MontanaHB 11169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Adopt Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act

Sponsored By: Steve Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Information TechnologyLegislature

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Authentication makes online laws reliable

When an electronic record is named official, the publisher must authenticate it. Users get a way to check that a copy matches the official version. An authenticated record is presumed accurate. Authenticated records from other states with similar laws get the same presumption. Anyone who challenges authenticity must prove it by a preponderance of the evidence.

Common standards and federal e-sign rules

Publishers must consider other states’ practices, current standards, user needs, and stakeholder views when they implement this law. They should, when practical, use methods that work with similar laws in other states. The law modifies and supersedes parts of the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act. It does not change 15 U.S.C. 7001(c) and does not allow electronic delivery of the notices in 15 U.S.C. 7003(b).

Permanent access and backup for laws

Publishers must preserve and secure official records. They may keep them in electronic or non-electronic form. If kept electronically, they must protect integrity, keep backups, have disaster recovery, and keep files usable over time. Preserved material must be reasonably available to the public on a permanent basis.

Which online Montana laws are official

Beginning October 1, 2025, the state can name some electronic legal texts as the official record. The law applies when material is first published electronically on or after that date and is designated as official. If a publisher releases the law only online, it must designate the online record as official and follow the rules. If a publisher releases both print and online, it may make the online copy official only if it meets the law’s safeguards.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Steve Fitzpatrick
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Mary Ann Dunwell
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 278 • No: 20

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 1/22/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 86 • No: 14

House vote • 1/21/2025