Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2307, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the uniform electronic transactions law to provide that certified signatures of record satisfy the requirement of notarization.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Judiciary.

Act 282, Session Laws of Hawaii 2000, enacted chapter 489E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the uniform electronic transaction Act (UETA) to facilitate electronic commerce in the State. The UETA establishes the legal validity of electronic records, signatures, and contracts, and provides that if a law requires a signature or record to be notarized, acknowledged, verified, or made under oath, the requirement is satisfied through an electronic signature of the person authorized to perform such acts.

This measure further facilitates electronic commerce in the State by expanding the scope of the UETA to establish the validity of electronic documents containing certification or a seal. Under this measure, agencies, such as the Judiciary, will be able to provide more efficient and timely service to consumers who request certified or sealed copies of documents, by providing the requested documents through electronic means, rather than by mail.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2307, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.