The pandemic highlighted a need for more streamlined, remote service options. We’re excited to report that the U.S. House of Representatives approved via a bipartisan voice vote on Monday, February 27, 2023, the Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote Electronic Notarization Act (SECURE Notarization Act) of 2023 (H.R.1059). Read on to find out more.

What is The SECURE Notarization Act?

Approximately 43 states and D.C. already have legislation for remote online notarizations (RONs) that allow notaries to perform legally approved duties online rather than in person. Yet, various problems exist beyond the lack of nationwide approval. Most states have independent laws around notary-related offline and online document handling and approval processes.

The SECURE Notarization Act is set to change everything by providing a framework for standardized RONs on a national level as part of interstate commerce. It would allow members of the military, others working overseas, senior citizens, caregivers, and people dealing with serious illness to move forward with notarization tasks that traditionally required the face-to-face presence of a notary public. These services are critical in the real estate industry when selling, purchasing, and mortgaging properties.

The basics of the legislation:

– All states and courts within the U.S. must recognize RONs no matter the physical location of the notaries within the country.

– Notaries could “remotely notarize electronic records and perform notarizations for remotely located individuals,” including people in other countries under special circumstances.

– All notaries and others who used the applicable services would have to follow specific technical standards related to communication technologies, including video chat and the “creation and retention” of audio and video recordings.

The CEO and President of Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), CMB Bob Broeksmit, stated that he believes the creation of minimum federal standards with this legislation would allow notaries to perform “safe and effective” RONs in all states. The legislation makes closing processes “more convenient” and “protects against fraud.” He noted that RON standards of the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO) and the MBA-ALTA model state bill are met.

What Exceptions to the Legislation Exist?

The only major exception relates to pre-existing laws. If a state already has a RON law that provides the same or better standards, it would always represent the primary legal guidance, especially if better consumer protection and fraud-prevention standards are offered. At this time, additional exceptions are unknown.

What Happened to the Last Bill?

Although under a previously different majority during the 117th Congress, this is the second time the House approved the SECURE Notarization Act. During the 2021-2022 session, they passed previous H.R.3962 legislation by the same name. The Senate Bill (S. 1625) was also passed on to Committee and stalled earlier this year.

The reintroduction of the Legislation on February 17 by Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., and Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa. and rapid approval within a mere 10 days combined with strong support from sides that have become more partisan over the years is a good sign. Fast approval pressures the Senate to introduce a companion bill and re-address the matter faster.

Final Thoughts

We agree with experts that the failures of the 2021-2022 Senate to pass this eNotarization legislation are unlikely this time around for several reasons:

Consumers, notaries, and industry leaders demand electronic convenience, simplified standards, heightened safety and security, and reduced manual processes that aren’t economically or environmentally sustainable. People are weary of losing time and money to conflicting state standards. They’re also frightened of risks associated with face-to-face transactions. Lastly, for an increasingly stay-at-home market, these changes are critical for equal accessibility.

The post BREAKING: House approves Remote Online Notarization Bill first appeared on titlecapture.com.

Rohit Chopra CFPB Approach: Increased Enforcement and a Shift in Direction

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren proposed and created the CFPB under President Obama in 2010. Rohit Chopra of the CFPB supports Senator Warren, which means he is likely to take the agency in a different direction than former CFPB director Kathy Kraninger.

Kraninger, currently a lobbyist for a cryptocurrency company, preferred to go after small firms. Also, she was far less aggressive in pursuing enforcement activities than the previous administration.

Senator Patrick Toomey said that with Chopra in charge, the CFPB would once again be an agency that established rules using force. According to Toomey, Rohit Chopra of the CFPB sent out tweets about credit union accusations. Toomey said that the CFPB retracted Chopra’s tweets, which was a signal that Chopra would be the kind of leader who would “shoot first and ask questions later.”

The Future Under Rohit Chopra CFPB

Other financial industry experts predict that Chopra will direct the CFPB the same way the agency’s first director, Richard Cordray, did. He oversaw the CFPB from 2012 to 2017. When Cordray was the director, the agency recovered an estimated $12 billion in fines from financial organizations like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan Chase.

The chair of the Senate Banking Committee, Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, expressed support for nominating Rohit Chopra to the CFPB. Motioning toward the lobbyists standing outside the Senate chambers, several members advised the mortgage industry to “brace themselves.”

Brown said, “The people that Chopra will be paid to protect don’t have lobbyists, or a political action committee, and certainly not a SuperPAC.”

This new appointment will be Chopra’s second time working for the CFPD. In 2011, Chopra received the appointment to be the agency’s student loan ombudsman. In 2018, the Senate unanimously confirmed his current position with the Federal Trade Commission. In this position, he has pressed for more hardline solutions against significant technology companies, such as Facebook, in his opposing opinions.

Final Thoughts

In January, President Joe Biden recommended Rohit Chopra to the CFPB. However, Chopra’s confirmation hearing in March concluded in a draw, which caused the nomination to be sent to the Senate for a vote. The confirmation hearing happened after Chopra met with the Senate Banking Committee and told them that the CFPB should inspect impending problems in forbearances.

When Rohit Chopra of the CFPD addressed the committee, he said, “I don’t want to see another foreclosure crisis in this country.” He also said, “We need to do everything we can to ensure the laws are being followed and homeowners can navigate their options.”

In his opening comments to the committee, Chopra said, “In the mortgage market, fair and effective oversight can promote a resilient and competitive financial sector and address the systemic inequities faced by families of color.” He said, “Perhaps most importantly, administration of consumer protection laws can help families navigate their options to save their homes.”

The post Rohit Chopra CFPB Director, Takes Aim at the Title Industry first appeared on titlecapture.com.