[legalxml-enotary] Electronic Government Act of 2002

[Jerry Johnson <jerry.johnson@dir.state.tx.us>]

On Wednesday the Subcommittee on Technology and Procurement Policy held
a 
Legislative Hearing on "S. 803 and H.R. 2458, the Electronic Government
Act of 2002." Here are some brief issues/key sections: 

Sec. 202. Federal agency responsibilities. ~ (c) AVOIDING DIMINISHED
ACCESS- When promulgating policies and implementing programs regarding
the provision of Government information and services over the Internet,
agency heads shall consider the impact on persons without access to the
Internet, and shall, to the extent practicable--
(1) ensure that the availability of Government information and services
has not been diminished for individuals who lack access to the Internet;
and
(2) pursue alternate modes of delivery that make Government information
and services more accessible to individuals who do not own computers or
lack access to the Internet.

(d) ACCESSIBILITY TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES- All actions taken by
Federal departments and agencies under this Act shall be in compliance
with section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d).

(e) SPONSORED ACTIVITIES- Agencies shall sponsor activities that use
information technology to engage the public in the development and
implementation of policies and programs.

Sec. 203. Compatibility of Executive agency methods for use and
acceptance of electronic signatures.
(a) PURPOSE- The purpose of this section is to achieve interoperable
implementation of electronic signatures for appropriately secure
electronic transactions with Government.

(b) ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES- In order to fulfill the objectives of the
Government Paperwork Elimination Act (Public Law 105-277; 112 Stat.
2681-749 through 2681-751), each Executive agency (as defined under
section 105 of title 5, United States Code) shall ensure that its
methods for use and acceptance of electronic signatures are compatible
with the relevant policies and procedures issued by the Director.

(c) AUTHORITY FOR ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES- The Administrator of General
Services shall support the Director by establishing a framework to allow
efficient interoperability among Executive agencies when using
electronic signatures, including processing of digital signatures.

(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be
appropriated to the General Services Administration, to ensure the
development and operation of a Federal bridge certification authority
for digital signature compatibility, or for other activities consistent
with this section, $8,000,000 in fiscal year 2003, and such sums as are
necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.

Sec. 204. Federal Internet portal.
(B) An ongoing effort to ensure that Internet-based Government services
relevant to a given citizen activity are available from a single point.

(C) Access to Federal Government information and services consolidated,
as appropriate, with Internet-based information and services provided by
State, local, and tribal governments.

Sec. 205. Federal courts (Long Section on electronic filings and
information on line)

Sec. 207. Accessibility, usability, and preservation of Government
information. (Also a long section on e-records, information on line, and
public domain directory)

Sec. 208. Privacy provisions. (B) AGENCY ACTIVITIES- To the extent
required under subparagraph (A), each agency shall--
(i) conduct a privacy impact assessment;
(ii) ensure the review of the privacy impact assessment by the Chief
Information Officer, or equivalent official, as determined by the head
of the agency; and
(iii) if practicable, after completion of the review under clause (ii),
make the privacy impact assessment publicly available through the
website of the agency, publication in the Federal Register, or other
means.

Sec. 215. Disparities in access to the Internet. (Requires a report)

Opening comments, witness list and testimony are available at 
 http://reform.house.gov/tapps/hearings.htm

Note: The revisions are not availabe as yet from GPO, but are from
Thomas
http://thomas.loc.gov search on s803.

                  Cheers - Jerry