Sec. 44.50.068. - Disciplinary action; complaint; appeal; hearing; delegation. - Alaska Statutes

(a) The lieutenant governor may suspend or revoke a notary public's commission or reprimand a notary public for good cause shown, including

(1) a ground on which an application for a commission may be denied;

(2) failure to comply with this chapter;

(3) failure to maintain residency in this state under AS 01.10.055 ; and

(4) incompetence or malfeasance in carrying out the notary public's duties under this chapter.

(b) A person harmed by the actions of a notary public may file a complaint with the lieutenant governor. The complaint shall be filed on a form prescribed by the lieutenant governor and shall be signed and verified by the person alleging misconduct by the notary public.

(c) If the lieutenant governor determines that the allegations in the complaint do not warrant formal disciplinary action, the lieutenant governor may decline to act on the complaint or may advise the notary public of the appropriate conduct and the applicable statutes and regulations governing the conduct. The lieutenant governor shall notify the notary public and the complainant of the determination in writing.

(d) If the lieutenant governor determines that the complaint alleges sufficient facts to constitute good cause for disciplinary action, the lieutenant governor shall serve the notary public with a copy of the complaint as provided in Rule 4, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure. The notary public may file a written response to the complaint with the lieutenant governor within 20 days after receipt of the complaint. The lieutenant governor may extend the time for the notary public's response. The lieutenant governor shall provide a copy of the notary public's response to the complainant.

(e) The lieutenant governor shall review the complaint and the response to determine whether formal disciplinary action may be warranted. The lieutenant governor may determine that the allegations in the complaint do not warrant formal disciplinary action, in which case the lieutenant governor may determine not to take further action on the complaint or may determine to advise the notary public of the appropriate conduct and the applicable statutes and regulations governing the conduct. If the lieutenant governor determines that formal disciplinary action is not warranted, the lieutenant governor shall provide the complainant and the notary public with a written statement of the basis for the determination.

(f) If the lieutenant governor finds that formal disciplinary action may be warranted, the lieutenant governor may suspend or revoke a notary public's commission or reprimand a notary public. If the lieutenant governor suspends or revokes the commission or issues a reprimand, the lieutenant governor shall provide, by certified mail, the notary public with a written statement of the lieutenant governor's decision, including a written statement of the basis for the determination.

(g) A person who is issued a reprimand, suspension, or revocation under (f) of this section may appeal the reprimand, suspension, or revocation by requesting a hearing within 15 days after receiving the statement provided under (f) of this section. If a hearing is requested, the lieutenant governor shall deny or grant the request under AS 44.64.060 (b) and refer the matter to the office of administrative hearings under AS 44.64.060 (b).

(h) The lieutenant governor may delegate the powers under this section.