1624.5.

 (a) Except in the cases described in subdivision (b), a contract for the sale of personal property is not enforceable by way of action or defense beyond five thousand dollars ($5,000) in amount or value of remedy unless there is some record, as defined in subdivision (m) (n) of Section 1633.2, but solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, that indicates that a contract for sale has been made between the parties at a defined or stated price, reasonably identifies the subject matter, and is signed, including by way of electronic signature, as defined in subdivision (h) (i) of Section 1633.2, but solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, by the party against whom enforcement is sought or by his or her authorized agent.

(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to contracts governed by the Commercial Code, including contracts for the sale of goods (Section 2201 of the Commercial Code), contracts for the sale of securities (Section 8113 of the Commercial Code), and security agreements (Sections 9201 and 9203 of the Commercial Code).

(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a qualified financial contract as that term is defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 1624 if either of the following exists:

(1) There is, as provided in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1624, sufficient evidence to indicate that a contract has been made.

(2) The parties thereto, by means of a prior or subsequent written contract, have agreed to be bound by the terms of the qualified financial contract from the time they reach agreement (by telephone, by exchange of electronic messages, or otherwise) on those terms.

1633.2.

 In this title the following terms have the following definitions:

(a) “Agreement” means the bargain of the parties in fact, as found in their language or inferred from other circumstances and from rules, regulations, and procedures given the effect of agreements under laws otherwise applicable to a particular transaction.

(b) “Automated transaction” means a transaction conducted or performed, in whole or in part, by electronic means or electronic records, in which the acts or records of one or both parties are not reviewed by an individual in the ordinary course in forming a contract, performing under an existing contract, or fulfilling an obligation required by the transaction.

(d) “Computer program” means a set of statements or instructions to be used directly or indirectly in an information processing system in order to bring about a certain result.

(e) “Contract” means the total legal obligation resulting from the parties’ agreement as affected by this title and other applicable law. “Contract” includes a smart contract.

(f) “Electronic” means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.

(g) “Electronic agent” means a computer program or an electronic or other automated means used independently to initiate an action or respond to electronic records or performances in whole or in part, without review by an individual.

(h) “Electronic record” means a record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means. A record that is secured through blockchain technology is an electronic record.

(i) “Electronic signature” means 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 electronic record. For purposes of this title, a “digital signature” as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 16.5 of the Government Code is a type of electronic signature. A signature that is secured through blockchain technology is an electronic signature.

(j) “Governmental agency” means an executive, legislative, or judicial agency, department, board, commission, authority, institution, or instrumentality of the federal government or of a state or of a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of a state.

(k) “Information” means data, text, images, sounds, codes, computer programs, software, databases, or the like.

(l) “Information processing system” means an electronic system for creating, generating, sending, receiving, storing, displaying, or processing information.

(m) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, governmental agency, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity.

(n) “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(o) “Security procedure” means a procedure employed for the purpose of verifying that an electronic signature, record, or performance is that of a specific person or for detecting changes or errors in the information in an electronic record. The term includes a procedure that requires the use of algorithms or other codes, identifying words or numbers, encryption, or callback or other acknowledgment procedures.

(q) “Transaction” means an action or set of actions occurring between two or more persons relating to the conduct of business, commercial, or governmental affairs.

1633.75.

 (a) Notwithstanding any other provision, a person who, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, uses blockchain technology to secure information that the person owns, or has the right to use, retains the same rights of ownership or use in this state with respect to that information as before the person secured the information using blockchain technology.

(b) This section does not apply to the use of blockchain technology to secure information in connection with a transaction to the extent that the terms of the transaction expressly provide for the transfer of rights of ownership or use with respect to that information.

25612.5.

 (a) To encourage uniform interpretation and administration of this law and the Franchise Investment Law (Division 5 (commencing with Section 31000)) and effective securities and franchise regulation and enforcement, the commissioner may cooperate with the securities agencies or administrators of one or more states, Canadian provinces or territories, or other countries, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, any self-regulatory organization, any national or international organization or securities officials or agencies, and any governmental law enforcement or regulatory agency.

