Amendment SSA1-SB317

LRBs0145/1

ARG:amn

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

SENATE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO SENATE BILL 317

October 28, 2019 - Offered by Senator Olsen.

SB317-SSA1,2,7 An Act to repeal subchapter I (title) of chapter 137 [precedes 137.01], 137.02, subchapter II (title) of chapter 137 [precedes 137.11] and 706.07; to renumber 137.01 (title), 137.01 (5), 137.01 (5m) (title), 137.01 (8) and 137.01 (9) (title); to renumber and amend 137.01 (1), 137.01 (2), 137.01 (3), 137.01 (4), 137.01 (5m) (a), 137.01 (5m) (b), 137.01 (5m) (c), 137.01 (6), 137.01 (6m), 137.01 (7) and 137.01 (9); to amend 15.01 (4), 15.185 (title), 20.575 (1) (g), chapter 137 (title), 137.11 (intro.) and (4), 137.12 (1), (2) (intro.), (2m) (intro.), (2p), (2r) (intro.), (3), (4), (5) and (6), 137.13 (1), (2), (4) and (5), 137.14 (intro.) and (3), 137.16 (2) (intro.) and (4) (a) and (b), 137.20 (7), 236.21 (2) (a), 236.295 (1) (b), 244.05, 244.19 (1), 407.103 (4), 610.60 (2) (a), 703.33 (9), 706.05 (2) (b), 706.05 (8), 706.06 (1), 706.085 (2) (a), 708.15 (10) (g), 801.18 (11) (a), 801.18 (11) (e), 857.015, 867.045 (2), 867.046 (3), 887.01 (1), 887.01 (3), 887.015 (4) (b) 4., 968.12 (2) and 990.01 (38); and to create 15.185 (8), chapter 140 (title), 140.01, 140.02 (5m) (a), 140.04, 140.05, 140.06, 140.07, 140.08, 140.09, 140.10, 140.11, 140.12, 140.13, 140.14, 140.145, 140.15, 140.16, 140.17, 140.18, 140.20, 140.24, 140.26, 140.27, 140.30, 140.31 and 140.34 of the statutes; relating to: adopting provisions of the revised uniform law on notarial acts and repealing a prior uniform law on notarial acts, creating a remote notary council, commissioners of deeds, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB317-SSA1,1 Section 1 . 15.01 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,2,16 15.01 (4) “Council" means a part-time body appointed to function on a continuing basis for the study, and recommendation of solutions and policy alternatives, of the problems arising in a specified functional area of state government, except the council on physical disabilities has the powers and duties specified in s. 46.29 (1) and (2), the state council on alcohol and other drug abuse has the powers and duties specified in s. 14.24, and the electronic recording council has the powers and duties specified in s. 706.25 (4), and the remote notary council has the powers and duties specified in s. 140.145 (11).

SB317-SSA1,2 Section 2 . 15.185 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,2,18 15.185 (title) Same; attached boards and, offices, and councils .

SB317-SSA1,3 Section 3 . 15.185 (8) of the statutes is created to read:

SB317-SSA1,2,21 15.185 (8) Remote notary council. (a) There is created a remote notary council which is attached to the department of financial institutions under s. 15.03.

SB317-SSA1,2,23 (b) The council shall be composed of the following members appointed for 3-year terms:

SB317-SSA1,3,1 1. One member who represents an association of title insurance companies.

SB317-SSA1,3,2 2. One member who represents attorneys who practice real estate law.

SB317-SSA1,3,3 3. One member who represents an association of bankers.

SB317-SSA1,3,5 4. One member who represents the providers of communication technology used to perform a notarial act involving a remotely located individual.

SB317-SSA1,3,6 5. The secretary of financial institutions or the secretary's designee.

SB317-SSA1,4 Section 4. 20.575 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,3,14 20.575 (1) (g) Program fees. The amounts in the schedule for the purpose of carrying out general program operations. Except as provided under par. (ka), all amounts received by the secretary of state, including fees under s. 137.02 and all moneys transferred from the appropriation under s. 20.144 (1) (g), shall be credited to this appropriation. Notwithstanding s. 20.001 (3) (a), any unencumbered balance at the close of a fiscal year exceeding 10 percent of that fiscal year's expenditures under this appropriation shall lapse to the general fund.

SB317-SSA1,5 Section 5. Chapter 137 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,3,18 CHAPTER 137 AUTHENTICATIONS AND ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS AND RECORDS

SB317-SSA1,6 Section 6. Subchapter I (title) of chapter 137 [precedes 137.01] of the statutes is repealed.

SB317-SSA1,7 Section 7. 137.01 (title) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (title).

SB317-SSA1,8 Section 8 . 137.01 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (1), and 140.02 (1) (a), (b), (d), (e) and (g), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,4,2 140.02 (1) (a) The secretary of financial institutions department shall appoint notaries public who shall be United States residents and at least 18 years of age. Applicants who are not attorneys shall file an application with the department of financial institutions and pay a $20 fee.

SB317-SSA1,4,6 (b) The secretary of financial institutions department shall satisfy himself or herself itself that the applicant has the equivalent of an 8th grade education, is familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a notary public and, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, does not have an arrest or conviction record.

