SB110 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Fiduciaries, Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, adopted, fiduciaries, duties with regard to computer files, web domains, virtual currency and other digital assets, Secs. 19-1A-1 to 19-1A-18, inclusive, added

Summary

SB110 adopts the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, giving fiduciaries new authority to manage digital assets and setting rules for how custodians disclose them.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a legal framework that allows fiduciaries (like executors, administrators, conservators, agents, and trustees) to manage digital assets in addition to tangible property. It sets out how custodians (online platforms) may disclose digital assets to fiduciaries or personal representatives, including the use of online directing tools and overrides of certain agreements. It also restricts fiduciaries’ access to some electronic communications unless the owner consented in a will, trust, power of attorney, or other record, and it outlines duties, procedures, and protections for both fiduciaries and custodians.

Who It Affects

• Fiduciaries (executors, administrators, conservators, agents, and trustees) who gain authority to manage digital assets and must follow defined duties and disclosure rules.
• Custodians and online platforms that hold digital assets and must respond to disclosures or termination requests, may charge fees, and are granted immunity for good-faith actions.

Key Provisions

• Adopts the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act as Chapter 1A of Title 19, Code of Alabama 1975.
• Defines key terms such as digital asset, custodian, fiduciary, online tool, content of electronic communications, and other related terms.
• Expands fiduciaries' powers to manage digital assets (e.g., computer files, web domains, virtual currency) in addition to tangible property, with duties of care, loyalty, and confidentiality.
• Authorizes custodians to disclose a user’s digital assets to fiduciaries or designated recipients in full, partial, or copy form, and permits reasonable administrative charges for disclosure.
• Allows a user to direct disclosure of digital assets via an online tool, with such directions overriding wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and terms-of-service unless overridden by court order or other law.
• Sets procedures for disclosing digital assets, including when full or partial access is granted and when a custodian may decline disclosure or require a court order.
• Specifies how contents of electronic communications and other digital assets of deceased users, principals, or trusts can be disclosed to personal representatives or trustees with required documentation.
• Outlines fiduciary duties and authority limits, including reliance on terms of service, applicable law, and the prohibition on impersonating the user.
• Provides compliance timelines and immunity for custodians acting in good faith, with court-ordered relief available if necessary.
• Clarifies relation to electronic signatures and overall uniformity of application across states; effective date is January 1, 2018.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Fiduciaries