PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.2937 / 105th Congress

Electronic Financial Services Efficiency Act of 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 8, 1997

Electronic Financial Services Efficiency Act of 1997 - Provides that: (1) in any written communication with any Federal agency or instrumentality, or any U.S. court, which calls for a signature, any party to the communication may affix a digital signature with a certificate issued by a trusted third party; and (2) all forms of electronic communication that comport with the standards prescribed by this Act shall have standing equal to paper-based written signatures with respect to Federal agencies, courts, and instrumentalities, as well as in general. Sets forth criteria for electronic authentication technology and other signature technologies. Establishes the National Association of Certification Authorities (Association), of which any person wishing to provide electronic authentication services shall be a registered member. Prescribes membership guidelines. Requires the Association to establish the Electronic Authentication Standards Review Committee, with rulemaking and enforcement powers, which shall: (1) establish, develop, and refine criteria for application to the emerging electronic authentication industry; and (2) report biannually to the Secretary of the Treasury. Requires the Secretary to oversee and review the Committee's activities.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Baker, Richard H. [R-LA-6] · R–LA

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Financial Services Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Securities and Government Sponsored Enterprises.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.

  4. Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

  5. Referred to the Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials.

  6. Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology.

  7. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2292-2293)

  8. Referred to House Banking and Financial Services

  9. Referred to House Science

  10. Referred to House Judiciary

  11. Referred to House Government Reform

  12. Referred to House Commerce

  13. Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Government Reform and Oversight, the Judiciary, Science, and Banking and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  14. Introduced in House

  15. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2937 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2937 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2937 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2937 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources