PUBLIC LAW 105-277—OCT. 21, 1998 112 STAT. 2681-750 means of 50,000 or more submittals of a particular form to take all steps necessary to ensure that multiple methods of electronic signatures are available for the submittal of such form. (2) The Director shall ensure the compatibility of the procedures under paragraph (1)(A) in consultation with appropriate private bodies and State government entities that set standards for the use and acceptance of electronic signatures. SEC. 1704. DEADLINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY EXECUTIVE AGENCIES OF PROCEDURES FOR USE AND ACCEPTANCE OF ELEC- TRONIC SIGNATURES. In order to fulfill the responsibility to administer the functions assigned under chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, the provisions of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (divisions D and E of Public Law 104-106) and the amendments made by that Act, and the provisions of this title, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall ensure that, commencing not later than five years after the date of enactment of this Act, Executive agencies provide— (1) for the option of the electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information, when practicable as a substitute for paper; and (2) for the use and acceptance of electronic signatures, when practicable. SEC. 1705. ELECTRONIC STORAGE AND FILING OF EMPLOYMENT FORMS. In order to fulfill the responsibility to administer the functions assigned under chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, the provisions of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (divisions D and E of Public Law 104-106) and the amendments made by that Act, and the provisions of this title, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall, not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, develop procedures to permit private employers to store and file electronically with Executive agencies forms containing information pertaining to the employees of such employers. SEC. 1706. STUDY ON USE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. (a) ONGOING STUDY REQUIRED.— In order to fulfill the responsibility to administer the fiuictions assigned under chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, the provisions of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (divisions D and E of Public Law 104-106) and the amendments made by that Act, and the provisions of this title, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall, in cooperation with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, conduct an ongoing study of the use of electronic signatures under this title on— (1) paperwork reduction and electronic commerce; (2) individual privacy; and (3) the security and authenticity of transactions. (b) REPORTS. — The Director shall submit to Congress on a periodic basis a report describing the results of the study carried out under subsection (a).
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