Text: SSB02140                          Text: SSB02142
Text: SSB02100 - SSB02199               Text: SSB Index
Bills and Amendments: General Index     Bill History: General Index



Senate Study Bill 2141

Bill Text

PAG LIN
  1  1                           DIVISION I
  1  2                          SUBCHAPTER 1
  1  3                             GENERAL
  1  4    Section 101.  NEW SECTION.  554C.101  SHORT TITLE.
  1  5    This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Iowa
  1  6 Electronic Commerce Security Act".
  1  7    Sec. 102.  NEW SECTION.  554C.102  PURPOSES AND
  1  8 CONSTRUCTION.
  1  9    This chapter shall be construed consistently with what is
  1 10 commercially reasonable under the circumstances and to
  1 11 effectuate all of the following purposes:
  1 12    1.  Facilitate electronic communications by means of
  1 13 reliable electronic records.
  1 14    2.  Facilitate and promote electronic commerce, by
  1 15 eliminating barriers resulting from uncertainties over writing
  1 16 and signature requirements, and promoting the development of
  1 17 the legal and business infrastructure necessary to implement
  1 18 secure electronic commerce.
  1 19    3.  Facilitate electronic filing of documents with state
  1 20 and local government agencies and promote efficient delivery
  1 21 of government services by means of reliable electronic
  1 22 records.
  1 23    4.  Minimize the incidence of forged electronic records,
  1 24 intentional and unintentional alteration of records, and fraud
  1 25 in electronic commerce.
  1 26    5.  Establish uniformity of rules, regulations, and
  1 27 standards regarding the authentication and integrity of
  1 28 electronic records.
  1 29    6.  Promote public confidence in the integrity,
  1 30 reliability, and legality of electronic records and electronic
  1 31 commerce.
  1 32    Sec. 103.  NEW SECTION.  554C.103  VARIATION BY AGREEMENT
  1 33 – USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS OPTIONAL.
  1 34    1.  As between parties involved in generating, sending,
  1 35 receiving, storing, or otherwise processing electronic
  2  1 records, the provisions of this chapter may be varied by
  2  2 agreement of the parties.  However, an agreement shall not
  2  3 vary requirements provided in section 554C.203, subsection 2;
  2  4 section 554C.204, subsection 4; section 554C.305, subsection
  2  5 2; sections 554C.422, 554C.423, 554C.424, and 554C.442; and
  2  6 section 554C.444, subsection 2.
  2  7    2.  This chapter shall not be construed to require a person
  2  8 to create, store, transmit, accept, or otherwise use or
  2  9 communicate information, records, or signatures by electronic
  2 10 means or in electronic form.  
  2 11                          SUBCHAPTER 2
  2 12           ELECTRONIC RECORDS AND SIGNATURES GENERALLY
  2 13    Sec. 104.  NEW SECTION.  554C.201  DEFINITIONS.
  2 14    As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise
  2 15 requires:
  2 16    1.  "Commissioner" means the commissioner of insurance
  2 17 appointed pursuant to section 505.2.
  2 18    2.  "Consumer transaction" means a transaction by an
  2 19 individual for personal, household, or family use.
  2 20    3.  "Electronic" includes electrical, digital, magnetic,
  2 21 optical, electromagnetic, or any other form of technology that
  2 22 entails capabilities similar to these technologies.
  2 23    4.  "Electronic record" means a record generated,
  2 24 communicated, received, or stored by electronic means for use
  2 25 in an information system or for transmission from one
  2 26 information system to another.
  2 27    5.  "Electronic signature" means a signature in electronic
  2 28 form attached to or logically associated with an electronic
  2 29 record.
  2 30    6.  "Government agency" means any executive, legislative,
  2 31 or judicial agency, department, board, commission, authority,
  2 32 institution, or instrumentality of this state or of any
  2 33 county, city, or other political subdivision of this state.
  2 34    7.  "Information" includes but is not limited to data,
  2 35 text, images, sound, codes, computer programs, software, and
  3  1 databases.
  3  2    8.  "Party" means a person involved in an electronic
  3  3 transaction governed by the provisions of this chapter.
  3  4    9.  "Record" means information that is inscribed, stored,
  3  5 or otherwise fixed on a tangible medium or that is stored in
  3  6 an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in
  3  7 perceivable form.
  3  8    10.  "Rule of law" means any statute, rule of or order by a
  3  9 government agency, regulation, ordinance, common law rule, or
  3 10 court decision enacted, adopted, established, or rendered by
  3 11 the general assembly, government agency, court, political
  3 12 subdivision of, or other authority of, this state.
  3 13    11.  "Security procedure" means a methodology or procedure
  3 14 for the purpose of doing any of the following:
  3 15    a.  Verifying that an electronic record is the record of a
  3 16 specific person.
  3 17    b.  Detecting an error or alteration in the communication,
  3 18 content, or storage of an electronic record since a specific
  3 19 point in time.  A security procedure may require the use of
  3 20 algorithms or codes, identifying words or numbers, encryption,
  3 21 answer back, acknowledgment procedures, or similar security
  3 22 devices.
  3 23    12.  "Signed" or "signature" includes any symbol executed
  3 24 or adopted, or any security procedure employed or adopted,
  3 25 including by use of electronic means, by or on behalf of a
  3 26 person with a present intention to authenticate a record.
  3 27    Definitions used in any part of this chapter shall apply in
  3 28 all other parts of this chapter.
  3 29    Sec. 105.  NEW SECTION.  554C.202  LEGAL RECOGNITION.
  3 30    Information shall not be denied legal effect, validity, or
  3 31 enforceability solely on the grounds that it is in the form of
  3 32 an electronic record or an electronic signature.
  3 33    Sec. 106.  NEW SECTION.  554C.203  ELECTRONIC RECORDS.
  3 34    1.  Where a rule of law requires information to be written
  3 35 or in writing or provides for certain consequences if it is
  4  1 not, an electronic record satisfies that rule of law
  4  2 requirement.
  4  3    2.  The provisions of this section shall not apply to any
  4  4 of the following:
  4  5    a.  When its application involves a construction of a rule
  4  6 of law that is clearly inconsistent with the manifest intent
  4  7 of the body imposing the requirement or repugnant to the
  4  8 context of the same rule of law.  However, the mere
  4  9 requirement that information be in writing, written, or
  4 10 printed shall not by itself be sufficient to establish an
  4 11 intent which is inconsistent with the requirement of this
  4 12 section.
  4 13    b.  To any rule of law governing the creation or execution
  4 14 of a will or trust, living will, a general, durable, or
  4 15 healthcare power of attorney, or a voluntary, involuntary, or
  4 16 standby guardianship or conservatorship.
  4 17    c.  To any record that serves as a unique and transferable
  4 18 physical expression of rights and obligations including,
  4 19 without limitation, negotiable instruments and other
  4 20 instruments of title wherein possession of the instrument is
  4 21 deemed to confer title in a consumer transaction.
  4 22    d.  To any record that grants a legal or equitable interest
  4 23 in real property, including a mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
  4 24 security interest, or other lien or encumbrance in a consumer
  4 25 transaction.
  4 26    Sec. 107.  NEW SECTION.  554C.204  ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES.
  4 27    1.  Where a rule of law requires a signature, or provides
  4 28 for certain consequences if a document is not signed, an
  4 29 electronic signature satisfies that requirement.
  4 30    2.  An electronic signature may be proved in any manner,
  4 31 including by showing that a procedure exists by which a person
  4 32 must of necessity have executed a symbol or security procedure
  4 33 for the purpose of verifying that an electronic record is the
  4 34 record of that person in order to proceed further with a
  4 35 transaction.