(b) The cooperation authorized by subdivision (a) includes, but is not limited to, the following actions:

(1) Prescribing rules and forms with a view to achieving maximum uniformity in the form and content of registration statements, applications, and reports wherever practicable.

(2) Participating in a nationwide central depository for qualification or registration of securities under this law and for documents or records required or allowed to be maintained under this law.

(3) Participating in the Central Registration Depository, or any successor or alternative nationwide or regional depository, for the registering, certifying, or licensing of broker-dealers or agents, or both.

(4) Participating in the Investment Adviser Registration Depository, or any successor or alternative nationwide or regional depository, for the registering, certifying, or licensing of investment advisers or investment adviser representatives, or both.

(5) Cooperating in any regulatory activity necessary in the administration of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56; USA Patriot Act), consistent with state law.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any application for qualification, amendment to the application or related securities qualification or registration document or notice under Sections 25100.1, 25101.1, 25102, 25102.1, 25110, 25120, 25130, and 25230.1 or record otherwise required to be signed that is filed in this state as an electronic record pursuant to a nationwide central depository for qualification or registration of securities, or any electronic record filed through the Central Registration Depository or the Investment Adviser Registration Depository, shall be deemed to be a valid original document upon reproduction to paper form by the Department of Business Oversight.

(d) For purposes of this section, “electronic record” has the same meaning as in subdivision (g) (h) of Section 1633.2 of the Civil Code.

16.5.

 (a) In any written communication with a public entity, as defined in Section 811.2, in which a signature is required or used, any party to the communication may affix a signature by use of a digital signature that complies with the requirements of this section. If a public entity elects to use a digital signature, that digital signature shall have the same force and effect as the use of a manual signature if and only if it embodies all of the following attributes:

(1) It is unique to the person using it.

(2) It is capable of verification.

(3) It is under the sole control of the person using it.

(4) It is linked to data in such a manner that if the data are changed, the digital signature is invalidated.

(5) It conforms to regulations adopted by the Secretary of State. Initial regulations shall be adopted no later than January 1, 1997. In developing these regulations, the secretary shall seek the advice of public and private entities, including, but not limited to, the Department of Information Technology, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of General Services. Before the secretary adopts the regulations, he or she shall hold at least one public hearing to receive comments.

(b) The use or acceptance of a digital signature shall be at the option of the parties. Nothing in this section shall require a public entity to use or permit the use of a digital signature.

(c) Digital signatures employed pursuant to Section 71066 of the Public Resources Code are exempted from this section.

(d) “Digital signature” means an electronic identifier, created by computer, intended by the party using it to have the same force and effect as the use of a manual signature. For purposes of this section, a digital signature is a type of “electronic signature” as defined in subdivision (h) (i) of Section 1633.2 of the Civil Code.

(e) Nothing in this section shall limit the right of a public entity or government agency to use and accept an “electronic signature” as defined in subdivision (h) (i) of Section 1633.2 of the Civil Code.

(f) Regulations adopted by the Secretary of State to implement this section apply only to a public entity’s use of a “digital signature” and not to use of any other type of “electronic signature” authorized in the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 1633.1) of Part 2 of Division 3 of the Civil Code).

38.6.

 (a) (1) Any written record required to be given or mailed to any person by a licensee, including an offer of renewal required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 663 and Section 678, the notice of policy change or cancellation requested by the insured as required by Section 667.5, the offer of coverage or renewal or any disclosure required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 10086, and the offer of renewal for a workers’ compensation policy may, if not excluded by subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 1633.3 of the Civil Code, be provided by electronic transmission pursuant to Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 1633.1) of Part 2 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, if each party has agreed to conduct the transaction by electronic means pursuant to Section 1633.5 of the Civil Code, and if the licensee complies with the provisions of this section. A valid electronic signature shall be sufficient for any provision of law requiring a written signature.

