HB2178 Summary

• Removes notaries public from the requirement to submit resignations to the governor under A.R.S. § 38-294, allowing notaries to resign directly to the secretary of state instead.

• Expands the definition of "satisfactory evidence of identity" for notarization to include inmate identification cards issued by the state department of corrections or county sheriffs.

• Authorizes notary publics to perform notarial acts electronically and accept documents signed with electronic signatures, with rules to be adopted by the secretary of state by December 31, 2019.

• Repeals sections 41-352 through 41-370 (19 sections related to electronic notarization) and creates a new section 41-352 establishing a framework for electronic notarization standards.

• Requires notary publics appointed after the bill's effective date to include their notarial commission number on their official seal, with existing notaries required to update their seals upon reappointment.