  5  1    3.  Absent an agreement to the contrary, the recipient of a
  5  2 signed electronic record is entitled to establish reasonable
  5  3 requirements to ensure that the symbol or security procedure
  5  4 adopted as an electronic signature by the person signing is
  5  5 authentic.
  5  6    4.  The provisions of this section shall not apply to any
  5  7 of the following:
  5  8    a.  When its application would involve a construction of a
  5  9 rule of law that is clearly inconsistent with the manifest
  5 10 intent of the body imposing the requirement or repugnant to
  5 11 the context of the same rule of law.  However, the mere
  5 12 requirement that information be in writing, written, or
  5 13 printed shall not by itself be sufficient to establish an
  5 14 intent which is inconsistent with the requirement of this
  5 15 section.
  5 16    b.  To any rule of law governing the creation or execution
  5 17 of a will or trust, living will, a general, durable, or
  5 18 healthcare power of attorney, or a voluntary, involuntary, or
  5 19 standby guardianship or conservatorship.
  5 20    c.  To any record that serves as a unique and transferable
  5 21 physical expression of rights and obligations including, but
  5 22 is not limited, to negotiable instruments and other
  5 23 instruments of title wherein possession of the instrument is
  5 24 deemed to confer title in a consumer transaction.
  5 25    d.  To any record that grants a legal or equitable interest
  5 26 in real property, including a mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
  5 27 security interest, or other lien or encumbrance in a consumer
  5 28 transaction.
  5 29    Sec. 108.  NEW SECTION.  554C.205  REQUIREMENT FOR ORIGINAL
  5 30 INFORMATION.
  5 31    1.  Where a rule of law requires information to be
  5 32 presented or retained in its original form, or provides
  5 33 consequences for information not being presented or retained
  5 34 in its original form, that rule of law is satisfied by an
  5 35 electronic record if there exists reliable assurance as to the
  6  1 integrity of the information from the time when it was first
  6  2 generated in its final form, as an electronic record or
  6  3 otherwise.
  6  4    2.  The criteria for assessing the integrity of information
  6  5 shall be whether the information has remained complete and
  6  6 unaltered, apart from the addition of any endorsement and any
  6  7 change that arises in the normal course of communication,
  6  8 storage, and display.  The standard of reliability required
  6  9 shall be assessed in the light of all relevant circumstances,
  6 10 including but not limited to the purpose for which the
  6 11 information was generated.
  6 12    3.  The provisions of this section do not apply to any
  6 13 record that serves as a unique and transferable physical
  6 14 expression of rights and obligations including, but not
  6 15 limited to, negotiable instruments and other instruments of
  6 16 title wherein possession of the instrument is deemed to confer
  6 17 title.
  6 18    Sec. 109.  NEW SECTION.  554C.206  ADMISSIBILITY INTO
  6 19 EVIDENCE.
  6 20    1.  In any legal proceeding, nothing in the application of
  6 21 the rules of evidence shall apply so as to deny the
  6 22 admissibility of an electronic record or electronic signature
  6 23 into evidence based on any of the following:
  6 24    a.  On the sole ground that it is an electronic record or
  6 25 electronic signature.
  6 26    b.  On the grounds that it is not in its original form or
  6 27 is not an original.
  6 28    2.  Information in the form of an electronic record shall
  6 29 be given due evidential weight by the trier of fact.  In
  6 30 assessing the evidential weight of an electronic record or
  6 31 electronic signature where its authenticity is in issue, the
  6 32 trier of fact may consider all relevant information or
  6 33 circumstances, including but not limited to the manner in
  6 34 which it was generated, stored, or communicated, the
  6 35 reliability of the manner in which its integrity was
  7  1 maintained, the manner in which its originator was identified,
  7  2 and the manner in which the electronic record was signed.
  7  3    Sec. 110.  NEW SECTION.  554C.207  RETENTION OF ELECTRONIC
  7  4 RECORDS.
  7  5    1.  a.  Where a rule of law requires that certain
  7  6 documents, records, or information be retained, that
  7  7 requirement is met by retaining electronic records of the
  7  8 information, provided that all of the following conditions are
  7  9 satisfied:
  7 10    (1)  The electronic record and the information contained in
  7 11 the electronic record must be accessible so as to be usable
  7 12 for subsequent reference at all times when such information
  7 13 must be retained.
  7 14    (2)  The information must be retained in the format in
  7 15 which it was originally generated, sent, or received; or in a
  7 16 format that can be demonstrated to represent accurately the
  7 17 information originally generated, sent, or received.
  7 18    (3)  Data is retained which enables the identification of
  7 19 the origin and destination of the information, the
  7 20 authenticity and integrity of the information, and the date
  7 21 and time when it was generated, sent, or received.
  7 22    b.  An obligation to retain documents, records, or
  7 23 information in accordance with this subsection does not extend
  7 24 to any data the sole purpose of which is to enable the record
  7 25 to be sent or received.
  7 26    2.  Nothing in this section shall preclude any federal or
  7 27 government agency from specifying additional requirements for
  7 28 the retention of records that are subject to the jurisdiction
  7 29 of such agency.  
  7 30                          SUBCHAPTER 3
  7 31            SECURE ELECTRONIC RECORDS AND SIGNATURES
  7 32    Sec. 111.  NEW SECTION.  554C.301  SECURE ELECTRONIC
  7 33 RECORD.
  7 34    1.  Subject to the provisions of section 554C.303, if, by
  7 35 the application of a qualified security procedure, it can be
  8  1 verified that an electronic record has not been altered since
  8  2 a specified point in time, such electronic record shall be
  8  3 considered to be a secure electronic record from such
  8  4 specified point in time to the time of verification.
  8  5    2.  For purposes of this subchapter, a qualified security
  8  6 procedure is a security procedure to detect changes in content
  8  7 that is any of the following:
  8  8    a.  Authorized by, and implemented in accordance with the
  8  9 requirements of, this chapter.
  8 10    b.  Previously agreed to by the parties, and implemented in
  8 11 accordance with the terms of such agreement.
  8 12    c.  Certified by the commissioner as providing reliable
  8 13 evidence that an electronic record has not been altered, and
  8 14 implemented in a manner specified by the certification.
  8 15    Sec. 112.  NEW SECTION.  554C.302  SECURE ELECTRONIC
  8 16 SIGNATURE.
  8 17    1.  Subject to the provisions of section 554C.303, if, by
  8 18 the application of a qualified security procedure, it can be
  8 19 authenticated that an electronic signature is the signature of
  8 20 a specific person, the electronic signature shall be
  8 21 considered to be a secure electronic signature at the time of
  8 22 verification.
  8 23    2.  A qualified security procedure for purposes of this
  8 24 section is a security procedure for identifying a party that
  8 25 is any of the following:
  8 26    a.  Authorized by, and implemented in accordance with the
  8 27 requirements of, this chapter.
  8 28    b.  Previously agreed to by the parties to an agreement,
  8 29 and implemented in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
  8 30    c.  Certified by the commissioner as being capable of
  8 31 creating an electronic signature that meets all of the
  8 32 following conditions:
  8 33    (1)  Is unique to the signer within the context in which it
  8 34 is used.
  8 35    (2)  Can be used to promptly, objectively, and
  9  1 automatically identify the person signing the electronic
  9  2 record.
  9  3    (3)  Was reliably created by such identified person.
  9  4    (4)  Is linked to the electronic record to which it relates
  9  5 in a manner which ensures that if the record or signature is
  9  6 changed the electronic signature is invalidated, provided that
  9  7 the security procedure is implemented in a manner required by
  9  8 the certification.
  9  9    Sec. 113.  NEW SECTION.  554C.303  COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE
  9 10 – RELIANCE.
