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AB 189

Revises provisions relating to notaries public. (BDR 19-879)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gregory Koenig

Defines oaths and affirmations as legally equivalent and allows them to be given in writing, orally, or via other approved communication methods for notarial acts.

(Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.3, no further action allowed.)
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Bill Summary · AB 189

AB 189 — Revises provisions relating to notaries public (BDR 19‑879)

Sponsor: Assemblymember Koenig | Prefiled: Feb 3, 2025 | Introduced: Jan 8, 2025

Purpose / Intent

AB 189 clarifies and modernizes how notarial officers may administer oaths and affirmations. It (1) defines “oath” and “affirmation,” (2) makes clear an oath and an affirmation are legally equivalent, and (3) permits those declarations to be made in writing, orally, or by other equivalent communication modes consistent with applicable law and procedural rules.

Key provisions

  • Adds new sections to Chapter 240 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 240) and amends NRS 240.001 to incorporate the new definitions and rules.
  • Defines:
    • “Affirmation” as “a solemn and formal declaration, equivalent in nature to an oath, which asserts that a statement or series of statements is true.”
    • “Oath” as “an outward pledge … signifying that the attestation or promise of the person is given under an immediate sense of responsibility to a higher power or God,” and includes attestation made under conscience to perform faithfully and truthfully.
  • Establishes that whenever an oath or affirmation is required:
    • A person may provide either an oath or an affirmation.
    • An oath and an affirmation have the same legal effect.
  • Permits an oath or affirmation to be provided in writing, orally, or by any other equivalent communication mode (explicitly referencing communication modes defined elsewhere in statute), provided it complies with applicable law, regulation, or procedural rules.
  • Specifies that a notarial officer may administer an oath or affirmation under these rules, including for:
    • Testimony in legal proceedings (pretrial hearings, examinations, depositions, etc.).
    • Assumption of an office or duties that mandate such a pledge.
  • Makes the new definitions and rules applicable to other existing statutes that apply to notarial officers.

Who is affected

  • Notarial officers (notaries public) and the persons who appear before them.
  • Courts, administrative bodies, public offices, and any entities or proceedings that require oaths or affirmations (e.g., testimony, sworn filings, assumption of public office).
  • May benefit individuals with religious objections or those who rely on nonverbal or alternative communication methods by formally recognizing equivalence and broader communication modes.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes state: No effect on local government; No effect on the State.

Legislative timeline & status

  • Introduced/first read: Jan 8, 2025. Prefiled Feb 3, 2025.
  • Assembly actions: Passed Assembly (Mar 20, 2025 — Ayes 53, Noes 17); subsequent readings and approvals recorded in April 2025.
  • Senate actions: Read and referred to committees in March–April 2025.
  • Final recorded action: May 17, 2025 — “Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.3, no further action allowed.”
    • This status indicates the bill did not proceed further within the legislative deadlines and therefore did not become law during the 2025 session as of that date.

If you want, I can extract the exact statutory language added by the bill or compare these changes to current NRS 240 provisions.

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

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