(2) For purposes of this section, the definitions set forth in Section 1633.2 of the Civil Code shall apply. The term “licensee” means an insurer, agent, broker, or any other person who is required to be licensed by the department.

(3) Notwithstanding subdivision (l) (m) of Section 1633.2 of the Civil Code, for purposes of this section, “person” includes, but is not limited to, the policy owner, policyholder, applicant, insured, or assignee or designee of an insured.

(b) In order to transmit a record listed in subdivision (a) electronically, a licensee shall comply with all of the following:

(1) A licensee, or licensee’s representative, acquires the consent of the person to opt in to receive the record by electronic transmission, and the person has not withdrawn that consent, prior to providing the record by electronic transmission. A person’s consent may be acquired verbally, in writing, or electronically. If consent is acquired verbally, the licensee shall confirm consent in writing or electronically. The licensee shall retain a record of the person’s consent to receive the record by electronic transmission with the policy information so that it is retrievable upon request by the department while the policy is in force and for five years thereafter.

(2) A licensee discloses, in writing or electronically, to the person all of the following:

(A) The opt in to receive the record by electronic transmission is voluntary.

(B) That the person may opt out of receiving the record by electronic transmission at any time, and the process or system for the person to opt out.

(C) A description of the record that the person will receive by electronic transmission.

(D) The process or system to report a change or correction in the person’s email address.

(E) The licensee’s contact information, which includes, but is not limited to, a toll-free number or the licensee’s Internet Web site address.

(3) The opt-in consent disclosure required by paragraph (2) may be set forth in the application or in a separate document that is part of the policy approved by the commissioner and shall be bolded or otherwise set forth in a conspicuous manner. The person’s signature shall be set forth immediately below the opt-in consent disclosure. If the licensee seeks consent at any time prior to the completion of the application, consent and signature shall be obtained before the application is completed. If the person has not opted in at the time the application is completed, the licensee may receive the opt-in consent at any time thereafter, pursuant to the same opt-in requirements that apply at the time of the application. The licensee shall retain a copy of the signed opt-in consent disclosure with the policy information so that each is retrievable upon request by the department while the policy is in force and for five years thereafter.

(4) The email address of the person who has consented to electronic transmission shall be set forth on the consent disclosure. In addition, if the person who consented receives an annual statement, the email address of the person who has consented shall be set forth on that record.

(5) The licensee shall annually provide one free printed copy of any record described in this subdivision upon request by the person.

(6) If a provision of this code requires a licensee to transmit a record by first-class mail, regular mail, does not specify a method of delivery, or is a record that is required to be provided pursuant to Article 6.6 (commencing with Section 791), and if the licensee is not otherwise prohibited from transmitting the record electronically under subdivision (b) of Section 1633.8 of the Civil Code, then the record may be transmitted by electronic transmission if the licensee complies with all of the requirements of Sections 1633.15 and 1633.16 of the Civil Code.

(7) If the record is not delivered directly to the electronic address designated by the person but placed at an electronic address accessible to the person, a licensee shall notify the person in plain, clear, and conspicuous language at the electronic address designated by the person that describes the record, informs that person that it is available at another location, and provides instructions to the person as to how to obtain the record.

(8) (A) Upon a licensee receiving information indicating that the record sent by electronic transmission was not received by the person, the licensee shall, within five business days, comply with either clause (i) or (ii):

(i) Contact the person to confirm or update the person’s email address and resend the record by electronic transmission. If the licensee elects to resend the record by electronic transmission, the licensee shall demonstrate the transmission was received by the person, pursuant to paragraph (6). If the licensee is unable to confirm or update the person’s email address, the licensee shall resend the record by regular mail to the licensee at the address shown on the policy, or, if the underlying statute requires delivery in a specified manner, send the record in that specified manner.

(ii) Resend the record initially provided by electronic transmission by regular mail to the insured at the address shown on the policy, or, if the underlying statute requires delivery in a specified manner, send the record in that specified manner.