  9 11    1.  An electronic record or electronic signature that
  9 12 qualifies for secure status pursuant to section 554C.301,
  9 13 554C.302, 554C.412, or 554C.413 shall not be considered secure
  9 14 unless the proponent establishes all of the following:
  9 15    a.  Use of the applicable security procedure was
  9 16 commercially reasonable.
  9 17    b.  The security procedure was implemented in a trustworthy
  9 18 manner or, where applicable, in a manner specified by this
  9 19 chapter or the commissioner, to the extent such information is
  9 20 within the knowledge of the proponent.
  9 21    c.  Reliance on the security procedure was reasonable and
  9 22 in good faith in light of all the circumstances known to the
  9 23 proponent at the time of the reliance, having due regard for
  9 24 all of the following:
  9 25    (1)  Information that the proponent knew or had notice of
  9 26 at the time of reliance, including all facts, statements, and
  9 27 limitations contained in any statement by any third party
  9 28 involved in the authentication process.
  9 29    (2)  The value or importance of the electronic record
  9 30 signed with the secure electronic signature, if known.
  9 31    (3)  Any course of dealing between the proponent and the
  9 32 purported sender and the available indicia of reliability or
  9 33 unreliability apart from the secure electronic signature.
  9 34    (4)  Any usage of trade, particularly trade conducted by
  9 35 trustworthy systems or other computer-based means.
 10  1    (5)  Whether the authentication was performed with the
 10  2 assistance of an independent third party.
 10  3    (6)  Any other evidence relating to facts of which the
 10  4 proponent was aware that would suggest that reliance was or
 10  5 was not reasonable.
 10  6    2.  The commercial reasonableness of a security procedure
 10  7 is to be determined by the trier of fact in light of the
 10  8 purposes of the procedure and the commercial circumstances at
 10  9 the time the procedure was used, including but not limited to
 10 10 the nature of the transaction, sophistication of the parties,
 10 11 volume of similar transactions engaged in by either or both of
 10 12 the parties, availability of alternatives offered to but
 10 13 rejected by either of the parties, cost of alternative
 10 14 procedures, and procedures in general use for similar types of
 10 15 transactions.
 10 16    Sec. 114.  NEW SECTION.  554C.304  PRESUMPTIONS.
 10 17    1.  In resolving a civil dispute involving a secure
 10 18 electronic record, it shall be rebuttably presumed that the
 10 19 electronic record has not been altered since the specific
 10 20 point in time to which the secure status relates.
 10 21    2.  In resolving a civil dispute involving a secure
 10 22 electronic signature, all of the following shall be rebuttably
 10 23 presumed:
 10 24    a.  The secure electronic signature is the signature of the
 10 25 person to whom it correlates.
 10 26    b.  The secure electronic signature was affixed by that
 10 27 person with the intention of signing the electronic record.
 10 28    3.  The effect of the presumptions provided in this section
 10 29 is to place on the party challenging the integrity of a secure
 10 30 electronic record or challenging the genuineness of a secure
 10 31 electronic signature both the burden of going forward with
 10 32 evidence to rebut the presumption and the burden of persuading
 10 33 the trier of fact that the falsity of the presumed fact is
 10 34 more probable than the truth of its existence.
 10 35    4.  In the absence of a secure electronic record or a
 11  1 secure electronic signature, nothing in this chapter shall
 11  2 change existing rules regarding legal or evidentiary rules
 11  3 regarding the burden of proving the authenticity and integrity
 11  4 of an electronic record or an electronic signature.
 11  5    Sec. 115.  NEW SECTION.  554C.305  ATTRIBUTION OF SIGNATURE
 11  6 TO A PARTY.
 11  7    1.  Except as provided by another applicable rule of law,
 11  8 and subject to the provisions of section 554C.304, a secure
 11  9 electronic signature is attributable to the person to whom it
 11 10 correlates, whether or not authorized, if all of the following
 11 11 apply to the electronic signature:
 11 12    a.  The signature resulted from acts of a person who
 11 13 obtained the access numbers, codes, computer programs, or
 11 14 other information necessary to create the signature from a
 11 15 source under the control of the alleged signer, creating the
 11 16 appearance that it came from the person to whom it correlates.
 11 17    b.  The access occurred under circumstances constituting a
 11 18 failure to exercise reasonable care by the person to whom it
 11 19 correlates.
 11 20    c.  The recipient reasonably relied to the recipient's
 11 21 detriment on the apparent source of the electronic record,
 11 22 taking into account the factors provided in section 554C.303.
 11 23    2.  The provisions of this section shall not apply to
 11 24 consumer transactions, including but not limited to credit
 11 25 card and automatic teller machines, except to the extent
 11 26 allowed by applicable consumer law.
 11 27    Sec. 116.  NEW SECTION.  554C.306  CERTIFICATION BY THE
 11 28 COMMISSIONER.
 11 29    1.  A security procedure may be certified by the
 11 30 commissioner as meeting the requirements of section 554C.301
 11 31 or 554C.302, following an appropriate investigation or review,
 11 32 if all of the following apply:
 11 33    a.  The technology utilized by the security procedure is
 11 34 completely open and fully disclosed to the public in order to
 11 35 facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of its suitability for
 12  1 its intended purpose.
 12  2    b.  The certification is in accordance with the rules
 12  3 adopted by the commissioner pursuant to chapter 17A.
 12  4    c.  The certification specifies at least all of the
 12  5 following:
 12  6    (1)  A full and complete identification of the security
 12  7 procedure.
 12  8    (2)  A specification of one or more acceptable trustworthy
 12  9 methods by which the security procedure may be implemented
 12 10 consistent with the certification.
 12 11    (3)  A term for the certification which shall not exceed
 12 12 five years.
 12 13    2.  At the end of the term for each certified security
 12 14 procedure, or earlier as determined by the commissioner, the
 12 15 security procedure may be reevaluated in light of then-current
 12 16 technology and recertified or decertified as appropriate.  
 12 17                          SUBCHAPTER 4
 12 18                       DIGITAL SIGNATURES
 12 19                             PART 1
 12 20                           DEFINITIONS
 12 21    Sec. 117.  NEW SECTION.  554C.401  DEFINITIONS.
 12 22    As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise
 12 23 requires:
 12 24    1.  "Asymmetric cryptosystem" means a computer-based system
 12 25 capable of generating and using a key pair, consisting of a
 12 26 private key for creating a digital signature, and a public key
 12 27 to verify the digital signature.
 12 28    2.  "Certificate" means a record that at a minimum provides
 12 29 all of the following:
 12 30    a.  Identifies the certification authority issuing the
 12 31 certificate.
 12 32    b.  Names or otherwise identifies its subscriber.
 12 33    c.  Contains a public key that corresponds to a private key
 12 34 under the control of the subscriber.
 12 35    d.  Identifies its operational period.
 13  1    e.  Is digitally signed by the certification authority
 13  2 issuing the certification.
 13  3    3.  "Certification authority" means a person who authorizes
 13  4 and causes the issuance of a certificate.
 13  5    4.  "Certification practice statement" means a statement
 13  6 published by a certification authority or person operating a
 13  7 repository that specifies the policies or practices that the
 13  8 certification authority employs in issuing, suspending, and
 13  9 revoking certificates, and providing access to a certificate.
 13 10    5.  "Correspond" means to belong to the same key pair.
 13 11    6.  "Digital signature" means a type of an electronic
 13 12 signature consisting of a transformation of an electronic
 13 13 record using a message digest function that is encrypted with
 13 14 an asymmetric cryptosystem using the signer's private key in a
 13 15 manner providing that any person having the initial
 13 16 untransformed electronic record, the encrypted transformation,
 13 17 and the signer's public key may accurately determine all of
 13 18 the following:
 13 19    a.  Whether the transformation was created using the
 13 20 private key that corresponds to the signer's public key.
