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SB317-SSA1,4,224 140.02 (1) (a) The secretary of financial institutions department shall appoint
25notaries public who shall be United States residents and at least 18 years of age.

1Applicants who are not attorneys shall file an application with the department of
2financial institutions
and pay a $20 fee.
SB317-SSA1,4,63 (b) The secretary of financial institutions department shall satisfy himself or
4herself
itself that the applicant has the equivalent of an 8th grade education, is
5familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a notary public and, subject to ss.
6111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, does not have an arrest or conviction record.
SB317-SSA1,4,107 (d) Qualified applicants shall be notified by the department of financial
8institutions
to take and file the official oath and execute and file an official bond in
9the sum of $500, with a surety executed by a surety company and approved by the
10secretary of financial institutions department.
SB317-SSA1,4,1311 (e) The qualified applicant shall file his or her signature, post-office address,
12and an impression of his or her official seal, or imprint of his or her official rubber
13stamp, with the department of financial institutions.
SB317-SSA1,4,1614 (g) At least 30 days before the expiration of a commission the department of
15financial institutions
shall mail provide notice of the expiration date to the holder of
16a commission.
SB317-SSA1,9 17Section 9. 137.01 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (2) and amended
18to read:
SB317-SSA1,4,2519 140.02 (2) Notaries public who are attorneys. (a) Except as provided in par.
20(am), any United States resident who is licensed to practice law in this state is
21entitled to a permanent commission as a notary public upon application to the
22department of financial institutions and payment of a $50 fee. The application shall
23include a certificate of good standing from the supreme court, the signature and
24post-office address of the applicant and an impression of the applicant's official seal,
25or imprint of the applicant's official rubber stamp.
SB317-SSA1,5,8
1(am) If a United States resident has his or her license to practice law in this
2state suspended or revoked, upon reinstatement of his or her license to practice law
3in this state, the person may be entitled to receive a certificate of appointment as a
4notary public for a term of 4 years. An eligible notary appointed under this
5paragraph is entitled to reappointment for 4-year increments. At least 30 days
6before the expiration of a commission under this paragraph the department of
7financial institutions
shall mail provide notice of the expiration date to the holder of
8the commission.
SB317-SSA1,5,129 (b) The secretary of financial institutions department shall issue a certificate
10of appointment as a notary public to persons who qualify under the requirements of
11this subsection. The certificate shall state that the notary commission is permanent
12or is for 4 years.
SB317-SSA1,5,1613 (c) The supreme court shall file with the department of financial institutions
14notice of the surrender, suspension, or revocation of the license to practice law of any
15attorney who holds a permanent commission as a notary public. Such notice shall
16be deemed a revocation of said commission.
SB317-SSA1,10 17Section 10 . 137.01 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (3), and 140.02 (3)
18(a), as renumbered, is amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,5,2519 140.02 (3) (a) Except as authorized in s. 137.19, and except as provided in s.
20140.17,
every notary public shall provide an engraved official seal which makes a
21distinct and legible impression or official rubber stamp which makes a distinct and
22legible imprint on paper. The impression of the seal or the imprint of the rubber
23stamp shall state only the following: “Notary Public," “State of Wisconsin" and the
24name of the notary. But any notarial seal in use on August 1, 1959, shall be
25considered in compliance.
SB317-SSA1,11
1Section 11. 137.01 (4) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (4), and 140.02 (4)
2(a) and (b), as renumbered, are amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,6,43 140.02 (4) (a) Every official act of a notary public shall be attested by the notary
4public's written signature or electronic signature, as defined in s. 137.11 (8).
SB317-SSA1,6,125 (b) Except as authorized in s. 137.19, and except when a notary public properly
6uses an official stamp under s. 140.17,
all certificates of acknowledgments of deeds
7and other conveyances, or any written instrument required or authorized by law to
8be acknowledged or sworn to before any notary public, within this state, shall be
9attested by a clear impression of the official seal or imprint of the rubber stamp of
10said officer, and in addition thereto shall be written or stamped either the day, month
11and year when the commission of said notary public will expire, or that such
12commission is permanent.
