House passes digital signature measure
House passes digital signature measure
By Shruti Dat'
GCN Staff
JUNE 15—The House yesterday passed legislation that would equate handwritten signatures with digital signatures on electronic records.
House members, such as Rep. Thomas J. Bliley Jr. (R-Va.), who chaired the conference committee, are hailing the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce, S 761, as a historic step in the digital economy.
"By passing legislation giving status to electronic signatures and records, Congress is giving American consumers greater confidence in their online business transactions," said Rep. J.C. Watts (R-Okla.), House Republican conference chairman.
"I expect similar support in the Senate," President Clinton said in a statement. "I look forward to signing this key legislation into law."
The measure passed 426-4.
The Senate is expected to follow suit.