Sec. 493.021. ELECTRONIC CREATION AND TRANSMISSION OF DOCUMENTS

(a) If a statute requires the department to create a document, the department through electronic means may create and maintain the information that would otherwise be contained in a paper document. If a statute requires the department to provide a receipt, signature, or seal as evidence of creating a document, the department may develop and use an electronic identifier, and when used by the department, the identifier has the same force and effect as the use of a receipt, signature, or seal.

(b) If a statute requires a person to submit a document to the department, the department may accept the document in paper form or may accept an electronic transmission of the information otherwise contained in the paper document.

(c) If a statute requires the department to provide a receipt, signature, or seal as evidence of delivery of a document, and if the department has received an electronic transmission in lieu of accepting the document in paper form, the department may transmit electronically evidence of delivery. The department may use the electronic identifier developed under Subsection (a), and when used by the department, the identifier has the same force and effect as the use of a receipt, signature, or seal.

(d) This section does not authorize the department to require that a person submitting information to the department submit the information electronically.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 202, Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 1999.