2012 -- H 7531

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LC01592

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - NOTARY PUBLICS

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives San Bento, Petrarca, Nunes, Keable, and Gallison

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2012

     Referred To: House Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 42-30-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-30 entitled "Notaries

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Public and Justices of the Peace" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     42-30-5. Application for appointment. -- (a) Any qualified elector of this state desiring

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to be appointed a notary public, or a justice of the peace, shall make written application to the

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governor over his or her own signature, stating that he or she is a qualified elector who is an

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actual resident of the state of Rhode Island.

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      (b) Qualification as an elector of the state at the time of making application is to be

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certified to by a member of the board of canvassers and registration, in cities having such boards,

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or by the city or town clerk of the city or town in which the applicant claims a right to vote, and

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except for members of the bar of this state, the member of the board of canvassers and

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registration or the city or town clerk shall satisfy himself or herself that the applicant for

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appointment to the office of notary public or justice of the peace can speak, read, and write the

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English language and has sufficient knowledge of the powers and duties pertaining to that office.

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      (c) A member of the Rhode Island bar, and certified public accountants under section 5-

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3.1-5, shall, regardless of residence, be appointed a notary public upon application and

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presentment of a certified copy of his or her certificate of admission to the bar or certificate of

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public accountancy.

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      (d) Any such person making written application to be appointed a notary public or

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justice of the peace shall, at the time of application, pay to the secretary of state the sum of eighty

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dollars ($80.00).

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01592

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - NOTARY PUBLICS

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     This act would allow certified public accountants to apply to become notary publics

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regardless of residency.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01592

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H7531