HB233 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rex ReynoldsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Municipalities, authorized to use electronic records and signatures in the conduct of its affairs, Secs. 8-1A-17, 8-1A-18 am'd.

Summary

HB233 would allow municipalities in Alabama to use electronic records and signatures in conducting their affairs by amending the Alabama Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends sections 8-1A-17 and 8-1A-18 to let municipalities create, retain, and convert records to electronic form, and to send and accept electronic records and signatures. It gives each municipality the option to decide by ordinance how its agencies will use electronic records and signatures. For agencies that use them, the bill allows specifying the format, type of signatures, third-party requirements, and controls to protect preservation, integrity, security, confidentiality, and auditability. Using electronic records or signatures remains optional, not mandatory. The change becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects

• Municipal governments (cities and towns) and their executive, legislative, and other agencies, which may choose by ordinance to create/retain electronic records and use electronic signatures.
• Residents, businesses, and other people or entities that interact with municipalities, who could in the future send or receive electronic records and signatures with municipalities where enabled by the ordinance.

Key Provisions

• Amends 8-1A-17 to allow municipalities to determine by ordinance the extent to which their agencies create/retain electronic records and convert written records to electronic records.
• Amends 8-1A-18 to allow municipalities to determine by ordinance the extent to which their agencies send/accept electronic records and electronic signatures.
• If used, agencies may specify: (a) how electronic records are created, generated, sent, stored, and the systems used; (b) the type of electronic signature required and how it is affixed; (c) identity criteria for third parties aiding filings; (d) control processes to ensure preservation, integrity, security, confidentiality, and auditability.
• The act does not require governmental agencies to use electronic records or signatures.
• Effective immediately after passage and governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Municipalities