(B) If the licensee sends the first electronic record within the time period required by law and the licensee complies with both paragraph (5) and subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the record sent pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall be treated as if mailed in compliance with the applicable statutory regular mail delivery deadlines.

(9) The licensee shall not charge any person who declines to opt in to receive a record through electronic transmission from receiving a record electronically. The licensee shall not provide a discount or an incentive to any person to opt in to receive electronic records.

(10) The licensee shall verify a person’s email address via paper writing sent by regular mail when more than 12 months have elapsed since the licensee’s last electronic communication.

(c) An insurance agent or broker acting under the direction of a party that enters into a contract by means of an electronic record or electronic signature shall not be held liable for any deficiency in the electronic procedures agreed to by the parties under that contract if all of the following are met:

(1) The insurance agent or broker has not engaged in negligent, reckless, or intentional tortious conduct.

(2) The insurance agent or broker was not involved in the development or establishment of the electronic procedures.

(3) The insurance agent or broker did not deviate from the electronic procedures.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 1633.3 of the Civil Code, for any policy of life insurance, as defined in Section 101, any statutory requirement for a separate acknowledgment, signature, or initial, which is not expressly prohibited by subdivision (c) of Section 1633.3 of the Civil Code, may be transacted using an electronic signature, or by electronic transaction, subject to all applicable provisions of this section.

(e) The department may suspend a licensee from providing records by electronic transmission if there is a pattern or practices that demonstrate the licensee has failed to comply with the requirements of this section. A licensee may appeal the suspension and resume its electronic transmission of records upon communication from the department that the changes the licensee made to its process or system to comply with the requirements of this section are satisfactory.

(f) This section does not apply to a written record that is required to be given or mailed to any person by a licensee and that relates to the business of life insurance, as defined in Section 101.

(g) A notice of lapse, nonrenewal, cancellation, or termination required by a section of this code that is excluded by subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 1633.3 of the Civil Code may be transmitted electronically if it is also transmitted by mail, as prescribed by statute.

(h) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2021.

38.6.

 (a) (1) Any written record required to be given or mailed to any person by a licensee, including an offer of renewal required by Sections 663 and 678, the notice of policy change or cancellation requested by the insured as required by Section 667.5, the notice of conditional renewal required by Section 678.1, the offer of coverage or renewal or any disclosure required by Section 10086, the offer of renewal for a workers’ compensation policy, Section 662, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 663, Section 664, 667.5, 673, 677, paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 678, subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) of Section 678.1, or any written record required to be given or mailed to any person by a licensee relating to the business of life insurance, as defined in Section 101 of this code may, if not excluded by subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 1633.3 of the Civil Code, be provided by electronic transmission pursuant to Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 1633.1) of Part 2 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, if each party has agreed to conduct the transaction by electronic means pursuant to Section 1633.5 of the Civil Code, and if the licensee complies with this section. A valid electronic signature is sufficient for any provision of law requiring a written signature.

(2) For purposes of this section, the definitions set forth in Section 1633.2 of the Civil Code apply. The term “licensee” means an insurer, agent, broker, or any other person who is required to be licensed by the department.

(3) Notwithstanding subdivision (l) (m) of Section 1633.2 of the Civil Code, for purposes of this section, “person” includes, but is not limited to, the policy owner, policyholder, applicant, insured, or assignee or designee of an insured.

(b) In order to transmit a record listed in subdivision (a) electronically, a licensee shall comply with all of the following:

(1) A licensee, or licensee’s representative, acquires the consent of the person to opt in to receive the record by electronic transmission, and the person has not withdrawn that consent, prior to providing the record by electronic transmission. A person’s consent may be acquired verbally, in writing, or electronically. If consent is acquired verbally, the licensee shall confirm consent in writing or electronically. The licensee shall retain a record of the person’s consent to receive the record by electronic transmission with the policy information so that it is retrievable upon request by the department while the policy is in force and for five years thereafter.

