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Panel clears technical fixes to online notarization law after questions about platform fees
Summary
AB 19 77, presented for Assemblymember Erwin and sponsored by the Secretary of State, was moved to appropriations. The bill makes technical corrections to California's online notarization framework (SB 696); sponsors defended proposed platform/registration fees as anti-fraud measures and signaled willingness to drop a disputed termination-fee provision.
A presenter for Assemblymember Erwin introduced AB 19 77 as a set of technical corrections to the state's online notarization statute, intended to resolve ambiguities that could hinder implementation of remote online notarization established by SB 696.
Tim Cromartie, Deputy Secretary of State for Legislation, told the committee the Secretary of State's office identified technical inconsistencies, unclear provisions, and operational gaps that would "hinder effective implementation" of the online-notarization framework. He said the bill updates licensing and training requirements and provides guidance on authenticating digital seals to expedite implementation.
Committee members asked about fee provisions that would affect notaries and platform operators. Cromartie explained the relatively high registration and platform fees are intended "to minimize fraud, and to ensure that only legitimate platform operators are registering with the Secretary of State's office." He also said sponsors are willing to remove a provision that would allow charging fees for terminated notarization sessions if that language proves problematic.
A motion to pass AB 19 77 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee was made and seconded; the committee advanced the bill on roll call. The committee recorded general support with at least one recorded 'No' on a later tally for a related consent action.
The bill advances to the Appropriations Committee, and sponsors indicated they will continue stakeholder discussions about fee language and other technical clarifications.