SB317-SSA1,12 13Section 12. 137.01 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (5).
SB317-SSA1,13 14Section 13 . 137.01 (5m) (title) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (5m)
15(title).
SB317-SSA1,14 16Section 14 . 137.01 (5m) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (5m) (b) and
17amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,7,518 140.02 (5m) (b) Except as provided in par. (b) (c), a notary public or any provider
19of communication technology
shall keep confidential all documents and information
20provided to the notary public or provider of communication technology or contained
21in any documents reviewed by the notary public or provider of communication
22technology
while performing his or, her, or its duties as a notary public or provider
23of communication technology
and may release the documents or the information to
24a 3rd person only with the separate written consent , independent from any other
25consent, permission, disclosure, or acknowledgement, in a manner consistent with

1applicable law,
of the person who requested the services of the notary public or the
2provider of communication technology. The prohibition under this paragraph does
3not apply when the notary public or the provider of communication technology is
4complying with a request from a regulatory agency or supervisory agency or is
5responding to a lawful subpoena or court order
.
SB317-SSA1,15 6Section 15 . 137.01 (5m) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (5m) (c) 1. and
7amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,7,108 140.02 (5m) (c) 1. Deposition A notary public or provider of communication
9technology may release deposition
transcripts may be released to all parties of record
10in an action. A
SB317-SSA1,7,15 112. Subject to subd. 1., a notary public or provider of communication technology
12may not release deposition transcripts that have not been made part of the public
13record to a 3rd party without the written consent of all parties to the action and the
14deponent unless required by a regulatory agency or supervisory agency or in
15response to a lawful subpoena or court order
.
SB317-SSA1,7,20 163. When a deposition transcript has been made part of the public record, a
17notary public who is also a court reporter may, subject to a protective order or
18agreement to the contrary, release the deposition transcript or sell the transcript to
193rd parties without the consent of the person who requested the services of the notary
20public.
SB317-SSA1,16 21Section 16 . 137.01 (5m) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (5m) (d) and
22amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,7,2523 140.02 (5m) (d) Any notary public or provider of communication technology
24violating this subsection shall be subject to the provisions of sub. (8) and may be
25required to forfeit not more than $500 for each violation.
SB317-SSA1,17
1Section 17. 137.01 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (6), and 140.02 (6)
2(a), as renumbered, is amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,8,53 140.02 (6) (a) The secretary of financial institutions department may certify
4to the official qualifications of any notary public and to the genuineness of the notary
5public's signature and seal or rubber stamp.
SB317-SSA1,18 6Section 18. 137.01 (6m) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (6m) and
7amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,8,118 140.02 (6m) Change of residence. A notary public does not vacate his or her
9office by reason of his or her change of residence within the United States. Written
10notice of any change of address shall be given to the department of financial
11institutions
within 10 days of the change.
SB317-SSA1,19 12Section 19. 137.01 (7) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (7) and amended
13to read:
SB317-SSA1,8,2314 140.02 (7) Official records to be filed. When any notary public ceases to hold
15office, the notary public, or in case of the notary public's death the notary public's
16personal representative, shall deposit the notary public's official records and papers
17with the department of financial institutions. If the notary or personal
18representative, after the records and papers come to his or her hands, neglects for
193 months to deposit them, he or she shall forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $500.
20If any person knowingly destroys, defaces, or conceals any records or papers of any
21notary public, the person shall forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $500, and shall
22be liable for all damages resulting to the party injured. The department of financial
23institutions
shall receive and safely keep all such papers and records.
SB317-SSA1,20 24Section 20. 137.01 (8) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (8).
SB317-SSA1,21 25Section 21 . 137.01 (9) (title) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (9) (title).
SB317-SSA1,22
1Section 22. 137.01 (9) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (9), and 140.02 (9)
2(intro.), as renumbered, is amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,9,53 140.02 (9) Fees. (intro.) A Except when the department has established
4different fees as provided in s. 140.27 (1) (a) 1., a
notary public shall be allowed the
5following fees:
SB317-SSA1,23 6Section 23. 137.02 of the statutes is repealed.
