LICENSEE USE OF ELECTRONIC SEAL                                                      H.B. 4585 (H-2):

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

House Bill 4585 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Rob VerHeulen

House Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee:  Regulatory Reform

CONTENT

The bill would amend Article 20 (Architects, Professional Engineers, and Land Surveyors) of the Occupational Code to allow a licensed architect's, engineer's, or surveyor's seal and signature to be affixed to documents electronically.

Article 20 requires a licensee to obtain a seal authorized by the appropriate board and bearing the licensee's name and the legend indicating "licensed architect", "licensed professional engineer", or "licensed professional surveyor".  A plan, specification, plat, or report issued by a licensee must be sealed when filed with a public authority.

Under the bill, a licensee would have to obtain or adopt a seal, in a form authorized by the appropriate board, bearing the licensee's name and professional license.  A licensee would have to apply his or her seal and signature to a plan, specification, plat, or report he or she issued and filed with a public authority.

Article 20 requires certain documents, if prepared by a licensee and required to be submitted to a governmental agency for approval or record, to carry the embossed or printed seal of the person in responsible charge.  The bill would refer to the embossed, printed, or electronic seal of the person.

Under the bill, "seal" would include an electronic seal, and "signature" would include an electronic signature.  "Electronic seal" would mean a seal created by electronic or optical means and affixed electronically to a document or electronic document.  "Electronic signature" would mean a signature created by electronic or optical means and affixed electronically to a document or electronic document with intent to sign the document.

The bill would take effect 90 days after it was enacted.

MCL 339.2007 & 339.2008                                         Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  10-21-13                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.