COMMERCE AND TRADE Electronic Signatures and Records: Permit the Use of Electronic Signatures and Records Even When a Statute, Regulation, or Other Rule of Law Specifies a Non-Electronic Type of Signature or Record

The Act attempts to prevent the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C.S. sections 7001, et seq., and 47 U.S.C.S. section 231) from preempting state law by expressing legislative findings and intent that previous Georgia digital signature legislation was consistent with federal law. Additionally, the Act allows all departments in the Georgia state government to use their best judgment in providing for the efficiencies that result from the use of electronic signature equivalents without having to affirmatively change thousands of specific references in the code to non-electronic signatures or records.