SB317-SSA1,24 7Section 24. Subchapter II (title) of chapter 137 [precedes 137.11] of the
8statutes is repealed.
SB317-SSA1,25 9Section 25 . 137.11 (intro.) and (4) of the statutes are amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,9,10 10137.11 Definitions. (intro.) In this subchapter chapter:
SB317-SSA1,9,12 11(4) “Contract" means the total legal obligation resulting from the parties'
12agreement as affected by this subchapter chapter and other applicable law.
SB317-SSA1,26 13Section 26 . 137.12 (1), (2) (intro.), (2m) (intro.), (2p), (2r) (intro.), (3), (4), (5)
14and (6) of the statutes are amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,9,1715 137.12 (1) Except as otherwise provided in sub. (2) and except in ss. 137.25 and
16137.26, this subchapter chapter applies to electronic records and electronic
17signatures relating to a transaction.
SB317-SSA1,9,19 18(2) (intro.) Except as otherwise provided in sub. (3), this subchapter chapter
19does not apply to a transaction to the extent it is governed by:
SB317-SSA1,9,21 20(2m) (intro.) This subchapter chapter does not apply to any of the following
21records or any transaction evidenced by any of the following records:
SB317-SSA1,9,25 22(2p) This subchapter chapter applies to a transaction governed by the federal
23Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 USC 7001, et seq.,
24but this subchapter chapter is not intended to limit, modify, or supersede 15 USC
257001
(c).
SB317-SSA1,10,3
1(2r) (intro.) To the extent that it is excluded from the scope of 15 USC 7003, this
2subchapter chapter does not apply to a notice to the extent that it is governed by a
3law requiring the furnishing of any notice of:
SB317-SSA1,10,7 4(3) This subchapter chapter applies to an electronic record or electronic
5signature otherwise excluded from the application of this subchapter chapter under
6subs. (2), (2m), and (2r) to the extent it is governed by a law other than those specified
7in subs. (2), (2m), and (2r).
SB317-SSA1,10,9 8(4) A transaction subject to this subchapter chapter is also subject to other
9applicable substantive law.
SB317-SSA1,10,11 10(5) This subchapter chapter applies to the state of Wisconsin, unless otherwise
11expressly provided.
SB317-SSA1,10,13 12(6) To the extent there is a conflict between this subchapter chapter and ch. 407,
13ch. 407 governs.
SB317-SSA1,27 14Section 27 . 137.13 (1), (2), (4) and (5) of the statutes are amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,10,1715 137.13 (1) This subchapter chapter does not require a record or signature to
16be created, generated, sent, communicated, received, stored, or otherwise processed
17or used by electronic means or in electronic form.
SB317-SSA1,10,21 18(2) This subchapter chapter applies only to transactions between parties each
19of which has agreed to conduct transactions by electronic means. Whether the
20parties agree to conduct a transaction by electronic means is determined from the
21context and surrounding circumstances, including the parties' conduct.
SB317-SSA1,11,2 22(4) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter chapter, the effect of any
23provision of this subchapter chapter may be varied by agreement. Use of the words
24“unless otherwise agreed," or words of similar import, in this subchapter chapter

1shall not be interpreted to preclude other provisions of this subchapter chapter from
2being varied by agreement.
SB317-SSA1,11,4 3(5) Whether an electronic record or electronic signature has legal consequences
4is determined by this subchapter chapter and other applicable law.
SB317-SSA1,28 5Section 28 . 137.14 (intro.) and (3) of the statutes are amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,11,7 6137.14 Construction. (intro.) This subchapter chapter shall be construed
7and applied:
SB317-SSA1,11,11 8(3) To effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to
9the subject of this subchapter chapter among states enacting laws substantially
10similar to the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as approved and recommended
11by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 1999.
