HB 5491 Summary

• Revises notary public qualification requirements including application fee of $120 and eliminates replacement certificate fees; allows notaries to update address and name information online rather than filing written notices with the Secretary of State.

• Establishes new trade name certificate system requiring businesses operating under assumed names to file with town clerks; certificates valid for five years and renewable six months before expiration.

• Sets town clerk fees at $20 for trade name application, renewal, amendment, cancellation or other filing related to trade names.

• Prohibits use of Connecticut municipality names in business advertisements unless the business is actually located there or includes complete street address showing actual business location.

• Requires Secretary of State to enhance CONCORD commercial records database by July 1, 2021 to allow public searches for business entity agent information by entering owner, officer or agent name.