Aderholt Introduces Bill To Help Small Business

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CONGRESSMAN ADERHOLT INTRODUCES BILL TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS WITH NOTARY RECOGNITION

Legislation Will Help Those Who Do Business Across State Lines

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) introduced legislation on Wednesday in the House of Representatives that will address problems dealing with the recognition of notarizations across state lines.

This bill, the “Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2009” (H.R. 3808), previously passed the House of Representatives during the last Congressional Session on July 17, 2007. However, the legislation was not taken up by the Senate in the 110th Session of Congress.

“This legislation would eliminate the confusion which arises when states refuse to acknowledge the integrity of documents notarized out-of-state. This issue continues to be a problem for businesses and individuals who engage in business across state lines,” said Congressman Aderholt. “This legislation offers a commonsense solution to a problem that is more widespread than is generally recognized.”

This legislation would require that documents be recognized in any state or federal court if the subject affects interstate commerce and the document is duly notarized by seal or if a seal is tagged to an electronic document. The bill does not preclude the challenge of a notarized document, such as a will contest.

Currently, each state is responsible for regulating its notaries. Typically, someone who wishes to become a notary pays a fee, submits an application and takes an oath of office. Some states require applicants to enroll in an educational course, pass an exam, and obtain a notary bond. This legislation does not change how the individual states regulate notaries in any manner.

The “Interstate Recognition of Notarizations (IRON) Act of 2009” is expected to be referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Representatives Artur Davis (D-AL), Bruce Braley (D-IA) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) are original cosponsors of this bill.

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Congressman Robert Aderholt is serving his seventh term as the U.S. Representative of the Fourth Congressional District of Alabama. Rep. Aderholt serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, and a member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee. Rep. Aderholt also serves on the House Budget Committee and the Helsinki Commission.