Digital Signatures / Electronic Records Laws

October 21, 1998: As part of the FY1999 Omnibus Appropriations bill, Congress and the President approve Sen. Wyden’s Government Paperwork Elimination Act, (S.2107), written with Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.) The Wyden-Abraham legislation directs Federal Agencies to begin using digital signature technology because people would rather be “online than waiting in line.”

November 19, 1999: The Senate passes by unanimous consent Senators Wyden and Abraham’s
Millennium Digital Commerce Act (S.761), which promotes electronic commerce by making it easier for consumers and businesses to use digital or electronic signatures to conduct various transactions online.

June 30, 2000: The President signs into law (P.L. 106-229) the Wyden-Abraham Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (S. 761) to allow the use of electronic technology to form and sign contracts, collect and store documents and send and receive notices and disclosures. The act contains the Wyden provision protecting consumers by requiring electronic consumer consent, demonstrating that a consumer can receive, read and retain documents electronically. It was the only major Internet technology bill to be signed into law that year, and took full effect on February 28, 2001.

Press Releases:
2/28/2001 Electronic Records Legislation Takes Effect Today