HLS 11RS-544 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 45
BY REPRESENTATIVES DOERGE AND STIAES
NOTARIES: Creates the Notary Education, Application, and Examination Committee to
study all aspects of notary education, examinations, and applications
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To establish a study committee to study all aspects of notary education, applications, and2
examinations, and to develop recommendations and a plan of implementation3
relative to standards for notary education, applications, and examinations.4
WHEREAS, notaries public for the state of Louisiana perform many important5
duties, many of which are set forth in R.S. 35:2, and these duties far exceed the6
responsibilities of notaries public of the common law states; and7
WHEREAS, due to these extensive duties, it is of great importance to maintain high8
standards of notaries public in Louisiana through the continued improvement of the notary9
examination, instructors, and applicants; and10
WHEREAS, in 2003, the Legislature of Louisiana charged the secretary of state with11
implementing a uniform state notary examination for the improvement of the notary12
examination; and13
WHEREAS, in 2008, the Louisiana Senate adopted Senate Resolution No. 123 to14
study the responsibilities of notaries public in Louisiana; and 15
WHEREAS, in 2008, the Legislature of Louisiana charged the secretary of state with16
developing and administering a program to provide for the registration and reporting of17
persons who provide notary examination preparatory education and instruction for the18
improvement of education and instruction; and19
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana has not authorized the secretary of state to20
develop or implement any standards for those persons registering to provide education to21 HLS 11RS-544 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 45
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notary examination applicants, and the Legislature of Louisiana has not authorized the1
secretary of state to develop or implement any standards for those applying to take the notary2
examination; and3
WHEREAS, in order to continue the improvement of the office of notary public in4
Louisiana, it may be beneficial to study expanding the authority of the secretary of state to5
develop standards for notary examination instructors and applicants; and6
WHEREAS, regardless of any additional authority granted to the secretary of state7
relative to the office of notary public, it may be beneficial to study all aspects of the notary8
education, examination, and application to determine additional ways of improving the9
office of notary public in Louisiana.10
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby11
create the Notary Education, Application, and Examination Committee to study the laws12
relating to the office of notary public and urge this committee to continue the work13
commenced by the Notary Study Committee created by Senate Resolution No. 123 of the14
2008 Regular Session of the Legislature, and to make recommendations to the secretary of15
state and the Legislature of Louisiana to implement changes necessary to improve the office16
of notary public.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall consist of the following18
members:19
(1) The secretary of state or his designee.20
(2) A representative of the Notary Division of the Department of State.21
(3) The attorney general or his designee.22
(4) The chair of the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure or his designee.23
(5) The chair of the Senate Judiciary A Committee or her designee.24
(6) One representative of the Louisiana Notary Association.25
(7) One representative of the Professional Civil Law Notary Association.26
(8) The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs of the Louisiana27
Community and Technical College System or her designee.28
(9) A member of the Louisiana Notary Public Examination Development and29
Evaluation Committee.30 HLS 11RS-544 ORIGINAL
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(10) One representative of the Louisiana State Bar Association.1
(11) Four members appointed by the secretary of state.2
(12) The editor of the Louisiana Notary Public Examination Official Study Guide3
or his designee.4
(13) The director of the Louisiana State University Office of Assessment and5
Evaluation Committee.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chair of the committee shall be appointed7
by the secretary of state.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee at its organizational meeting shall9
elect such other officers as it determines necessary.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the committee shall serve11
without compensation.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any official action of the committee shall require13
affirmative approval of a majority of the quorum present and voting, a majority of the14
appointed members constituting a quorum.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Notary Association shall provide16
a recorder to serve without compensation as is necessary.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall make a written report of its18
findings to the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure and the Senate Committee on19
Judiciary A on or before January 1, 2012.20
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Doerge HCR No. 45
Creates the Notary Education, Application, and Examination Committee to study notary
education, applications, and examinations.