Legislative Update – SB 358 Fails to report favorably from House Civil Law & Procedure Committee

Legislative Update – SB 358 Fails to report favorably from House Civil Law & Procedure Committee!

posted May 1, 2018 by Gary M. O'Neal, Jr.

The Louisiana Notary Association (LNA) & its Legislative Team have been following Senate Bill 358 (SB 358) by Senator Jay Luneau throughout the 2018 Regular Legislative Session. This bill would provide for electronic notarial acts in Louisiana. The LNA-along with a host of other trade associations and concerned citizens-has maintained consistent opposition to SB 358. While the LNA agrees with the concept of electronic notarial acts, the LNA does not believe SB 358 provides the necessary legal framework in relation to our unique civil law system here in Louisiana.

After passage on the Senate Side, SB 358 was heard yesterday (April 30th) at the House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure. After two hours of testimony, over 30 amendments submitted at the table (making over 50 amendments in total), questions and answers from both the many opponents and the proponents of the bill, SB 358 failed to report favorably as amended on a 4-3 vote.

While the LNA feels there is a small chance the bill is heard again prior to the end of the 2018 Regular Session, your Legislative Team remains watchful over several additional pieces of legislation that we continue to monitor between now and the conclusion of session. Until then please register for and continue to monitor the LNA Legislative Blog as well as our Facebook page for more information.