In a message to New York credit unions today, William J. Mellin, New York Credit Union Association president/CEO, called for support of legislation that would allow for the permanent use of remote electronic notarization in New York.

Below is Mellin’s message in its entirety:

The New York Credit Union Association is issuing an urgent call to action on legislation (S.4352-B/ A.4076-B) that would allow for the permanent use of remote electronic notarization in New York.

Credit unions across the state have had great success using remote notarization services as a result of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order that temporarily authorized this technology. It is the hope of the Association that this legislation is passed to permanently bring New York onto the same technological playing field as other states by permitting the electronic notarization of documents.

I am encouraging all New York credit union professionals, volunteers and advocates to visit the Association’s Action Center, where once registered and logged-in, you can find a pre-drafted email pertaining to this issue. The email can be sent directly through the Action Center to lawmakers in your district, as well as leadership in the Assembly and state Senate.

This pragmatic, common-sense legislation is exactly what New York needs as we continue to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic and a piecemeal recovery process in which many New Yorkers are still working from home.

I sincerely thank you for your engagement and cooperation on this matter. With the full power of the New York credit union movement, I believe we can get this important bill signed into law!

Bill

Credit unions across the state have been utilizing remote notarization services as a result of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order that temporarily authorized this technology. In light of the outbreak of COVID-19 in New York State, the Association sees remote electronic notarization as an urgent resource that must be continued. The legislation would significantly reduce the number of direct physical interactions that would otherwise be necessary as New York reopens, and provides notaries to rural areas without previous access to these resources.

As previously reported, supporting legislation to enact remote notarization is among the Association’s advocacy priorities.