Occupations: notaries public; use of communication technology to perform electronic notarizations and remote electronic notarizations; modify and expand. Amends secs. 3, 5, 26, 26a, 26b, & 27 of 2003 PA 238 (MCL 55.263 et seq.); adds sec. 26e & repeals sec. 26d of 2003 PA 238 (MCL 55.286d).

This bill updates Michigan's notary public laws to expand and clarify rules for electronic and remote electronic notarizations. It directly affects notaries public, individuals needing notarized documents, and financial institutions by modifying existing statutes and adding new definitions for terms like communication technology and remote electronic notarization platforms. The key provisions establish requirements for using audio-visual technology to verify identities through credential analysis and identity proofing services, while also defining what constitutes an electronic signature and notarial act in digital formats. These changes aim to modernize how notaries perform their duties using technology without changing the fundamental legal requirements for valid notarizations.