The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 9: Commerce and Trade

Chapter 020: Uniform Electronic Transactions Act

• § 270. Short title

  This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 271. Definitions

  For purposes of this chapter:

  (1) “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.

  (2) “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.

  (3) “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.

  (4) “Consumer” means an individual who obtains, through a transaction, products or services that are used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, and also means the legal representative of such an individual.

  (5) “Contract” means the total legal obligation resulting from the parties’ agreement as affected by this chapter and other applicable law.

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

  (7) “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 or action by an individual.

  (8) “Electronic record” means a record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.

  (9) “Electronic signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.

  (10) “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.

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

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

  (13) “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.

  (14) “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.

  (15) “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.

  (16) “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes an Indian tribe or band, or Alaskan native village, which is recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state.

  (17) “Transaction” means an action or set of actions occurring between two or more persons relating to the conduct of business, commercial, or governmental affairs. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 272. Scope

  (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, this chapter applies to electronic records and electronic signatures relating to a transaction.

  (b) This chapter does not apply to:

  (1) a transaction to the extent it is governed by a law governing the creation and execution of wills, codicils, or testamentary trusts;

  (2) a transaction to the extent it is governed by a state statute, regulation, or other rule of law governing adoption, divorce, or other matters of family law;

  (3) a transaction to the extent it is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code, other than 9A V.S.A. §§ 1-107 and 1-206, Article 2, and Article 2A;

  (4) court orders or notices, or official court documents, including briefs, pleadings, and other writings, required to be executed in connection with court proceedings; or

  (5) any notice of:

  (A) the cancellation or termination of utility services (including water, heat, and power);

  (B) default, acceleration, repossession, foreclosure, or eviction, or the right to cure, under a credit agreement secured by, or a rental agreement for, a primary residence of an individual;

  (C) the cancellation or termination of health insurance or benefits or life insurance benefits (excluding annuities);

  (D) recall of a product, or material failure of a product, that risks endangering health or safety; or

  (E) a right to cancel a home solicitation sale required pursuant to section 2454 of this title;

  (6) any document required to accompany any transportation or handling of hazardous materials, pesticides, or other toxic or dangerous materials.

  (c) This chapter applies to an electronic record or electronic signature otherwise excluded from the application of this chapter under subsection (b) of this section to the extent that it is governed by a law other than those specified in subsection (b).

  (d) A transaction subject to this chapter is also subject to other applicable substantive law. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 9.)

• § 273. Prospective application

  This chapter applies to any electronic record or electronic signature created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored on or after January 1, 2004. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 274. Use of electronic records and electronic signatures; variation by agreement

  (a) This chapter does not require a record or signature to be created, generated, sent, communicated, received, stored, or otherwise processed or used by electronic means or in electronic form.

  (b) This chapter applies only to transactions between parties, each of which has agreed to conduct transactions by electronic means. Whether the parties agree to conduct a transaction by electronic means is determined from the context and surrounding circumstances, including the parties’ conduct.

  (c) A party that agrees to conduct a transaction by electronic means may refuse to conduct other transactions by electronic means. This subsection may not be waived by agreement.

  (d) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the effect of any of its provisions may be varied by agreement. The presence in certain provisions of this chapter of the words “unless otherwise agreed,” or words of similar import, does not imply that the effect of other provisions may not be varied by agreement.

  (e) Whether an electronic record or electronic signature has legal consequences is determined by this chapter and other applicable law. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 275. Construction and application

  This chapter must be construed and applied:

  (1) to facilitate electronic transactions consistent with other applicable law;

  (2) to be consistent with reasonable practices concerning electronic transactions and with the continued expansion of those practices; and

  (3) to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this chapter among states enacting it. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 276. Legal recognition of electronic records, electronic signatures, and electronic contracts

  (a) A record or signature may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.

  (b) A contract may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because an electronic record was used in its formation.

  (c) If a law requires a record to be in writing, an electronic record satisfies the law.

  (d) If a law requires a signature, an electronic signature satisfies the law. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 277. Provision of information in writing; presentation of records

  (a) If parties have agreed to conduct a transaction by electronic means and a law requires a person to provide, send, or deliver information in writing to another person, the requirement is satisfied if the information is provided, sent, or delivered, as the case may be, in an electronic record capable of retention by the recipient at the time of receipt. An electronic record is not capable of retention by the recipient if the sender or its information processing system inhibits the ability of the recipient to print or store the electronic record.

  (b) If a law other than this chapter requires a record to be posted or displayed in a certain manner, to be sent, communicated, or transmitted by a specified method, or to contain information that is formatted in a certain manner, the following rules apply:

  (1) The record must be posted or displayed in the manner specified in the other law.

  (2) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d)(2) of this section, the record must be sent, communicated, or transmitted by the method specified in the other law.

  (3) The record must contain the information formatted in the manner specified in the other law.

  (c) If a sender inhibits the ability of a recipient to store or print an electronic record, the electronic record is not enforceable against the recipient.

