Section 5-11-73 - Retention and repositories of electronic journal and audiovisual recording(a) In addition to the tangible journal required of all notaries public pursuant to section 456-15, HRS, a remote online notary public shall retain an electronic journal as required under section 456-15, HRS, and this chapter and any audiovisual recording created under section 456-23, HRS, in a computer or other electronic storage device that protects the journal and recording against unauthorized access by password or cryptographic process. The electronic journal and audiovisual recording shall be maintained and retained in an industry-standard audiovisual file format that can be viewed by the attorney general without the need for additional software. An electronic journal kept. by the remote online notary public and the audiovisual recording created pursuant to this subchapter are not subject to the requirements of section 5-11-9.(b) A remote online notary public shall take reasonable steps to ensure that a backup of the electronic journal and audiovisual recording exists and is secure from unauthorized use.(c) On the death or adjudication of incompetency of a current or former remote online notary public, the remote online notary public's personal representative or guardian, or any other person knowingly in possession of an electronic journal or audiovisual recording shall comply with the retention requirements of chapter 456, HRS, and this chapter and transmit the journal and recording to:(1) One or more repositories under subsection (d); or(2) The attorney general in an industry-standard data storage device that is readable without the need for additional software or password or cryptographic process.(d) A remote online notary public, a guardian or personal representative of a remote online notary public, or any other person knowingly in possession of an electronic journal or audiovisual recording may, by written contract, engage a third person to act as a repository to provide the storage required by this chapter. A third person under a contract pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed a repository under chapter 456, HRS. The contract shall: (1) Enable the notary public, the guardian or personal representative, or the person in possession to comply with the retention requirements of chapter 456, HRS, and this chapter, even if the contract is terminated; or(2) Provide that the information will be transferred to the attorney general in an industry-standard data storage device that is readable without the need for additional software or password or cryptographic process upon the attorney general's request or if the contract is terminated.(e) At any time, the electronic journal and audiovisual recording shall be subject to reasonable periodic, special, or other audits or inspections by the department as required under section 456-15, HRS.(f) The remote online notary public shall retain the remote online notary public's electronic journal and audiovisual recording for ten years after the performance of the last notarial act chronicled in the journal. The notary public shall provide to the attorney general the location of the electronic journal upon resignation from, or revocation or abandonment or suspension of, a commission, or the expiration of a commission without renewal.(g) The failure to comply with this section may result in an administrative fine of no less than $50 and no more than $500.[Eff and comp 2/27/2022] (Auth: HRS §§ 28-10.8, 456-1.5, 4568, 456-23) (Imp: HRS §§ 456-15, 456-23, 456-24)