011-20 - Resolution - Auth Use of Digital and Electronic Signature Technology and Ratifying During Declared EmergencyRESOLUTION NO. OLL.2O
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT ORCHARD, WASHINGTON,
AUTHORIZING THE USE OF DIGITAL AND ELECTRONIC
SIGNATURE TECHNOLOGY, AND RATIFYING USE OF ELECTRONIC
SIGNATURES DURING DECLARED EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, RCW L9.360.020 authorizes municipalities in Washington to utilize electronic
signatures in the conduct of governmental affairs and other transactions where their use has
been authorized by the legislative body; and
WHEREAS, during the 2020 legislative session the Washington state legislature adopted
the Uniform Electronics Transactions Act, ESSB 6028, effective June 1L, 2020, which repeals and
replaces Chapter L9.360 RCW but continues to allow municipalities to determine whether, and
the extent to which, the agency will send and accept electronic signatures in the conduct of its
business; and
WHEREAS, the use of electronic signature technologies can benefit the City of Port
Orchard by decreasing the City's reliance on paper transactions and physical documents,
lessening administrative demands, improving efficiency, leveraging the City's investments in
digital technology, and saving time and reducing costs associated with conducting City business;
and
WHEREAS, the City has the capability, in conjunction with its document management
service provider Laserfiche, to utilize various electronic signature technologies including
industry leader DocuSign; and
WHEREAS, the value of electronic signatures is heightened and apparent during a
declared state of emergency such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, when City business must
be conducted via remote technologies due to the Governor's Stay Home, Stay Safe
Proclamation; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to authorize the use and receipt of electronic
signatures, and to adopt policies for the implementation of this authorization to provide
reasonable assurances for the integrity, authenticity, and nonrepudiation of electronic
documents when electronic signatures are used; now, therefore,
THE CIW COUNCIL OF THE CIW OF PORT ORCHARD, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOTVES
AS FOLLOWS:
THAT: The City Council finds it to be in the public interest to allow the use of electronic
signatures for City business to the fullest extent allowed by law. An electronic signature
may be used with the same force and effect as a signature affixed by hand, subject to
the limitations in this section and under state and federal law. The City Council
authorizes the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, City Department Directors or their designees,
Resolution No. 0L1-20
Page 2 of 4
and Councilmembers to affix electronic signatures to electronic records, or accept such
electronic signatures, provided that:
A. The electronic signature is affixed or accepted in accordance with the policy
attached hereto as Exhibit A, and incorporated herein by reference.
B. The individual is authorized to sign the document.
C. The electronic signature contains, at a minimum:
a. The signatory's full first and last name, and for City employees, elected
officials, or representatives of an entity, the signatory's title;
b. A representation of the individual's signature or acknowledgment of digital
signature in lieu of physical signature (e.g., using an "l accept" or "l agree"
check box with an affirmation statement); and
c. The date and time of the signature, unless the electronic signature
technology is self-auditing.
FURTHER THAT: An electronic signature may not be used on any record other than that
shall not be executed by electronic signature pursuant to a federal, state or local law.
FURTHER THAT: The City Council directs the Mayor to adopt any necessary
administrative processes to implement the use of electronic signatures by the City
consistent with this resolution and attached policy, and in compliance with the
provisions of state law.
FURTHER THAT: The City Council hereby ratifies the City's use and receipt of electronic
signatures that comply with the policy adopted herein for the time period between the
Mayor's Proclamation of Emergency, dated March L6, 2020, and the date of this
resolution.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Port Orchard, SIGNED by the Mayor and attested
by the Clerk in authentication of such passage this l-4th day of April 2020.
Robert Putaa Mayor
ATTEST
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li::,.:.
Brandy nearson, MMC, City Clerk h
Resolution No. 011-20
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Exhibit A -
City of Port Orchard
Policy for Use and Receipt of Electronic Signatures
Purpose
This policy is designed to:. Provide reasonable assurance for the integrity, authenticity, and non-repudiation of
electronic documents and records when electronic signatures and submissions are used
and accepted; ando Promote the use of electronic signatures and submissions across the agency.
Definitions
Record. A record is defined as any paper, machine-readable material, completed form,
or other document, regardless of physical format, made or received by the City of Port Orchard
(City) in connection with the transaction of public business.
Electronic Signature. An electronic sound, symbol or process, attached to or logically
associated with an electronic record, and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to
sign the record. An electronic signature includes:
Digitized Signature. A digitized signature is a graphical image of a handwritten
signature.
Digital Signatures. A "digital signature," which is a type of electronic signature, is
created when the signer uses their private signing key to create a unique mark
(called a "signed hash")on an electronic document.
Personal ldentification Number (PlN) or password. When using a PIN or
password for an e-signature, a person accessing an application is required to
enter identifying information, which may include an identification number.
Policv
The City encourages electronic transactions and recognizes electronic records and
signatures in all correspondence and transactions conducted by the City to the extent
allowed by law.
The specific method of electronic signature shall be approved in advance by the Mayor
or designee, and shall afford a reasonable assurance level as to the integrity of the
electronic signature, as determined by the Mayor or designee.
At a minimum, Department Directors or their designee shall use the following criteria
when determining the applicability and appropriate method of electronic signatures:
A.
B
c
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Does the method of signing or the nature of the record adequately identify the
signer?
Does the method of signing adequately address the risks associated with the
particular type of transaction while minimizing the barriers to conducting
electronic transactions?
Does the electronic signature method need to preserve the integrity of the
electronic record being signed?
Approvals must be documented and address each of the approval criteria required by
this policy.
The use and acceptance of an electronic signature affirmed by an electronic record
notary public is permitted as long as the notarization complies with the Revised
Uniform Law on NotarialActs, Chapter 42.45 RCW.
The use and acceptance of an electronic signature for electronic records utilized by
the Port Orchard Police Department shall comply with the applicable requirements for
CJIS records management, Washington State Court General Rule 30 and similar rules
of application for Washington's courts, and the Department's case management
software.
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D.
E
F