Bill > HB2258

This bill enacts the Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act (UELMA), which establishes a comprehensive framework for managing and authenticating electronic legal documents in Oklahoma. The bill defines "legal material" broadly to include the state constitution, session laws, statutes, administrative codes, agency rules, precedential agency decisions, and Attorney General opinions. It designates specific "official publishers" for each type of legal material, typically state agencies responsible for creating or maintaining the documents. The bill requires that when legal materials are published electronically, the official publisher must: designate the electronic record as official, authenticate the record to ensure its integrity, provide a method for users to verify the document has not been altered, and ensure the long-term preservation and security of the electronic documents. Furthermore, the bill creates a presumption that authenticated electronic legal materials are accurate, with the burden of proving otherwise falling on any party challenging the document's authenticity. The act also mandates that official publishers consider national standards, user needs, and compatibility with other jurisdictions when implementing these requirements. The bill will become effective on January 1, 2026, and is designed to promote uniformity in managing electronic legal materials across states that adopt similar legislation.

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http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2258&Session=2500