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H.R. 1714 106th Congress House

Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act

Official title: To facilitate the use of electronic records and signatures in interstate or foreign commerce.

Introduced: May 6, 1999 See on congress.gov
Commerce Administrative procedureBusiness recordsChecksComputer security measures
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Computers and governmentCongressCongressional reporting requirementsConsumer protectionContractsElectronic commerceElectronic data interchangeElectronic mail systemsEncryptionExpress serviceFederal preemptionFinance and Financial SectorForeign Trade and International FinanceFree enterpriseGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernmental investigationsHealthIdentification devicesIndependent regulatory commissionsInjunctionsInterstate commerceLawLegislationNontariff trade barriersPostal servicePublic healthScience, Technology, CommunicationsSecurities and Exchange CommissionSecurities fraudSecurities industrySecurities regulationState lawsTransportation and Public Works
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This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 48 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 19, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Nov 10, 1999
Received in the Senate.
Nov 9, 1999
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 9, 1999
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 356 - 66 (Roll no. 579).
Nov 9, 1999
Considered as unfinished business.
Nov 9, 1999
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on passage by voice vote and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. LaFalce demanded a recorded vote. Pursuant to H. Res. 366, further proceedings were postponed.
Nov 9, 1999
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Nov 9, 1999
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Nov 9, 1999
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1714.
Nov 9, 1999
DEBATE - Pursuant to H. Res. 366, the Committee is debating the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Dingell for thirty minutes.
Nov 9, 1999
DEBATE - Pursuant to H. Res. 366, the Committee is debating the amendment offered by Mr. Inslee for thirty minutes.
Nov 9, 1999
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1714.
Nov 9, 1999
The Speaker designated the Honorable Henry Bonilla to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Nov 9, 1999
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 366 and Rule XXIII.
Nov 9, 1999
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1714 with 1 hour of general debate. In lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on Commerce and the Judiciary now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment an amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record and numbered one. The previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Specified amendments are in order.
Nov 9, 1999
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 366. (consideration: CR H11732-11755, H11762-11763)
Nov 9, 1999
Rule H. Res. 366 passed House.
Nov 8, 1999
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 366 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1714 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Specified amendments are in order.
Nov 1, 1999
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 1, 1999
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 234 - 122 (Roll no. 552).
Nov 1, 1999
Considered as unfinished business.
Nov 1, 1999
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Nov 1, 1999
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1714.
Nov 1, 1999
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11162-11170, H11178)
Nov 1, 1999
Mr. Bliley moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Oct 15, 1999
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 222.
Oct 15, 1999
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 106-341, Part II.
Oct 13, 1999
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Oct 13, 1999
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 7, 1999
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Oct 7, 1999
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sep 30, 1999
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Sep 27, 1999
Referred sequentially to the House Committee on the Judiciary for a period ending not later than Oct. 15, 1999 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(k), rule x.
Sep 27, 1999
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 106-341, Part I.
Sep 27, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.
Aug 5, 1999
Ms. Pryce (OH) asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce have until midnight on Sept. 7 to file a report on H.R. 1714. Agreed to without objection.
Aug 5, 1999
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
Aug 5, 1999
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 29, 1999
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 29, 1999
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 21, 1999
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 21, 1999
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 24, 1999
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jun 9, 1999
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
May 25, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials.
May 25, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
May 6, 1999
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
May 6, 1999
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Nov 9, 1999 House · vote #579 On Passage Passed 356–66 See who voted →
Nov 1, 1999 House · vote #552 Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Failed 234–122 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 1 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 553 – Amendment no. 2 printed in H. Rept. 106-462 to recognize the validity of electronic signatures and records in… Failed Nov 9, 1999
HAMDT 552 – Amendment no. 1 printed in H. Rept. 106-462 to require that consumers must affirmatively consent to receive e… Agreed to Nov 9, 1999
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 Latest action November 19, 1999

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act - Title I: Validity of Electronic Records and Signatures for Commerce - Prohibits a rule of law from denying the legal effect of certain instruments of electronic commerce on the ground that: (1) they are not in writing, if they are electronic records; or (2) they are not signed or affirmed by a signature, if they have been signed or affirmed by electronic signature.

(Sec. 101) Upholds the legal effect of such instruments regardless of the type or method of electronic record or signature selected by the signatories. Emphasizes that this Act does not require a party to use or accept electronic records or signatures.

Cites circumstances in which an electronic record satisfies any statute, regulation, or other rule of law mandating: (1) availability to the customer of a record in writing; (2) retention of a contract, agreement, or record in writing or in its original form; and (3) retention of a check. Upholds the contestability of signatures and charges.

(Sec. 102) Cites circumstances in which a State statute or rule of law may alter or supersede the general rule of validity governing instruments of electronic commerce under this Act, including: (1) that such statute or rule of law constitutes an enactment or adoption of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as reported by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State laws; and (2) a State requirement that certain notices be in writing for the protection of the public health and safety of consumers.

(Sec. 103) Specifies legal and commercial instruments excluded from the purview of this Act, including: (1) certain testamentary instruments; (2) matters of family law; (3) certain instruments under the Uniform Commercial Code; (4) certain judicial documents; (5) certain credit-related proceedings; (6) the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act; and (7) the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act.

(Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct inquiries and report to Congress on: (1) compliance with this Act of State statutes and regulations; and (2) the effectiveness of the delivery of electronic records to consumers using electronic mail as compared with delivery of written records via the U.S. Postal Service and private express mail service.

Title II: Development and Adoption of Electronic Signature Products and Services - Directs the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, to conduct inquiries into and report to Congress on: (1) domestic and foreign impediments to commerce in electronic signature products and services; (2) constraints imposed by foreign nations and international organizations that constitute barriers to providers of such products or services; and (3) the degree to which other nations and international organizations comply with specified related principles.

(Sec. 201) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, to promote the acceptance and use of electronic signatures in interstate and foreign commerce.

Title III: Use of Electronic Records and Signatures Under Federal Securities Law - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to reflect the provisions of this Act regarding the use of electronic records and signatures. Authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission to: (1) prescribe implementing regulations following certain guidelines; (2) require that records be filed in a specified standard or format; and (3) require manual signatures in certain circumstances to deter fraud.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 761 Procedurally related Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act
  • HRES 366 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1714) to facilitate the use of electronic records and signatures in inter…
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1714: Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-1714/
MLA
"H.R. 1714: Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-1714/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1714, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-1714/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1714: Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-1714/)
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