APPOINTMENT OF NOTARIES PUBLIC.

SEC. 3546. APPOINTMENT OF NOTARIES PUBLIC. Section 1102a (22 U.S.C. 3612a) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and (2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection: “(g) (1) The Commission may appoint any United States citizen to have the general powers of a notary public to perform, on behalf of Commission employees and their dependents outside the United States, any notarial act that a notary public is required or authorized to perform within the United States. Unless an earlier expiration is provided by the terms of the appointment, any such appointment shall expire three months after the Canal Transfer Date. “(2) Every notarial act performed by a person acting as a notary under paragraph (1) shall be as valid, and of like force and effect within the United States, as if executed by or before a duly authorized and competent notary public in the United States. “(3) The signature of any person acting as a notary under paragraph (1), when it appears with the title of that person’s office, is prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine, that the person holds the designated title, and that the person is authorized to perform a notarial act.”.