(2) A licensee discloses, in writing or electronically, to the person all of the following:

(A) The opt in to receive the record by electronic transmission is voluntary.

(B) That the person may opt out of receiving the record by electronic transmission at any time, and the process or system for the person to opt out.

(C) A description of the record that the person will receive by electronic transmission.

(D) The process or system to report a change or correction in the person’s email address.

(E) The licensee’s contact information, which includes, but is not limited to, a toll-free number or the licensee’s Internet Web site address.

(3) The opt-in consent disclosure required by paragraph (2) may be set forth in the application or in a separate document that is part of the policy approved by the commissioner and shall be bolded or otherwise set forth in a conspicuous manner. The person’s signature shall be set forth immediately below the opt-in consent disclosure. If the licensee seeks consent at any time prior to the completion of the application, consent and signature shall be obtained before the application is completed. If the person has not opted in at the time the application is completed, the licensee may receive the opt-in consent at any time thereafter, pursuant to the same opt-in requirements that apply at the time of the application. The licensee shall retain a copy of the signed opt-in consent disclosure with the policy information so that each is retrievable upon request by the department while the policy is in force and for five years thereafter.

(4) The email address of the person who has consented to electronic transmission shall be set forth on the consent disclosure. In addition, if the person who consented receives an annual statement, the email address of the person who has consented shall be set forth on that record.

(5) The licensee shall annually provide one free printed copy of any record described in this subdivision upon request by the person.

(6) If a provision of this code requires a licensee to transmit a record by first-class mail, regular mail, does not specify a method of delivery, or is a record that is required to be provided pursuant to Article 6.6 (commencing with Section 791), and if the licensee is not otherwise prohibited from transmitting the record electronically under subdivision (b) of Section 1633.8 of the Civil Code, then the record may be transmitted by electronic transmission if the licensee complies with all of the requirements of Sections 1633.15 and 1633.16 of the Civil Code.

(7) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 1633.8 of the Civil Code, if a provision of this code requires a licensee to transmit a record by return receipt, registered mail, certified mail, signed written receipt of delivery, or other method of delivery evidencing actual receipt by the person, and if the licensee is not otherwise prohibited from transmitting the record electronically under Section 1633.3 of the Civil Code and the provisions of this section, then the licensee shall maintain a process or system that demonstrates proof of delivery and actual receipt of the record by the person consistent with this paragraph. The licensee shall document and retain information demonstrating delivery and actual receipt so that it is retrievable, upon request, by the department at least five years after the policy is no longer in force. The record provided by electronic transmission shall be treated as if actually received if the licensee delivers the record to the person in compliance with applicable statutory delivery deadlines. A licensee may demonstrate actual delivery and receipt by any of the following:

(A) The person acknowledges receipt of the electronic transmission of the record by executing an electronic signature.

(B) The record is posted on the licensee’s secure Internet Web site, and there is evidence demonstrating that the person logged onto the licensee’s secure Internet Web site and downloaded, printed, or otherwise acknowledged receipt of the record.

(C) The record is transmitted to the named insured through an application on a personal electronic device that is secured by password, biometric identifier, or other technology, and there is evidence demonstrating that the person logged into the application and viewed or otherwise acknowledged receipt of the record.

(D) If a licensee is unable to demonstrate actual delivery and receipt pursuant to this paragraph, the licensee shall resend the record by regular mail to the person in the manner originally specified by the underlying provision of this code.

(8) Notwithstanding any other law, a notice of lapse, nonrenewal, cancellation, or termination of any product subject to this section may be transmitted electronically if the licensee demonstrates proof of delivery as set forth in paragraph (7) and complies with the other provisions in this section.

(9) If the record is not delivered directly to the electronic address designated by the person but placed at an electronic address accessible to the person, a licensee shall notify the person in plain, clear, and conspicuous language at the electronic address designated by the person that describes the record, informs that person that it is available at another location, and provides instructions to the person as to how to obtain the record.