 13 21    b.  Whether the initial electronic record has been altered
 13 22 since the transformation was made.  A digital signature is a
 13 23 security procedure.
 13 24    7.  "Key pair" means, in an asymmetric cryptosystem, two
 13 25 mathematically related keys, having the properties that
 13 26 provide all of the following:
 13 27    a.  One key can encrypt a message which only the other key
 13 28 can decrypt.
 13 29    b.  Even knowing one key, it is computationally infeasible
 13 30 to discover the other key.
 13 31    8.  "Message digest function" means an algorithm that maps
 13 32 or translates the sequence of bits comprising an electronic
 13 33 record into another, generally smaller, set of bits, referred
 13 34 to as the message digest, without requiring the use of any
 13 35 secret information such as a key, in a manner which provides
 14  1 all of the following:
 14  2    a.  A record yields the same message digest every time the
 14  3 algorithm is executed using such record as input.
 14  4    b.  It is computationally infeasible that any two
 14  5 electronic records can be found or deliberately generated that
 14  6 would produce the same message digest using the algorithm
 14  7 unless the two records are identical.
 14  8    9.  "Operational period of a certificate" means a period
 14  9 beginning and ending as follows:
 14 10    a.  The period begins on the date and at the time the
 14 11 certificate is issued by a certification authority or on a
 14 12 later date and at a time certain if stated in the certificate.
 14 13    b.  The period ends on the date and at the time the
 14 14 certificate expires as noted in the certificate or on an
 14 15 earlier date if the certificate is revoked or suspended in
 14 16 accordance with this chapter.
 14 17    10.  "Private key" means the key of a key pair used to
 14 18 create a digital signature.
 14 19    11.  "Public key" means the key of a key pair used to
 14 20 verify a digital signature.
 14 21    12.  "Repository" means a system for storing and retrieving
 14 22 certificates or other information relevant to certificates.
 14 23    13.  "Revoke a certificate" means to permanently end the
 14 24 operational period of a certificate from a specified time
 14 25 forward.
 14 26    14.  "Subscriber" means a person to whom all of the
 14 27 following applies:
 14 28    a.  The person is the subject named or otherwise identified
 14 29 in a certificate issued to the person.
 14 30    b.  The person controls a private key that corresponds to
 14 31 the public key listed in that certificate.
 14 32    c.  The digitally signed messages verified by reference to
 14 33 the certificate are to be attributed to the person.
 14 34    15.  "Suspend a certificate" means to temporarily suspend
 14 35 the operational period of a certificate for a specified time
 15  1 period or from a specified time forward.
 15  2    16.  "Trustworthy system" means a system of computer
 15  3 hardware, software, and procedures that satisfies all of the
 15  4 following:
 15  5    a.  Is reasonably secure from intrusion and misuse.
 15  6    b.  Provides a reasonable level of availability,
 15  7 reliability, and correct operation.
 15  8    c.  Is reasonably suited to performing the system's
 15  9 intended functions.
 15 10    d.  Adheres to generally accepted security procedures.
 15 11    e.  Meets or exceeds the requirements of rules adopted by
 15 12 the commissioner.
 15 13    17.  "Valid certificate" means a certificate that meets the
 15 14 following conditions:
 15 15    a.  The certificate has been issued by a certification
 15 16 authority.
 15 17    b.  The subscriber listed in the certificate has accepted
 15 18 the certificate in accordance with this chapter.
 15 19    18.  "Verify a digital signature" means to use the public
 15 20 key listed in a certificate, together with an appropriate
 15 21 message digest function and public key algorithm, to evaluate
 15 22 a digitally signed electronic record in order to determine all
 15 23 of the following:
 15 24    a.  That the digital signature was created using the
 15 25 private key corresponding to the public key listed in the
 15 26 certificate.
 15 27    b.  The electronic record has not been altered since its
 15 28 digital signature was created.  
 15 29                             PART 2
 15 30                  EFFECT OF A DIGITAL SIGNATURE
 15 31    Sec. 118.  NEW SECTION.  554C.411  SECURE ELECTRONIC
 15 32 RECORD.
 15 33    Subject to the provisions of section 554C.303, an
 15 34 electronic record or any portion thereof that is signed with a
 15 35 digital signature shall be considered to be a secure
 16  1 electronic record if the digital signature was created during
 16  2 the operational period of a valid certificate and is verified
 16  3 by reference to the public key listed in such certificate.
 16  4    Sec. 119.  NEW SECTION.  554C.412  SECURE ELECTRONIC
 16  5 SIGNATURE.
 16  6    Subject to the provisions of section 554C.303, when all or
 16  7 any portion of an electronic record is signed with a digital
 16  8 signature, the digital signature shall be considered a secure
 16  9 electronic signature with respect to all or that portion of
 16 10 the record, if all of the following apply:
 16 11    1.  The digital signature was created during the
 16 12 operational period of a valid certificate, was used within any
 16 13 limits specified or incorporated by reference in the
 16 14 certificate, and can be verified by reference to the public
 16 15 key listed in the certificate.
 16 16    2.  The certificate shall be considered trustworthy, if one
 16 17 of the following is determined by the trier of fact:
 16 18    a.  The certificate was issued by a certification authority
 16 19 in accordance with standards, procedures, and other
 16 20 requirements specified by rule of the commissioner.
 16 21    b.  A trier of fact independently finds one of the
 16 22 following:
 16 23    (1)  That the certificate was issued in a trustworthy
 16 24 manner by a certification authority that properly
 16 25 authenticated the subscriber and the subscriber's public key.
 16 26    (2)  The material information set forth in the certificate
 16 27 is true.
 16 28    3.  The process and systems utilized to create and verify a
 16 29 digital signature are considered trustworthy because one of
 16 30 the following applies:
 16 31    a.  They comply with standards, procedures, and other
 16 32 requirements specified by the commissioner.
 16 33    b.  A trier of fact independently finds that they are
 16 34 trustworthy.
 16 35    Sec. 120  NEW SECTION.  554C.413  COMMISSIONER AUTHORITY TO
 17  1 ADOPT RULES.
 17  2    1.  The commissioner may adopt rules applicable to the
 17  3 public or private sector which define when a certificate and a
 17  4 digital signature is considered sufficiently trustworthy in
 17  5 order to ensure that a digital signature verified by reference
 17  6 to the certificate will qualify as a secure electronic
 17  7 signature.  The rules may include but are not limited to any
 17  8 of the following:
 17  9    a.  Establishing or adopting standards applicable to
 17 10 certification authorities or certificates.  Compliance with
 17 11 the standards may be measured by obtaining a voluntary
 17 12 certification from the commissioner or becoming accredited by
 17 13 one or more independent accrediting entities recognized by the
 17 14 commissioner.
 17 15    b.  Establishing or adopting standards applicable to the
 17 16 digital signature creation or verification process.
 17 17    2.  In adopting rules as provided in this section, the
 17 18 commissioner shall consult with the office of the attorney
 17 19 general and representatives of the division of information
 17 20 technology services of the department of general services.
 17 21 The commissioner shall adopt rules that will provide maximum
 17 22 flexibility in the implementation of digital signature
 17 23 technology and the business models necessary to support it,
 17 24 establish a clear basis for the recognition of certificates
 17 25 issued by foreign certification authorities, and, to the
 17 26 extent reasonably possible, maximize the opportunities for
 17 27 uniformity with the laws of other jurisdictions, both within
 17 28 the United States and internationally.  
 17 29                             PART 3
 17 30                        DUTIES GENERALLY
 17 31    Sec. 121.  NEW SECTION.  554C.421  RELIANCE ON
 17 32 CERTIFICATES.
