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United States · Bill · S

S. 2107 (105th)

Government Paperwork Elimination Act

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

21 May 1998

Last action

21 October 1998 · Introduced

Status

Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.

Sponsors

Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI], Ron Wyden, Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ], John Reed, Rep. Cochran, Thad [R-MS-4], Rep. Lott, Trent [R-MS-5], Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT]

Subjects

Budget

Source updated

7 April 2025

Budget

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Government Paperwork Elimination Act - Directs the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information (the head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration) of the Department of Commerce to conduct an ongoing study of the enhancement of electronic commerce due to the use of digital signatures pursuant to this Act and report to the House Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee not later than 12 months and 60 months after the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 3) Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in accordance with technical standards provided by the Assistant Secretary under this Act, to establish a method for each Federal agency to make its forms available electronically through its Internet web site. (Sec. 4) Requires: (1) any payment associated with a form submitted electronically to be no greater than the payment associated with any corresponding printed form; (2) not less than two means of electronic payment to be provided, but such payment may not be required to precede submission of a form; and (3) issuance of a prompt electronic receipt for electronic payment. (Sec. 5) Directs the head of each agency to issue guidelines for determining how and which employees in each respective agency shall be provided digital signatures for use within the scope of their employment. Authorizes agencies to provide persons entitled to written notice the opportunity to receive electronic notice instead. (Sec. 6) Requires the Director to issue guidelines governing the manner in which agencies may accept certificates verifying digital signatures from an agency or from a trusted third party that is licensed or accredited by a State or local government or an appropriate accreditation body. Allows an agency to accept a certificate only from a trusted third party that accepts liability for and that is insured against negligent issuance or handling of certificates. Directs the Secretary of State to determine from which foreign countries agencies may accept certificates. Requires the Assistant Secretary to compile and post on a Government website a list of trusted third parties that are qualified to issue certificates. (Sec. 7) Directs the Assistant Secretary to provide to the Director for the digital signatures accepted technical standards that: (1) are compatible with standards and technology for digital signatures used in commerce and industry and by State governments; and (2) do not inappropriately favor one industry. (Sec. 8) Permits an employer required to collect, store, or file paper forms completed by employees to store such forms electronically if they are submitted electronically. (Sec. 10) Expresses the sense of the Congress that contracts executed in the digital world should be treated similarly to contracts executed in the analog world under Federal and State law.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 21 May 1998

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 21 May 1998

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5323-5324)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 21 May 1998

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 17 June 1998

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Communications. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

  5. 15 July 1998

    Committee

    Committee on Commerce. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

  6. 29 July 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  7. 17 September 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 581.

    Source: Calendars

  8. 17 September 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 105-335.

    Source: Committee

  9. 17 September 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 105-335.

    Source: Committee

  10. 15 October 1998

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S12627-12630)

    Source: Floor

  11. 15 October 1998

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

  12. 15 October 1998

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 15 October 1998

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

  14. 21 October 1998

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Sponsors

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.

Sources

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