PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 106-229.
Congressional Research Service
Version 48 · Conference report filed in House · Jun 8, 2000
Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act - Title I: Electronic Records and Signatures in Commerce - Prohibits a rule of law from denying the legal effect of certain transactions in interstate or foreign commerce on the ground that: (1) the signature, contract, or record of such transaction is in electronic form; and (2) with respect to a contract, an electronic signature or electronic record was used in its formation. Defines "transaction" to mean the sale, lease, exchange, licensing, or other disposition of personal or real property and services between two or more persons.(Sec. 101) Provides that this Act shall not: (1) limit, alter, or affect the rights and obligations of persons under law other than a requirement that such contracts or other records be written, signed, or in nonelectronic form; or (2) require a person to agree to use or accept electronic records or signatures (other than a governmental agency with respect to a record other than a contract to which it is a party).Cites circumstances in which an electronic record (or signature) satisfies any statute, regulation, or other rule of law mandating: (1) availability to a customer of information in writing; (2) retention of a contract or record; (3) that contract or record be in writing; and (4) that record or signature be notarized.(Sec. 102) Cites circumstances in which a State statute or rule of law may alter or supercede the general rule of validity governing transactions in electronic commerce under this Act if it: (1) constitutes an enactment or adoption of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 1999 (except that any exception to this Act by a State statute shall be preempted to the extent it is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act); or (2) specifies alternative procedures or requirements for the use or acceptance (or both) of electronic records or electronic signatures to establish the validity of contracts or records that are consistent with this Act.(Sec. 103) Excludes from the purview of this Act certain: (1) testamentary instruments; (2) matters of family law; (3) instruments under the Uniform Commercial Code; (4) judicial documents; (5) credit-related proceedings; and (6) hazardous materials-related documents.(Sec. 104) Declares that nothing in this Act shall limit or supercede any Federal or State regulatory agency requirement that records be filed with them in accordance with specified standards or formats.(Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct inquiries and report to Congress on: (1) the effectiveness of the delivery of electronic records to consumers using electronic mail as compared with delivery of written records via the United States Postal Service and private express mail services; and (2) the benefits and burdens with respect to consumer consent to the use of electronic records.Title II: Transferable Records - Sets forth certain requirements with respect to the control of electronic transferable records.Title III: Promotion of International Electronic Commerce - Requires the Secretary to promote the acceptance and use of electronic signatures in interstate and foreign commerce.Title IV: Commission on Online Child Protection - Amends the Child Online Protection Act to authorize the Commission on Online Child Protection to accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or property, both real and personal, to aid the work of the Commission.
People & committees
Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI] · R–MI
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 106-229.
Became Public Law No: 106-229.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 87 - 0. Record Vote Number: 133. (consideration: CR S5281-5290)
Senate roll call 133 · Individual votesConference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 87 - 0. Record Vote Number: 133.(consideration: CR S5281-5290)
Senate roll call 133 · Individual votesConference papers: Senate report and manager's statement held at the desk in Senate.
Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S5215-5231)
Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 426 - 4 (Roll no. 271). (consideration: CR 4351-4366)
House roll call 271 · Individual votesMotions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 426 - 4 (Roll no. 271).(consideration: CR 4351-4366)
House roll call 271 · Individual votesPOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on the adoption of the conference report and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Bliley demanded the Yeas and Nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the adoption of the conference report until later in the day.
The previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report on S. 761.
Mr. Bliley brought up conference report H. Rept. 106-661 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 523.
Rule H. Res. 523 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 523 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to S. 761. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived. The conference report shall be considered as read.
Conference report H. Rept. 106-661 filed. (text of conference report: CR H4115-4118)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 106-661 filed.(text of conference report: CR H4115-4118)
Conference held.
Conference committee actions: Conference held.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate appointed conferee(s) Hatch, Thurmond and Leahy from the Committee on the Judiciary for consideration of items within their jurisdiction.
Senate appointed conferee(s) Gramm, Bennett and Sarbanes from the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for consideration of items within their jurisdiction.
Senate agreed to request for conference. Appointed conferees. McCain, Burns, Stevens, Gorton, Hutchison, Abraham, Hollings, Inouye, Rockefeller, Kerry and Wyden.
Senate disagreed to House amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1843-1846; text: CR S1843-1845)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate disagreed to House amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1843-1846; text: CR S1843-1845)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill and House requests a conference.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Speaker appointed conferees: Bliley, Tauzin, Oxley, Dingell, and Markey.
On motion that the House insist upon its amendments, and request a conference Agreed to without objection.
Mr. Bliley asked unanimous consent that the House insist upon its amendments, and request a conference.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H487-489)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H487-489)
The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 1714. Agreed to without objection.
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H86-489)
Mr. Bliley asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S15153-15154)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S15153-15154)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S14881-14889; text as reported in Senate: CR S14881-14882)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13151-13152)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11949-11950)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11554)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-131.
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-131.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8694-8695)
Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 106-893.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3584-3585)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce. (text of measure as introduced: CR 4/12/1999 S3585-3586)
Introduced in Senate
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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