 17 33    A person relying on a digital signature may also rely on a
 17 34 valid certificate containing the public key by which the
 17 35 digital signature can be verified.
 18  1    Sec. 122.  NEW SECTION.  554C.422  RESTRICTIONS ON
 18  2 PUBLICATION OF CERTIFICATE.
 18  3    A person shall not publish a certificate, or otherwise make
 18  4 it available to anyone known by that person to be in a
 18  5 position to rely on the certificate or on a digital signature
 18  6 that is verifiable with reference to the public key listed in
 18  7 the certificate, if that person knows that any of the
 18  8 following apply:
 18  9    1.  The certification authority listed in the certificate
 18 10 has not issued the certificate.
 18 11    2.  The subscriber listed in the certificate has not
 18 12 accepted the certificate.
 18 13    3.  The certificate has been revoked or suspended, unless
 18 14 the publication is for the purpose of verifying a digital
 18 15 signature created prior to such suspension or revocation.
 18 16    Sec. 123.  NEW SECTION.  554C.423  FRAUDULENT PURPOSE.
 18 17    A person shall not knowingly create, publish, alter, or
 18 18 otherwise use a certificate for a fraudulent or other unlawful
 18 19 purpose.  A person convicted of violating this section is
 18 20 guilty of a serious misdemeanor.  A person convicted of a
 18 21 second or subsequent violation is guilty of a class "D"
 18 22 felony.
 18 23    Sec. 124.  NEW SECTION.  554C.424  FALSE OR UNAUTHORIZED
 18 24 REQUEST.
 18 25    A person shall not knowingly misrepresent the person's
 18 26 identity or authorization in requesting or accepting a
 18 27 certificate or in requesting suspension or revocation of a
 18 28 certificate.  A person convicted of violating this section is
 18 29 guilty of a serious misdemeanor.  A person convicted of a
 18 30 second or subsequent violation is guilty of a class "D"
 18 31 felony.  
 18 32                             PART 4
 18 33      DUTIES OF CERTIFICATION AUTHORITIES AND REPOSITORIES
 18 34    Sec. 125.  NEW SECTION.  554C.431  TRUSTWORTHY SYSTEM.
 18 35    A certification authority and a person maintaining a
 19  1 repository shall utilize a trustworthy system in performing
 19  2 their services.
 19  3    Sec. 126.  NEW SECTION.  554C.432  DISCLOSURE.
 19  4    1.  For each certificate it issues, a certification
 19  5 authority must publish to relying parties all of the
 19  6 following:
 19  7    a.  Its certification practice statement, if the authority
 19  8 has one.
 19  9    b.  Its certification authority certificate that identifies
 19 10 the certification authority as a self-certifying subscriber
 19 11 and that contains the public key corresponding to the private
 19 12 key used by that certification authority to digitally sign the
 19 13 certificate.
 19 14    c.  Notice of a revocation or suspension of its
 19 15 certification authority certificate, and any other fact
 19 16 material relating to either the reliability of a certificate
 19 17 that it has issued or its ability to perform its services.
 19 18    2.  In the event of an occurrence that materially and
 19 19 adversely affects a certification authority's trustworthy
 19 20 system or its certification authority certificate, the
 19 21 certification authority must do all of the following:
 19 22    a.  Use reasonable efforts to notify persons who are known
 19 23 to be or foreseeably will be affected by that occurrence.
 19 24    b.  Act in accordance with procedures governing this type
 19 25 of occurrence specified in its certification practice
 19 26 statement.
 19 27    3.  If a certification authority certifies itself as a
 19 28 certification authority, it shall disclose to all relying
 19 29 parties that it is self-certified.  The certification
 19 30 authority shall publish a copy of its own certification
 19 31 authority certificate that is verifiable by reference to a
 19 32 public key listed in a certificate issued by the certification
 19 33 authority.
 19 34    Sec. 127.  NEW SECTION.  554C.433  ISSUANCE OF A
 19 35 CERTIFICATE.
 20  1    A certification authority may issue a certificate to a
 20  2 prospective subscriber for the purpose of verifying digital
 20  3 signatures only after the certification authority does all of
 20  4 the following:
 20  5    1.  Receives a request for the issuance from the
 20  6 prospective subscriber.
 20  7    2.  Does either of the following:
 20  8    a.  Complies with all of the practices and procedures set
 20  9 forth in its applicable certification practice statement,
 20 10 including procedures regarding identification of the
 20 11 perspective subscriber.
 20 12    b.  In the absence of a certification practice statement,
 20 13 confirms one of the following:
 20 14    (1)  The prospective subscriber is the person to be listed
 20 15 in the certificate to be issued.
 20 16    (2)  The information in the certificate to be issued is
 20 17 accurate.
 20 18    (3)  The prospective subscriber rightfully holds a private
 20 19 key capable of creating a digital signature, and the public
 20 20 key to be listed in the certificate can be used to verify a
 20 21 digital signature affixed by such private key.
 20 22    Sec. 128.  NEW SECTION.  554C.434  REPRESENTATIONS UPON
 20 23 ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE.
 20 24    By issuing a certificate, a certification authority
 20 25 represents to any person who reasonably relies on the
 20 26 certificate or a digital signature verifiable by the public
 20 27 key listed in the certificate, that the certification
 20 28 authority has issued the certificate in accordance with any
 20 29 applicable certification practice statement stated or
 20 30 incorporated by reference in the certificate, or of which the
 20 31 relying person has notice, and the requirements and
 20 32 representations imposed by the law under which it was issued.
 20 33 In the absence of a certification practice statement or law,
 20 34 the certification authority represents that as of the time the
 20 35 certificate is issued it has confirmed all of the following:
 21  1    1.  The certification authority has complied with all
 21  2 applicable requirements of this chapter in issuing the
 21  3 certificate, and if the certification authority has published
 21  4 the certificate or otherwise made it available to a relying
 21  5 person, that the subscriber identified in the certificate has
 21  6 accepted it.
 21  7    2.  The subscriber identified in the certificate,
 21  8 rightfully holds the private key corresponding to the public
 21  9 key listed in the certificate.
 21 10    3.  The subscriber's public key and private key constitute
 21 11 a functioning key pair.
 21 12    4.  All information in the certificate is accurate as of
 21 13 the date it was issued, unless the certification authority has
 21 14 stated in the certificate or incorporated by reference in the
 21 15 certificate a statement that the accuracy of specified
 21 16 information is not confirmed.
 21 17    5.  To the knowledge of the certification authority, there
 21 18 are no known material facts omitted from the certificate which
 21 19 would, if known, adversely affect the reliability of the
 21 20 representations required to be provided by the certification
 21 21 authority under this section.
 21 22    Sec. 129.  NEW SECTION.  554C.435  SUSPENSION OF A
 21 23 CERTIFICATE.
 21 24    The certification authority that issues a certificate, and
 21 25 any person maintaining a repository where the certificate is
 21 26 published, shall suspend the certificate pursuant to any of
 21 27 the following:
 21 28    1.  The receipt of an order issued by a court of competent
 21 29 jurisdiction.
 21 30    2.  In accordance with the policies and procedures
 21 31 governing suspension specified in its certification practice
 21 32 statement.  In the absence of policies and procedures
 21 33 governing suspension, the certificate shall be suspended as
 21 34 soon as possible after receiving a request by a person whom
 21 35 the certification authority or person maintaining a repository
 22  1 reasonably believes to be any of the following:
 22  2    a.  The subscriber listed in the certificate.
 22  3    b.  A person duly authorized to act for that subscriber.
 22  4    c.  A person acting on behalf of that subscriber, who is
 22  5 unavailable.
