HomeMy WebLinkAbout50-18 - Res. Authorizing the Use and Acceptance of Electronic Signatures BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MASON COUNY
STATE OF WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION
NO. 50-1
TO AUTHORIZE THE USE AND ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES
WHEREAS, Chapter 19.34 RCW, the Washington electronic authentication act, states in RCW
19.34.010(4) that electronic signatures may be used for "official public business to provide reasonable
assurance of the integrity, authenticity, and nonrepudiation of an electronic communication;" and
WHEREAS, Chapter 19.360 RCW defines local agencies intent, use and acceptance of electronic
signatures and records, and
WHEREAS, the need to pursue modern methods of serving our citizens while preserving the public's
right to access, and judiciously using scarce county resources to achieve maximum benefit; and
WHEREAS, in the absence of establish county standards, policies, or guidelines, previously acknowledge
electronic signatures, and
WHEREAS, such standards, policies, or guidelines must consider reasonable access by and ability of
persons to participate in governmental affairs or governmental transactions and be able to rely on
transactions that are conducted electronically with the county; and
WHEREAS,to provide a single point of access, the county must establish its website to maintain or link
to the agency rules and policies established pursuant to RCW 19.360; and
WHEREAS, a digital signature under the Washington electronic authentication act is as legal as a written
signature if the electronic signature meets adopted county standards, policies, or guidelines; and
WHEREAS, passwords used to protect an electronic signature, is the personal property of the user and is
exempt from public inspection and copying under Chapter 42.56 RCW; and
WHEREAS, a digital message is as valid, enforceable and effective as if it had been written on paper if it
satisfies the requirements in RCW 19.34.320; and
WHEREAS, per the state board of registration, it is accepted practice for engineering, land surveying and
on-site wastewater design documents to be prepared, stored and transmitted in electronic format; and
WHEREAS, an electronically signed document is an original of that document.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the County Commissioners, after due deliberation and in the best
interest of the public, does hereby authorize County employees who are designated by the Department
Head or Elected Official to accept electronic signatures or may electronically sign documents within their
designated authority, providing that:
1. The applicant and/or employee does not provide information they know to be untrue; and
2. The applicant and/or employee is authorized to sign such documents; and
3. The applicant and/or employee has not disclosed their password to any other individual; and
4. The appearance of the electronic signature contains the following:
a. For applicants;
i. Applicant full first and last legal name
ii. Acknowledgement of digital signature in-lieu-of physical signature (e.g. using an
"I accept" or"I agree" check box with an affirmation statement), and
iii. The date and time of the electronic signature (maybe waived if using self-
auditing software)
b. For employees;
i. Employee's first and last name typed.
ii. Title, with county identification number (if applicable, designated authority or
department)
iii. The date and time of the electronic signature (maybe waived if using self-
auditing software)
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ADOPTED this�day offo6QF�ti`YYY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST:V,n-,Og, Q,---
Randy eatherlin, Chair
Me ssa ewry, CIA of the Board 1\
APPROVED AS TO FORM: Terri M. Drexler, Commissioner
Tim Whitehead;,Chief DPA Kevin Shutty,4mmissioner