Senate Bill 1946 and House Bill 1923 aim to amend the Tennessee Code regarding notaries public in response to an increase in fraudulent document filings. The bill introduces stricter requirements for becoming a notary, including the successful completion of a notary public basic education course and an examination administered by the secretary of state. Applicants must submit a certificate of completion from an approved course, a sworn statement of their qualifications, and a fee for processing. Additionally, the bill mandates that notaries maintain a detailed record of all notarizations for at least five years, including information about the identity of the individuals involved.

Key changes in the bill include raising the bond amount required for notaries from $10,000 to $50,000 and clarifying that notarizations must occur in the physical presence of the signatory, while remote notarization is governed separately. The bill also establishes guidelines for identifying individuals, allowing notaries to refuse notarization if they are not satisfied with the individual's competency or identification. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law for administrative purposes, with full implementation scheduled for January 1, 2027.

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