  (d) The requirements of this section may not be varied by agreement, but:

  (1) to the extent a law other than this chapter requires information to be provided, sent, or delivered in writing but permits that requirement to be varied by agreement, the requirement under subsection (a) of this section that the information be in the form of an electronic record capable of retention may also be varied by agreement; and

  (2) a requirement under a law other than this chapter to send, communicate, or transmit a record by first-class mail may be varied by agreement to the extent permitted by the other law. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 278. Attribution and effect of electronic record and electronic signature

  (a) An electronic record or electronic signature is attributable to a person if it was the act of the person. The act of the person may be shown in any manner, including a showing of the efficacy of any security procedure applied to determine the person to which the electronic record or electronic signature was attributable.

  (b) The effect of an electronic record or electronic signature attributed to a person under subsection (a) of this section is determined from the context and surrounding circumstances at the time of its creation, execution, or adoption, including the parties’ agreement, if any, and otherwise as provided by law. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 279. Effect of change or error

  If a change or error in an electronic record occurs in a transmission between parties to a transaction, the following rules apply:

  (1) If the parties have agreed to use a security procedure to detect changes or errors and one party has conformed to the procedure, but the other party has not, and the nonconforming party would have detected the change or error had that party also conformed, the conforming party may avoid the effect of the changed or erroneous electronic record.

  (2) In an automated transaction involving an individual, the individual may avoid the effect of an electronic record that resulted from an error made by the individual or on the part of the individual in dealing with the electronic agent of another person if the electronic agent did not provide an opportunity for the prevention or correction of the error and, at the time the individual learns of the error, the individual:

  (A) promptly notifies the other person of the error and that the individual did not intend to be bound by the electronic record received by the other person;

  (B) takes reasonable steps, including steps that conform to the other person’s reasonable instructions, to return to the other person or, if instructed by the other person, to destroy the consideration received, if any, as a result of the erroneous electronic record; and

  (C) has not used or received any benefit or value from the consideration, if any, received from the other person.

  (3) If neither subdivision (1) nor (2) of this section applies, the change or error has the effect provided by other law, including the law of mistake, and the parties’ contract, if any.

  (4) Subdivisions (2) and (3) of this section may not be varied by agreement. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 280. Notarization and acknowledgment

  If a law requires a signature or record to be notarized, acknowledged, verified, or made under oath, the requirement is satisfied if the electronic signature of the person authorized to perform those acts, together with all other information required to be included by other applicable law, is attached to or logically associated with the signature or record. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 281. Retention of electronic records; originals

  (a) If a law requires that a record be retained, the requirement is satisfied by retaining an electronic record of the information in the record that:

  (1) accurately reflects the information set forth in the record at the time and after it was first generated in its final form as an electronic record or otherwise; and

  (2) remains accessible to all persons who are entitled to access by statute, regulation, or rule of law, for the period required by such statute, regulation, or rule of law, in a form that is capable of being accurately reproduced for later reference, whether by transmission, printing, or otherwise.

  (b) A requirement to retain a record in accordance with subsection (a) of this section does not apply to any information, the sole purpose of which is to enable the record to be sent, communicated, or received.

  (c) A person may satisfy subsection (a) of this section by using the services of another person if the requirements of that subsection are satisfied.

  (d) If a law requires a record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, that law is satisfied by an electronic record retained in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.

  (e) If a law requires retention of a check, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an electronic record of the information on the front and back of the check in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.

  (f) A record retained as an electronic record in accordance with subsection (a) of this section satisfies a law requiring a person to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes, unless a law enacted after January 1, 2004 specifically prohibits the use of an electronic record for the specified purpose.

  (g) This section does not preclude a governmental agency of this State from specifying additional requirements for the retention of a record subject to the agency’s jurisdiction. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 282. Admissibility in evidence

  In a proceeding, evidence of a record or signature may not be excluded solely because it is in electronic form. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 283. Automated transaction

  In an automated transaction, the following rules apply:

  (1) A contract may be formed by the interaction of electronic agents of the parties, even if no individual was aware of or reviewed the electronic agents’ actions or the resulting terms and agreements.

  (2) A contract may be formed by the interaction of an electronic agent and an individual, acting on the individual’s own behalf or for another person, including by an interaction in which the individual performs actions that the individual is free to refuse to perform and which the individual knows or has reason to know will cause the electronic agent to complete the transaction or performance.

  (3) The terms of the contract are determined by the substantive law applicable to it. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 284. Time and place of sending and receipt

  (a) Unless otherwise agreed between the sender and the recipient, an electronic record is sent when it:

  (1) is addressed properly or otherwise directed properly to an information processing system that the recipient has designated or uses for the purpose of receiving electronic records or information of the type sent and from which the recipient is able to retrieve the electronic record;

  (2) is in a form capable of being processed by that system; and

  (3) enters an information processing system outside the control of the sender or of a person that sent the electronic record on behalf of the sender or enters a region of the information processing system designated or used by the recipient that is under the control of the recipient.

