Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1059, the SECURE Notarization Act, which I have had the pleasure to work on with Representative Armstrong from North Dakota.

The SECURE Notarization Act would authorize nationwide use of remote online notarization and would include key consumer protections such as multifactor authentication and the use of tamper-evident technology. The bill would also ensure interstate recognition of remote online notarization.

Importantly, the SECURE Notarization Act sets a floor for the use of remote online notarization and States will be able to regulate further protections as they decide.

The pandemic taught us both the necessity and the benefits of new technologies used to streamline services for consumers across industries.

Remote online notarization has been and should continue to be a time- saving, convenient, and safe way for consumers to execute important documents.

Notarizations are used extensively, as we all know, in real estate transactions and other key areas, including affidavits, powers of attorney, and living trusts. Remote online notarizations allow the consumer, the notary, and other parties to a transaction to be in different locations using two-way, audiovisual communication to securely notarize documents.

This process provides consumers and businesses with much-needed flexibility. This is the key.

Remote online notarization allows flexibility for people who are chronically ill or immobile, for parents who can't get away from work or taking care of children, for servicemembers abroad seeking to buy a home or correct their wills.

I know well the impact this bill could have for notaries public across the country. When I served as a State representative, most members of our team were notaries and our office served as a notary hub for the local community. We learned firsthand how many people struggled to find time for appointments often because of childcare, transportation, or because of poor health.

Remote online notarization would have allowed us to streamline our performance and better provide service to our community.

Last Congress, as has been stated, this bill was cosponsored by more than 120 Members and passed the House by a vote of 336-90. It is supported by a coalition of 20 industry partners. Simply, it is a commonsense piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Pallone for their support for this bill and for bringing it to the floor.

Finally, I thank the lead on this legislation, Congressman Kelly Armstrong, for all his hard work and good humor as we work to get this bill across the finish line, as well as the work of his staff in helping make this a strong piece of bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

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