Commerce Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6604
Title: AN ACT ADOPTING THE REVISED UNIFORM LAW ON NOTARIAL ACTS.
Vote Date: 3/22/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/18/2021
File No.: 311
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Commerce Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
HB 6604 would allow remote online notarizations between a signer and notary along with an
authorized individual such as an attorney, public officer, official guardian, etc.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Denise Merrill, Secretary of the State of Connecticut proposes to adopt the REVISED
UNIFORM LAW ON NOTARIAL ACTS (RULONA) because it is the most comprehensive
template available to balance the need to ensure safety in the notarial process, with the
public demand to do more online. RULONA is also the model endorsed by the National
Association of Secretaries of State.
RULONA is a comprehensive bill that is intended, with some exceptions, to supersede all
state notary law. Indeed, the remote notarization provisions in RULONA make up only about
15% of its language.
The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch has several concerns with HB 6604:
In Section 5 of the bill, we would request that in lieu of notarial officer the term
notary public be used
Additionally, we would respectfully request that all court personnel be exempt from
Section 16

NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Bruce Adams, President & CEO Credit Union League of Connecticut supports HB
6004 because it would permit remote notarizations which will help lead to a more equitable
and inclusive environment for consumers of financial services who may be
immunocompromised or facing other physical challenges.
Nicole Booth, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for Notarize, Inc. supports HB
6604 because of a key component in the bill that would permit remote online notarization,
which would allow a signer and notary to conduct notarizations remotely through multifactor
authentication and a live audio/video recording.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Linda Bulkovitch, Esq does not support allowing remote notarial acts using communication
technology for the making or executing or a Will or a Codicil or for real estate transactions.
Both of these actions require: 1) the signatory to be able to fully and completely understand
what they are executing; 2) that they are doing so as their "free act and deed;" and 3) that
they are doing this with no undue influence by anyone.
Carolyn J. Cavolo, Section Vice Chair of the Connecticut Bar Association Real
Property Law section is in opposition to HB 6604 or any legislation that would allow remote
notarization in real estate transactions. We are in support of Section 15(j) of HB 6604 which
states that A notarial officer located in this state shall not perform a notarial act using
communication technology for a remotely located individual if such notarial act is connected
with a real estate transaction or the making or execution of a will or codicil and we would
oppose any version of HB 6604 that would eliminate this provision.
Connecticut State Representative Jason Doucette is in opposition to HB 6604 because
this bill could represent a radical departure from the way deeds, mortgages and wills are
executed and the way estate planning and real estate closings are conducted in the State of
Connecticut to the detriment of our clients and all our constituents.
The process of remote notarization, while certainly providing some convenience for
consumers, also has the potential to eliminate critical safeguards against fraud and undue
influence in the execution of legal documents. Furthermore, it also has the potential to
encourage people to execute important legal documents without the advice and guidance of
an attorney. This could also invite violation of current law particularly PA 19-88 which
requires an attorney to conduct real estate closings. At a minimum, this bill should be
significantly more explicit to carve out rules for real estate closings pursuant to PA 19-88
Heather Lange and I am the vice chair of the Estates and Probate Section of the
Connecticut Bar Association is in opposition to HB 6604 as we are concerned about CT
notaries being able to notarize for people anywhere in the world and CT residents being able
to have their documents notarized by persons not sanctioned by CT law. Such a relaxation of
the rules does not allow anyone to be sure the documents were executed in accordance with
Connecticut law. We believe that some modifications are required if this legislation is
Page 2 of 3 HB-6604
intended to apply to estate planning documents and is intended to assist the elderly, the
homebound, and those with limited mobility.
Reported by: Jason Snukis Date: April 5, 2021
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Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 3-94b, 3-94c, 3-94d, 3-95, 1-1e