The legislation would set national standards for electronic signatures and records and give them the same legal validity as written contracts and documents. Both the House and Senate passed e-signature bills with little opposition last November, but resolving differences between the two bills has proved to be difficult. The administration and some Democrats opposed sections they said could weaken consumer protections while business groups lobbied against provisions on consumer consent they said would hinder smooth e-commerce transactions. Some businesses had sought a later date. The negotiators also closed a loophole that would have made it easier for states to pre-empt the federal law.
States can still demand paper forms on such matters as public health and safety.
Marc Brailov, spokesman for the American Electronics Association, said his group was pleased with the final product. It provides legal certainty for online business. The bill number is S. 761. The Associated Press. All rights reserved.