SB317-SSA1,29 12Section 29 . 137.16 (2) (intro.) and (4) (a) and (b) of the statutes are amended
13to read:
SB317-SSA1,11,1714 137.16 (2) (intro.) If a law other than this subchapter chapter requires a record
15to be posted or displayed in a certain manner, to be sent, communicated, or
16transmitted by a specified method, or to contain information that is formatted in a
17certain manner, then:
SB317-SSA1,11,22 18(4) (a) To the extent a law other than this subchapter chapter requires
19information to be provided, sent, or delivered in writing but permits that
20requirement to be varied by agreement, the requirement under sub. (1) that the
21information be in the form of an electronic record capable of retention may also be
22varied by agreement; and
SB317-SSA1,11,2523 (b) A requirement under a law other than this subchapter chapter to send,
24communicate, or transmit a record by 1st-class or regular mail or with postage
25prepaid may be varied by agreement to the extent permitted by the other law.
SB317-SSA1,30
1Section 30. 137.20 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB317-SSA1,12,52 137.20 (7) The public records board may promulgate rules prescribing
3standards consistent with this subchapter chapter for retention of records by state
4agencies, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority and local
5governmental units.
SB317-SSA1,31 6Section 31 . Chapter 140 (title) of the statutes is created to read:
SB317-SSA1,12,77 CHAPTER 140
SB317-SSA1,12,88 NOTARIES PUBLIC; NOTARIAL ACTs
SB317-SSA1,32 9Section 32 . 140.01 of the statutes is created to read:
SB317-SSA1,12,10 10140.01 Definitions. In this chapter:
SB317-SSA1,12,15 11(1) “Acknowledgment” means a declaration by an individual before a notarial
12officer that the individual has signed a record for the purpose stated in the record
13and, if the record is signed in a representative capacity, that the individual signed
14the record with proper authority and signed it as the act of the individual or entity
15identified in the record.
SB317-SSA1,12,16 16(2) “Department” means the department of financial institutions.
SB317-SSA1,12,17 17(3) “Domestic partner" has the meaning given in s. 770.01 (1).
SB317-SSA1,12,19 18(4) “Electronic” means relating to technology having electrical, digital,
19magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.
SB317-SSA1,12,22 20(5) “Electronic signature” means an electronic symbol, sound, or process
21attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by an
22individual with the intent to sign the record.
SB317-SSA1,12,23 23(6) “In a representative capacity” means acting as any of the following:
SB317-SSA1,12,2524 (a) An authorized officer, agent, partner, trustee, or other representative for a
25person other than an individual.
SB317-SSA1,13,2
1(b) A public officer, personal representative, guardian, or other representative,
2in the capacity stated in a record.
SB317-SSA1,13,33 (c) An agent or attorney-in-fact for a principal.
SB317-SSA1,13,44 (d) An authorized representative of another in any other capacity.
SB317-SSA1,13,9 5(7) “Notarial act” means an act, whether performed with respect to a tangible
6or electronic record, that a notarial officer may perform under the law of this state.
7The term includes taking an acknowledgment, administering an oath or affirmation,
8taking a verification on oath or affirmation, witnessing or attesting a signature,
9certifying or attesting a copy, and noting a protest of a negotiable instrument.
SB317-SSA1,13,11 10(8) “Notarial officer” means a notary public or other individual authorized to
11perform a notarial act.
SB317-SSA1,13,13 12(9) “Notary public” means an individual commissioned to perform a notarial
13act.
SB317-SSA1,13,16 14(10) “Official stamp” means a physical image affixed to or embossed on a
15tangible record or an electronic image attached to or logically associated with an
16electronic record.
SB317-SSA1,13,20 17(11) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust,
18estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture,
19public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or
20instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity.
SB317-SSA1,13,22 21(12) “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that
22is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
SB317-SSA1,13,24 23(13) “Sign” means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record, any
24of the following:
SB317-SSA1,13,2525 (a) To execute or adopt a tangible symbol.
SB317-SSA1,14,2
1(b) To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol,
2sound, or process.
SB317-SSA1,14,4 3(14) “Signature” means a tangible symbol or an electronic signature that
4evidences the signing of a record.
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