Another new technology, digital signatures, is the basis for a proposal to connect the public directly into the law-making process. Digital signatures authenticate the identity of individuals, and last year Congress passed and President Clinton signed a law giving digital signatures the same legal standing as the pen-and-ink variety.
The California Smart Initiatives Initiative calls for the establishment of a state agency to issue each California resident a digital signature “that can be used to subscribe to any authorized public or private sector electronic transaction.” The initiative would enable California residents to use their digital signatures on candidacy and recall petitions, referendums, and initiatives where citizens vote directly on proposed legislation. California has a long tradition of initiatives in the legislative process, and this proposal would make it even easier for individual citizens to make an impact on that process.
And what do you think about it?
How far do you think technology should take the legislative process? Write us in the comments section here, or write your congressman. We promise to give you an answer; we can’t make any promises for your congressman however.
Links:
Congress Online Project, http://www.congressonlineproject.org/
OMB Watch, http://www.ombwatch.org/
Michigan Compiled Law project: http://www.mileg.org/law
LegalXML: http://www.legalxml.org/
Can XML Help Write the Law? XML.Com: http://www.xml.com/pub/a/2001/05/09/lega...
California Smart Initiatives Initiative, http://www.smartinitiatives.org/
