Section 8-1A-19 Interoperability.

(a) A governmental agency of this state which adopts standards pursuant to Section 8-1A-18 may encourage and promote consistency and interoperability with similar requirements adopted by other governmental agencies of this and other states and the federal government and nongovernmental persons interacting with governmental agencies of this state. If appropriate, those standards may specify differing levels of standards from which governmental agencies of this state may choose in implementing the most appropriate standard for a particular application. (b) The Alabama Office of Information Technology, by rule, may provide a procedure for any agency under the purview of the office to create and retain electronic records, convert written records to electronic records, and accept electronic signatures. The rule shall satisfy the requirements of Sections 8-1A-17 and 8-1A-18, shall be permissive, and may not repeal or alter any existing or future agency rules relating to electronic signatures or electronic records.