 22  6    Sec. 130.  NEW SECTION.  554C.436  REVOCATION OF A
 22  7 CERTIFICATE.
 22  8    The certification authority that issues a certificate, and
 22  9 any person maintaining a repository where the certificate is
 22 10 published, shall revoke the certificate pursuant to any of the
 22 11 following:
 22 12    1.  Upon receipt of an order issued by a court of competent
 22 13 jurisdiction.
 22 14    2.  In accordance with the policies and procedures
 22 15 governing revocation specified in its certification practice
 22 16 statement.  In the absence of policies and procedures
 22 17 governing revocation, the certificate shall be revoked as soon
 22 18 as possible after one of the following occurs:
 22 19    a.  Receipt of a request for revocation by the subscriber
 22 20 named in the certificate, if the certification authority or
 22 21 repository confirms that the person requesting the revocation
 22 22 is the subscriber or is an agent of the subscriber with
 22 23 authority to request the revocation.
 22 24    b.  Receipt of a certified copy of an individual
 22 25 subscriber's death certificate, or upon confirmation by other
 22 26 reliable evidence that the subscriber is dead.
 22 27    c.  Presentation of documents effecting a dissolution of a
 22 28 corporate subscriber, or upon confirmation by other evidence
 22 29 that the subscriber has been dissolved or has ceased to exist.
 22 30    d.  Confirmation by the certification authority that one of
 22 31 the following applies:
 22 32    (1)  A material fact represented in the certificate is
 22 33 false.
 22 34    (2)  A material prerequisite to issuance of the certificate
 22 35 was not satisfied.
 23  1    (3)  The certification authority's private key or
 23  2 trustworthy system was compromised in a manner materially
 23  3 affecting the certificate's reliability.
 23  4    (4)  The subscriber's private key or trustworthy system was
 23  5 compromised.
 23  6    Upon effecting a revocation, the certification authority
 23  7 shall promptly notify the subscriber listed in the revoked
 23  8 certificate of the revocation.
 23  9    Sec. 131.  NEW SECTION.  554C.437  NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OR
 23 10 REVOCATION.
 23 11    Upon suspending or revoking a certificate, a person
 23 12 maintaining a repository where the certificate is published
 23 13 shall do all of the following:
 23 14    1.  Promptly publish notice of the suspension or revocation
 23 15 if the certificate was published.
 23 16    2.  Disclose the fact of suspension or revocation on
 23 17 inquiry by a relying party.  
 23 18                             PART 5
 23 19                      DUTIES OF SUBSCRIBERS
 23 20    Sec. 132.  NEW SECTION.  554C.441  GENERATING THE KEY PAIR.
 23 21    If the subscriber generates the key pair whose public key
 23 22 is to be listed in a certificate issued by a certification
 23 23 authority and accepted by the subscriber, the subscriber must
 23 24 generate that key pair and maintain and store the private key
 23 25 using a trustworthy system.
 23 26    Sec. 133.  NEW SECTION.  554C.442  OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE.
 23 27    All material representations made by the subscriber to a
 23 28 certification authority for purposes of obtaining a
 23 29 certificate must be accurate and complete.
 23 30    Sec. 134.  NEW SECTION.  554C.443  ACCEPTANCE OF A
 23 31 CERTIFICATE.
 23 32    1.  A person accepts a certificate that names a person as a
 23 33 subscriber by publishing it to one or more persons, depositing
 23 34 the certificate in a repository, or demonstrating approval of
 23 35 the certificate, while knowing or having notice of its
 24  1 contents.
 24  2    2.  By accepting a certificate, the subscriber listed in
 24  3 the certificate represents to all who reasonably rely on the
 24  4 information contained in the certificate that all of the
 24  5 following apply:
 24  6    a.  The subscriber rightfully holds the private key
 24  7 corresponding to the public key listed in the certificate.
 24  8    b.  All representations made by the subscriber to the
 24  9 certification authority and material to the information listed
 24 10 in the certificate are true.
 24 11    c.  All information in the certificate that is within the
 24 12 knowledge of the subscriber is true.
 24 13    Sec. 135.  NEW SECTION.  554C.444  CONTROL OF THE PRIVATE
 24 14 KEY.
 24 15    1.  Except as otherwise provided by another applicable rule
 24 16 of law, by accepting a certificate issued by a certification
 24 17 authority the subscriber identified in the certificate assumes
 24 18 a duty to persons who reasonably rely on the certificate to
 24 19 exercise reasonable care to retain control of the private key
 24 20 corresponding to the public key listed in the certificate and
 24 21 to prevent its disclosure to a person not authorized to create
 24 22 the subscriber's digital signature.  The requirements of this
 24 23 subsection shall continue during the operational period of the
 24 24 certificate.
 24 25    2.  The provisions of this section do not apply to consumer
 24 26 transactions.
 24 27    Sec. 136.  NEW SECTION.  554C.445  INITIATING SUSPENSION OR
 24 28 REVOCATION.
 24 29    Except as otherwise provided by another applicable rule of
 24 30 law, if the private key corresponding to the public key listed
 24 31 in a certificate is compromised during the operational period
 24 32 of the certificate, a subscriber who has accepted the
 24 33 certificate shall do one of the following:
 24 34    1.  Request the issuing certification authority, and all
 24 35 independent repositories in which the subscriber has
 25  1 authorized the certificate to be published, to suspend or
 25  2 revoke the certificate.
 25  3    2.  Provide reasonable notice to all relying parties that
 25  4 the public key listed in the certificate was compromised
 25  5 during the operational period of the certificate.  
 25  6                             PART 6
 25  7   GOVERNMENT AGENCY USE OF ELECTRONIC RECORDS AND SIGNATURES
 25  8    Sec. 137.  NEW SECTION.  554C.451  GOVERNMENT AGENCY USE OF
 25  9 ELECTRONIC RECORDS.
 25 10    1.  Each government agency shall determine if, and the
 25 11 extent to which, it will send and receive electronic records
 25 12 and electronic signatures to and from other persons.
 25 13    2.  In any case where a government agency decides to send
 25 14 or receive electronic records, or to accept document filings
 25 15 by electronic records, the government agency may, by rule,
 25 16 giving due consideration to security, specify any of the
 25 17 following:
 25 18    a.  The manner and format in which electronic records must
 25 19 be sent, received, and stored, including interoperability
 25 20 requirements.
 25 21    b.  If electronic records must be signed, the type of
 25 22 electronic signature required including, if applicable, a
 25 23 requirement that the sender use a digital signature or other
 25 24 secure electronic signature, the manner and format in which
 25 25 the electronic signature must be affixed to the electronic
 25 26 record, and the identity of or criteria that must be met by a
 25 27 certification authority used by the person filing the
 25 28 document.
 25 29    c.  Control processes and procedures which are appropriate
 25 30 to ensure adequate integrity, security, confidentiality, and
 25 31 auditability of electronic records.
 25 32    d.  Any other required attributes for electronic records
 25 33 that are currently specified for corresponding paper
 25 34 documents, or reasonably necessary under the circumstances.
 25 35    3.  All rules adopted by a government agency shall be
 26  1 consistent with the rules adopted by the commissioner.
 26  2    Sec. 138.  NEW SECTION.  554C.452  COMMISSIONER TO ADOPT
 26  3 STATE STANDARDS.
 26  4    1.  The commissioner, in consultation with the office of
 26  5 the attorney general and the division of information
 26  6 technology services of the department of general services,
 26  7 shall adopt rules setting forth standards, procedures, and
 26  8 policies for the use of electronic records and electronic
 26  9 signatures by government agencies.  Where appropriate, the
 26 10 rules shall specify different levels of standards from which
 26 11 implementing government agencies can select the standard most
 26 12 appropriate for a particular application.