SB317-SSA1,4,10 (d) Qualified applicants shall be notified by the department of financial institutions to take and file the official oath and execute and file an official bond in the sum of $500, with a surety executed by a surety company and approved by the secretary of financial institutions department.

SB317-SSA1,4,13 (e) The qualified applicant shall file his or her signature, post-office address, and an impression of his or her official seal, or imprint of his or her official rubber stamp, with the department of financial institutions.

SB317-SSA1,4,16 (g) At least 30 days before the expiration of a commission the department of financial institutions shall mail provide notice of the expiration date to the holder of a commission.

SB317-SSA1,9 Section 9. 137.01 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (2) and amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,4,25 140.02 (2) Notaries public who are attorneys. (a) Except as provided in par. (am), any United States resident who is licensed to practice law in this state is entitled to a permanent commission as a notary public upon application to the department of financial institutions and payment of a $50 fee. The application shall include a certificate of good standing from the supreme court, the signature and post-office address of the applicant and an impression of the applicant's official seal, or imprint of the applicant's official rubber stamp.

SB317-SSA1,5,8 (am) If a United States resident has his or her license to practice law in this state suspended or revoked, upon reinstatement of his or her license to practice law in this state, the person may be entitled to receive a certificate of appointment as a notary public for a term of 4 years. An eligible notary appointed under this paragraph is entitled to reappointment for 4-year increments. At least 30 days before the expiration of a commission under this paragraph the department of financial institutions shall mail provide notice of the expiration date to the holder of the commission.

SB317-SSA1,5,12 (b) The secretary of financial institutions department shall issue a certificate of appointment as a notary public to persons who qualify under the requirements of this subsection. The certificate shall state that the notary commission is permanent or is for 4 years.

SB317-SSA1,5,16 (c) The supreme court shall file with the department of financial institutions notice of the surrender, suspension, or revocation of the license to practice law of any attorney who holds a permanent commission as a notary public. Such notice shall be deemed a revocation of said commission.

SB317-SSA1,10 Section 10 . 137.01 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (3), and 140.02 (3) (a), as renumbered, is amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,5,25 140.02 (3) (a) Except as authorized in s. 137.19, and except as provided in s. 140.17, every notary public shall provide an engraved official seal which makes a distinct and legible impression or official rubber stamp which makes a distinct and legible imprint on paper. The impression of the seal or the imprint of the rubber stamp shall state only the following: “Notary Public," “State of Wisconsin" and the name of the notary. But any notarial seal in use on August 1, 1959, shall be considered in compliance.

SB317-SSA1,11 Section 11. 137.01 (4) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (4), and 140.02 (4) (a) and (b), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,6,4 140.02 (4) (a) Every official act of a notary public shall be attested by the notary public's written signature or electronic signature, as defined in s. 137.11 (8).

SB317-SSA1,6,12 (b) Except as authorized in s. 137.19, and except when a notary public properly uses an official stamp under s. 140.17, all certificates of acknowledgments of deeds and other conveyances, or any written instrument required or authorized by law to be acknowledged or sworn to before any notary public, within this state, shall be attested by a clear impression of the official seal or imprint of the rubber stamp of said officer, and in addition thereto shall be written or stamped either the day, month and year when the commission of said notary public will expire, or that such commission is permanent.

SB317-SSA1,12 Section 12. 137.01 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (5).

SB317-SSA1,13 Section 13 . 137.01 (5m) (title) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (5m) (title).

SB317-SSA1,14 Section 14 . 137.01 (5m) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (5m) (b) and amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,7,5 140.02 (5m) (b) Except as provided in par. (b) (c), a notary public or any provider of communication technology shall keep confidential all documents and information provided to the notary public or provider of communication technology or contained in any documents reviewed by the notary public or provider of communication technology while performing his or, her, or its duties as a notary public or provider of communication technology and may release the documents or the information to a 3rd person only with the separate written consent , independent from any other consent, permission, disclosure, or acknowledgement, in a manner consistent with applicable law, of the person who requested the services of the notary public or the provider of communication technology. The prohibition under this paragraph does not apply when the notary public or the provider of communication technology is complying with a request from a regulatory agency or supervisory agency or is responding to a lawful subpoena or court order.

SB317-SSA1,15 Section 15 . 137.01 (5m) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (5m) (c) 1. and amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,7,10 140.02 (5m) (c) 1. Deposition A notary public or provider of communication technology may release deposition transcripts may be released to all parties of record in an action. A

SB317-SSA1,7,15 2. Subject to subd. 1., a notary public or provider of communication technology may not release deposition transcripts that have not been made part of the public record to a 3rd party without the written consent of all parties to the action and the deponent unless required by a regulatory agency or supervisory agency or in response to a lawful subpoena or court order.

SB317-SSA1,7,20 3. When a deposition transcript has been made part of the public record, a notary public who is also a court reporter may, subject to a protective order or agreement to the contrary, release the deposition transcript or sell the transcript to 3rd parties without the consent of the person who requested the services of the notary public.

SB317-SSA1,16 Section 16 . 137.01 (5m) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 140.02 (5m) (d) and amended to read:

SB317-SSA1,7,25 140.02 (5m) (d) Any notary public or provider of communication technology violating this subsection shall be subject to the provisions of sub. (8) and may be required to forfeit not more than $500 for each violation.