(10) (A) Upon a licensee receiving information indicating that the record sent by electronic transmission was not received by the person, the licensee shall, within five business days, comply with either clause (i) or (ii):

(i) Contact the person to confirm or update the person’s email address and resend the record by electronic transmission. If the licensee elects to resend the record by electronic transmission, the licensee shall demonstrate the transmission was received by the person, pursuant to paragraph (6), (7), or (8). If the licensee is unable to confirm or update the person’s email address, the licensee shall resend the record by regular mail to the licensee at the address shown on the policy, or, if the underlying statute requires delivery in a specified manner, send the record in that specified manner.

(ii) Resend the record initially provided by electronic transmission by regular mail to the insured at the address shown on the policy, or, if the underlying statute requires delivery in a specified manner, send the record in that specified manner.

(B) If the licensee sends the first electronic record within the time period required by law and the licensee complies with both paragraph (5) and subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the record sent pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall be treated as if mailed in compliance with the applicable statutory regular mail delivery deadlines.

(11) The licensee shall not charge any person who declines to opt in to receive a record through electronic transmission from receiving a record electronically. The licensee shall not provide a discount or an incentive to any person to opt in to receive electronic records.

(12) The licensee shall verify a person’s email address via paper writing sent by regular mail when more than 12 months have elapsed since the licensee’s last electronic communication.

(c) An insurance agent or broker acting under the direction of a party that enters into a contract by means of an electronic record or electronic signature shall not be held liable for any deficiency in the electronic procedures agreed to by the parties under that contract if all of the following are met:

(1) The insurance agent or broker has not engaged in negligent, reckless, or intentional tortious conduct.

(2) The insurance agent or broker was not involved in the development or establishment of the electronic procedures.

(3) The insurance agent or broker did not deviate from the electronic procedures.

(d) (1) On or before January 1, 2019, the commissioner shall submit a report to the Governor and to the committees of the Senate and Assembly having jurisdiction over insurance and the judiciary, regarding the impact and implementation of the authorization of the electronic transmission of certain insurance renewal offers, notices, or disclosures, relating to the business of life insurance, as authorized by this section. The report shall include input from insurers, consumers, and consumer organizations, and shall include an assessment of the department’s experience pertaining to the authorization of the electronic transmission of insurance renewals, relating to the business of life insurance, as authorized by this section.

(2) On or before January 1, 2019, the commissioner shall submit a report to the Governor and to the committees of the Senate and Assembly having jurisdiction over insurance and the judiciary, regarding the impact and implementation of the authorization of the electronic transmission of certain insurance renewal offers, notices, or disclosures including an offer of renewal required by Sections 663 and 678, the notice of conditional renewal required by Section 678.1, the offer of coverage or renewal or any disclosure required by Section 10086, and the offer of renewal for a workers’ compensation policy, as authorized by this section. The report shall include input from insurers, consumers, and consumer organizations, and shall include an assessment of the department’s experience pertaining to the authorization of the electronic transmission of insurance renewals, including an offer of renewal required by Sections 663 and 678, the notice of conditional renewal required by Section 678.1, the offer of coverage or renewal or any disclosure required by Section 10086, and the offer of renewal for a workers’ compensation policy, as authorized by this section.

(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 1633.3 of the Civil Code, for any policy of life insurance, as defined in Section 101, any statutory requirement for a separate acknowledgment, signature, or initial, which is not expressly prohibited by subdivision (c) of Section 1633.3 of the Civil Code, may be transacted using an electronic signature, or by electronic transaction, subject to all applicable provisions of this section.

(f) The department may suspend a licensee from providing records by electronic transmission if there is a pattern or practices that demonstrate the licensee has failed to comply with the requirements of this section. A licensee may appeal the suspension and resume its electronic transmission of records upon communication from the department that the changes the licensee made to its process or system to comply with the requirements of this section are satisfactory.

(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2021, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2021, deletes or extends that date.