 26 13    2.  The commissioner shall specify appropriate procedural
 26 14 and technical security requirements to be implemented and
 26 15 followed by government agencies for all of the following:
 26 16    a.  The generation, use, and storage of key pairs.
 26 17    b.  The issuance, acceptance, use, suspension, and
 26 18 revocation of certificates.
 26 19    c.  The use of digital signatures.
 26 20    3.  Each government agency shall have the authority to
 26 21 issue, or contract for the issuance of, certificates to all of
 26 22 the following:
 26 23    a.  Its employees and agents.
 26 24    b.  Persons conducting business or other transactions with
 26 25 the government agency.  The government agency may take other
 26 26 actions consistent with this authority, including the
 26 27 establishment of repositories and the suspension or revocation
 26 28 of issued certificates, provided that actions by the
 26 29 government agency are conducted in accordance with all rules,
 26 30 procedures, and policies specified by the commissioner.  The
 26 31 commissioner may adopt rules, procedures, and policies under
 26 32 which government agencies may issue or contract for the
 26 33 issuance of certificates, or restrict or prohibit their
 26 34 issuance.
 26 35    4.  The commissioner may specify appropriate standards and
 27  1 requirements that must be satisfied by a certification
 27  2 authority before any of the following occur:
 27  3    a.  The services of a certification authority are used by a
 27  4 government agency for the issuance, publication, suspension,
 27  5 or revocation of certificates to the government agency,
 27  6 including its employees or agents, for official use only.
 27  7    b.  The certificates that the certification authority
 27  8 issues are accepted for purposes of verifying digitally signed
 27  9 electronic records sent to any government agency by any
 27 10 person.
 27 11    Sec. 139.  NEW SECTION.  554C.453  INTEROPERABILITY.
 27 12    To the extent reasonable under the circumstances, rules
 27 13 adopted by the commissioner or a government agency relating to
 27 14 the use of electronic records or electronic signatures shall
 27 15 be drafted in a manner designed to encourage and promote
 27 16 consistency and interoperability with similar requirements
 27 17 adopted by government agencies of other states and the federal
 27 18 government.  
 27 19                           DIVISION II
 27 20                      CONFORMING PROVISIONS
 27 21    Sec. 201.  Section 22.7, Code Supplement 1997, is amended
 27 22 by adding the following new subsection:
 27 23    NEW SUBSECTION.  38.  a.  Records containing information
 27 24 that would disclose, or might lead to the disclosure of,
 27 25 private keys as provided in section 554C.
 27 26    b.  Records which if disclosed might jeopardize the
 27 27 security of an issued certificate or a certificate to be
 27 28 issued pursuant to chapter 554C.
 27 29    Sec. 202.  COMMISSIONER REQUIRED TO ADOPT RULES.  The
 27 30 commissioner of insurance shall adopt rules as required by
 27 31 this Act not later than July 1, 1999.  
 27 32                           EXPLANATION
 27 33    This bill relates to electronic commerce security.
 27 34    The bill creates a new Code chapter relating to electronic
 27 35 commerce referred to as new Code chapter 554C.
 28  1    New Code section 554C.101 provides the short title for the
 28  2 chapter, referred to as the "Iowa Electronic Commerce Security
 28  3 Act".
 28  4    New Code section 554C.102 provides for the purposes and
 28  5 construction of the chapter.  The bill provides that the
 28  6 chapter must be construed consistently with what is
 28  7 commercially reasonable under the circumstances to effectuate
 28  8 electronic communications by means of reliable electronic
 28  9 records; facilitate and promote electronic commerce by
 28 10 eliminating certain present barriers; facilitate the
 28 11 electronic filing of documents with state and local government
 28 12 agencies; minimizing the incidence of forged electronic
 28 13 records; establishing uniformity of regulations and standards;
 28 14 promoting public confidence in the integrity, reliability, and
 28 15 legality of electronic records and electronic commerce.
 28 16    New Code section 554C.103 provides for variation by
 28 17 agreement between parties involved in generating, sending,
 28 18 receiving, storing, or otherwise processing electronic
 28 19 records.  The bill provides certain exceptions.  It also
 28 20 provides that the bill is not to be construed to require a
 28 21 person to engage in electronic commerce.
 28 22    New Code section 554C.201 provides for definitions as used
 28 23 in the chapter, including the definitions for electronic
 28 24 record and electronic signature.  An "electronic record" is
 28 25 defined to means a record generated, communicated, received,
 28 26 or stored by electronic means.  An "electronic signature"
 28 27 means a signature in electronic form attached to or logically
 28 28 associated with an electronic record.
 28 29    New Code section 554C.202 provides that information cannot
 28 30 be denied legal effect solely on the grounds that it is in the
 28 31 form of an electronic record or an electronic signature.
 28 32    New Code section 554C.203 provides that where a rule of law
 28 33 requires information to be written, or in writing, an
 28 34 electronic record satisfies that rule of law.  This
 28 35 requirement does not apply to the construction of a rule of
 29  1 law that would be inconsistent with its purpose.
 29  2    New Code section 554C.204 provides that where a rule of law
 29  3 requires a signature, an electronic signature satisfies that
 29  4 rule of law.  This requirement does not apply to defeat an
 29  5 expressed purpose of a rule of law; the creation or execution
 29  6 of a will or trust, living will, general, durable, or
 29  7 healthcare power of attorney, a voluntary, involuntary, or
 29  8 standby guardianship or conservatorship; any record that
 29  9 serves as a unique and transferable physical expression of
 29 10 rights and obligations in consumer transactions; or any record
 29 11 that grants a legal or equitable interest in real property in
 29 12 consumer transactions.
 29 13    New Code section 554C.205 provides that where a rule of law
 29 14 requires information to be presented or retained in its
 29 15 original form that rule of law is satisfied by an electronic
 29 16 record if there exists reliable assurance as to the integrity
 29 17 of the information.
 29 18    New Code section 554C.206 provides that in any legal
 29 19 proceeding, nothing in the application of the rules of
 29 20 evidence shall apply to deny the admissibility of an
 29 21 electronic record or electronic signature into evidence based
 29 22 on the sole ground that it is an electronic record or
 29 23 electronic signature or it is not in its original form with
 29 24 some exceptions.  The section provides that information in the
 29 25 form of an electronic record must be given due evidential
 29 26 weight by the trier of fact.
 29 27    New Code section 554C.207 provides that where a rule of law
 29 28 requires that certain documents, records, or information be
 29 29 retained that requirement is met by retaining electronic
 29 30 records of the information.
 29 31    New Code section 554C.301 provides for securing electronic
 29 32 records by utilizing a qualified security procedure which
 29 33 detects changes in the information's content.
 29 34    New Code section 554C.302 provides for secure electronic
 29 35 signatures.  It provides that an electronic signature shall be
 30  1 considered to be a secure electronic signature if executed
 30  2 utilizing a qualified security procedure.
 30  3    New Code section 554C.303 provides additional requirements
 30  4 for secure status information.  It provides requirements for
 30  5 proving that an electronic record or electronic signature
 30  6 qualifies for secure status, including providing for special
 30  7 procedures.  The bill provides that the security procedure
 30  8 must be commercially reasonable, as determined by the trier of
 30  9 fact.
 30 10    New Code section 554C.304 provides for a rebuttable
 30 11 presumption when resolving a civil dispute involving a secure
 30 12 electronic record.  The bill provides for a rebuttable
 30 13 presumption relating to alterations of an electronic record
 30 14 and the legitimacy of an electronic signature.  The effect of
 30 15 the presumption is to place on the party challenging the
 30 16 integrity of a secure electronic record or challenging the
 30 17 genuineness of a secure electronic signature both the burden
 30 18 of going forward with evidence to rebut the presumption and
 30 19 the burden of persuading the trier of fact that the falsity of
 30 20 the presumed fact is more probable than the truth of its
 30 21 existence.
