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SB 1946

Notary Public - As introduced, requires the secretary of state to appoint notaries public to commissions in this state; prescribes additional requirements to be commissioned as a notary public in this state. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 16 and Title 23.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Bailey

SB 1946 transfers notary public appointment authority to Tennessee's Secretary of State and imposes new commissioning requirements, potentially centralizing control and affecting notary accessibility.

Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
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Bill Summary · SB 1946

Legislative bill overview

SB 1946 would shift notary public appointment authority to Tennessee's Secretary of State and impose new requirements for notary commissioning. The bill amends existing Tennessee law governing notaries public to establish additional qualifications or procedures for obtaining a notary commission in the state.

Why is this important

Notaries public perform essential legal functions—authenticating signatures, administering oaths, and certifying documents—that affect real estate transactions, financial agreements, and official records. Changing how they're appointed and qualified directly impacts who can perform these services and how accessible notarization remains to the public.

Potential points of contention

  • Centralization of power: Shifting appointment authority from existing channels (likely county clerks or another entity) to the Secretary of State concentrates control and may create bottlenecks or consistency issues across counties
  • Undefined "additional requirements": The bill's language on new qualification standards is vague; stricter requirements could reduce the notary pool, raise costs for applicants, or create barriers to entry
  • Implementation burden: The Secretary of State's office would need resources to manage statewide notary appointments, potentially increasing government costs or processing delays

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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