2016 -- S 2534

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LC004546

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - NOTARIES PUBLIC AND

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

     Introduced By: Senators Pearson, and Lombardo

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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

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

application to the governor over his or her own signature, stating that he or she is a qualified

elector who is an actual resident of the state of Rhode Island.

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

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

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

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

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

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

the English language and has have sufficient knowledge of the powers and duties pertaining to

that office.

      (c)(b) A member of the Rhode Island bar, and certified public accountants under § 5-3.1-

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

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

accountancy.

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

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

dollars ($80.00).

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - NOTARIES PUBLIC AND

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

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     This act would eliminate the requirement that a notary public be a resident of Rhode

Island.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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