 30 22    New Code section 554C.305 provides that a secure electronic
 30 23 signature is attributable to the person to whom it correlates.
 30 24 The attribution may apply whether or not authorized, when the
 30 25 access occurred under circumstances constituting a failure to
 30 26 exercise reasonable care and the recipient reasonably relied
 30 27 to the recipient's detriment on the apparent source of the
 30 28 electronic record.  Consumer transactions are excluded from
 30 29 this provision.
 30 30    New Code section 554C.306 provides that a security
 30 31 procedure may be certified by the commissioner of insurance if
 30 32 the technology utilized by the security procedure is
 30 33 completely open and fully disclosed to the public, the
 30 34 certification is in accordance with the rules adopted by the
 30 35 commissioner, and the certification complies with requirements
 31  1 relating to its trustworthiness.
 31  2    New Code section 554C.401 provides a number of special
 31  3 definitions which apply to digital signatures.
 31  4    New Code section 554C.411 provides that an electronic
 31  5 record that is signed with a digital signature is considered
 31  6 to be a secure electronic record if the digital signature was
 31  7 created during the operational period of a valid certificate
 31  8 issued by the commissioner.
 31  9    New Code section 554C.412 provides that when an electronic
 31 10 record is signed with a digital signature, the digital
 31 11 signature is considered a secure electronic signature if it
 31 12 meets certain requirements.  It must have been created during
 31 13 the period when a valid certificate was issued by a
 31 14 certification authority in accordance with standards,
 31 15 procedures, and other requirements specified by rule of the
 31 16 commissioner of insurance, or found to be trustworthy by the
 31 17 findings of a trier of fact.
 31 18    New Code section 554C.413 provides that the commissioner of
 31 19 insurance may adopt rules applicable to the public or private
 31 20 sector which define when a certificate and a digital signature
 31 21 are considered sufficiently trustworthy.
 31 22    New Code section 554C.421 provides that a person relying on
 31 23 a digital signature may also rely on a valid certificate
 31 24 containing a public key by which the digital signature can be
 31 25 verified.
 31 26    New Code section 554C.422 prohibits a person from
 31 27 publishing or making available a certificate if that person
 31 28 knows that the certification authority listed in the
 31 29 certificate has not issued the certificate, the subscriber
 31 30 listed in the certificate has not accepted the certificate, or
 31 31 the certificate has been revoked or suspended.
 31 32    New Code section 554C.423 prohibits a person from knowingly
 31 33 creating, publishing, altering, or otherwise using a
 31 34 certificate for a fraudulent or other unlawful purpose.  A
 31 35 person convicted of violating this section is guilty of a
 32  1 serious misdemeanor.  A person convicted of a second or
 32  2 subsequent violation is guilty of a class "D" felony.
 32  3    New Code section 554C.424 prohibits a person from knowingly
 32  4 misrepresenting the person's identity or authorization in
 32  5 requesting or accepting a certificate or in requesting
 32  6 suspension or revocation of a certificate.  A person convicted
 32  7 of violating this section is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.
 32  8 A person convicted of a second or subsequent violation is
 32  9 guilty of a class "D" felony.
 32 10    New Code section 554C.431 provides that a person designated
 32 11 as a certification authority and a person maintaining a
 32 12 repository must utilize a trustworthy system in performing
 32 13 their services.
 32 14    New Code section 554C.432 provides for disclose to parties
 32 15 relying upon a certification, a certification practice
 32 16 statement, a certification authority certification, and a
 32 17 notice of a revocation or suspension of its certification
 32 18 authority certificate.
 32 19    New Code section 554C.433 provides for the issuance of a
 32 20 certificate to a prospective subscriber for the purpose of
 32 21 verifying digital signatures.
 32 22    New Code section 554C.434 provides that by issuing a
 32 23 certificate, a certification authority represents to any
 32 24 person who reasonably relies on the certificate or a digital
 32 25 signature verifiable by the public key listed in the
 32 26 certificate, that the certification authority has issued the
 32 27 certificate in accordance with any applicable certification
 32 28 practice statement.  The statement shall provide that the
 32 29 certification authority has complied with all applicable
 32 30 requirements of the bill and that all information in the
 32 31 certificate is accurate.
 32 32    New Code section 554C.435 provides for the suspension of a
 32 33 certificate by the certification authority that issues a
 32 34 certificate.
 32 35    New Code section 554C.436 provides that the certification
 33  1 authority that issues a certificate, and any person
 33  2 maintaining a repository where the certificate is published,
 33  3 must revoke the certificate upon receipt of an order issued by
 33  4 a court of competent jurisdiction or in accordance with the
 33  5 policies and procedures governing revocation specified in its
 33  6 certification practice statement.
 33  7    New Code section 554C.437 provides for a notice of
 33  8 suspension or revocation.
 33  9    New Code section 554C.441 provides that if a subscriber
 33 10 generates the key pair whose public key is to be listed in a
 33 11 certificate issued by a certification authority and accepted
 33 12 by the subscriber, the subscriber must generate that key pair
 33 13 and maintain and store the private key using a trustworthy
 33 14 system.
 33 15    New Code section 554C.442 provides that all material
 33 16 representations made by the subscriber to a certification
 33 17 authority for purposes of obtaining a certificate must be
 33 18 accurate and complete.
 33 19    New Code section 554C.443 provides that a person accepts a
 33 20 certificate that names a person as a subscriber by publishing
 33 21 it to one or more persons, depositing the certificate in a
 33 22 repository, or demonstrating approval of the certificate,
 33 23 while knowing or having notice of its contents.
 33 24    New Code section 554C.444 provides that by accepting a
 33 25 certificate issued by a certification authority the subscriber
 33 26 identified in the certificate assumes a duty to persons who
 33 27 reasonably rely on the certificate to exercise reasonable care
 33 28 to retain control of the private key corresponding to the
 33 29 public key listed in the certificate and to prevent its
 33 30 disclosure to an unauthorized person.  The provisions of this
 33 31 section do not apply to consumer transactions.
 33 32    New Code section 554C.445 provides that if a private key
 33 33 corresponding to the public key listed in a certificate is
 33 34 compromised during the operational period of the certificate,
 33 35 a subscriber who has accepted the certificate must take
 34  1 security actions to protect relying parties.
 34  2    New Code section 554C.451 provides that each government
 34  3 agency must determine if, and the extent to which, it will
 34  4 send and receive electronic records and electronic signatures
 34  5 to and from other persons.
 34  6    New Code section 554C.452 provides that the commissioner of
 34  7 insurance, in consultation with the office of the attorney
 34  8 general and the division of information technology services of
 34  9 the department of general services, shall adopt rules setting
 34 10 forth standards, procedures, and policies for the use of
 34 11 electronic records and electronic signatures by government
 34 12 agencies.
 34 13    New Code section 554C.453 provides that rules adopted by
 34 14 the insurance commissioner or a government agency relating to
 34 15 the use of electronic records or electronic signatures must be
 34 16 drafted in a manner designed to encourage and promote
 34 17 consistency and interoperability with similar requirements
 34 18 adopted by government agencies of other states and the federal
 34 19 government.
 34 20    The bill provides conforming amendments.  The bill requires
 34 21 that the commissioner of insurance adopt rules as required by
 34 22 the bill not later than July 1, 1999.  
 34 23 LSB 3386XL 77
 34 24 da/jw/5
     

Text: SSB02140                          Text: SSB02142
Text: SSB02100 - SSB02199               Text: SSB Index
Bills and Amendments: General Index     Bill History: General Index

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