Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2158: Electronic notarial acts
Status: Signed into law, March 11, 2026
Concerning electronic notarial acts.
What the bill says
An act Relating to electronic notarial acts; amending RCW 42.45.280; and providing an effective date.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to electronic notarial acts; amending RCW 42.45.280; and providing an effective date. Sec. 1. RCW 42.45.280 and 2019 c 154 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: (1) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (a) "Communication technology" means an electronic device or process and (ii) When necessary under and consistent with other applicable law, facilitates communication with a remotely located individual with a vision, hearing, or speech impairment. (b) "Foreign state" means a jurisdiction other than the United States, a state, or a federally recognized Indian tribe. (c) "Identity proofing" means a process or service by which a third person provides an electronic records notary public with a means to verify the identity of a remotely located individual by a review of personal information from public or private data sources. (d) "Outside the United States" means a location outside the geographic boundaries of the United States, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and any territory, insular possession, or other location subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. (e) "Remotely located individual" means an individual who is not in the physical presence of the electronic records notary public who performs a notarial act under subsection (3) of this section. (2) A remotely located individual complies …
Sponsors
- Hunter Abell (R) · primary sponsor
- Tarra Simmons (D)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Janice Zahn (D)
- Kristine Reeves (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 1/1/2027.
- : Chapter 21, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 28, 2026): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Law & Justice: Do pass (February 23, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (January 29, 2026): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (January 16, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: NAMED ACTS, RECORDS
Common questions
- What is HB2158?
- HB2158 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Electronic notarial acts.
- What does HB2158 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to electronic notarial acts; amending RCW 42.45.280; and providing an effective date.
- What is the status of HB2158?
- Signed into law as of March 11, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 1/1/2027. (March 11, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2158?
- Hunter Abell (R), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2158?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2158&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.