creating rules to implement these changes, which will take effect upon becoming law for administrative purposes, while the full provisions will be effective starting January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 8-16-101, 8-16-104, 8-16-106, 8-16-112