  (b) Unless otherwise agreed between the sender and the recipient, an electronic record is received when it:

  (1) enters an information processing system that the recipient has designated or uses for the purpose of receiving electronic records or information of the type sent and from which the recipient is able to retrieve the electronic record; and

  (2) is in a form capable of being processed by that system.

  (c) Subsection (b) of this section applies even if the place the information processing system is located is different from the place the electronic record is deemed to be received under subsection (d) of this section.

  (d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the electronic record or agreed between the sender and the recipient, an electronic record is deemed to be sent from the sender’s place of business and to be received at the recipient’s place of business. For purposes of this subsection, the following rules apply:

  (1) If the sender or recipient has more than one place of business, the place of business of that person is the place having the closest relationship to the underlying transaction.

  (2) If the sender or the recipient does not have a place of business, the place of business is the sender’s or recipient’s residence, as the case may be.

  (e) An electronic record is received under subsection (b) of this section even if no individual is aware of its receipt.

  (f) Receipt of an electronic acknowledgment from an information processing system described in subsection (b) of this section establishes that a record was received but, by itself, does not establish that the content sent corresponds to the content received.

  (g) If a person is aware that an electronic record purportedly sent under subsection (a) of this section, or purportedly received under subsection (b) of this section, was not actually sent or received, the legal effect of the sending or receipt is determined by other applicable law. Except to the extent permitted by the other law, the requirements of this subsection may not be varied by agreement. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 285. Transferable records

  (a) In this section, “transferable record” means an electronic record that:

  (1) would be a note under 9A V.S.A. § 3—104 or a document under 9A V.S.A. § 7—102 if the electronic record were in writing; and

  (2) the issuer of the electronic record expressly has agreed is a transferable record.

  (b) A person has control of a transferable record if a system employed for evidencing the transfer of interests in the transferable record reliably establishes that person as the person to which the transferable record was issued or transferred.

  (c) A system satisfies subsection (b) of this section, and a person is deemed to have control of a transferable record, if the transferable record is created, stored, and assigned in such a manner that:

  (1) a single authoritative copy of the transferable record exists that is unique, identifiable, and, except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (4), (5), and (6) of this subsection, unalterable;

  (2) the authoritative copy identifies the person asserting control as:

  (A) the person to which the transferable record was issued; or

  (B) if the authoritative copy indicates that the transferable record has been transferred, the person to which the transferable record was most recently transferred;

  (3) the authoritative copy is communicated to and maintained by the person asserting control or its designated custodian;

  (4) copies or revisions that add or change an identified assignee of the authoritative copy can be made only with the consent of the person asserting control;

  (5) each copy of the authoritative copy and any copy of a copy is readily identifiable as a copy that is not the authoritative copy; and

  (6) any revision of the authoritative copy is readily identifiable as authorized or unauthorized.

  (d) Except as otherwise agreed, a person having control of a transferable record is the holder, as defined in 9A V.S.A. § 1—201(b)(21), of the transferable record and has the same rights and defenses as a holder of an equivalent record or writing under Title 9A, including, if the applicable statutory requirements under 9A V.S.A. §§ 3—302(a), 7—501, or 9—308 are satisfied, the rights and defenses of a holder in due course, a holder to which a negotiable document of title has been duly negotiated, or a purchaser, respectively. Delivery, possession, and endorsement are not required to obtain or exercise any of the rights under this subsection.

  (e) Except as otherwise agreed, an obligor under a transferable record has the same rights and defenses as an equivalent obligor under equivalent records or writings under Title 9A.

  (f) If requested by a person against which enforcement is sought, the person seeking to enforce the transferable record shall provide reasonable proof that the person is in control of the transferable record. Proof may include access to the authoritative copy of the transferable record and related business records sufficient to review the terms of the transferable record and to establish the identity of the person having control of the transferable record. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 286. Preservation of rights and obligations

  This chapter does not:

  (1) limit, alter, or otherwise affect any requirement imposed by a statute, regulation, or rule of law relating to the rights and obligations of persons under such statute, regulation, or rule of law other than a requirement that contracts or other records be written, signed, or in nonelectronic form; or

  (2) require any person to agree to use or accept electronic records or electronic signatures. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 287. Consumer disclosures

  (a) Consent to Electronic Records. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, if a statute, regulation, or other rule of law requires that information relating to a transaction or transactions be provided or made available to a consumer in writing, the use of an electronic record to provide or make available (whichever is required) such information satisfies the requirement that such information be in writing if:

  (1) The consumer has affirmatively consented to such use and has not withdrawn such consent.

  (2) The consumer, prior to consenting, is provided with a clear and conspicuous statement:

  (A) informing the consumer of:

  (i) any right or option of the consumer to have the record provided or made available on paper or in nonelectronic form; and

  (ii) the right of the consumer to withdraw the consent to have the record provided or made available in an electronic form and of any conditions, consequences (which may include termination of the parties’ relationship), or fees in the event of such withdrawal;

  (B) informing the consumer of whether the consent applies only to the particular transaction that gave rise to the obligation to provide the record, or to identified categories of records that may be provided or made available during the course of the parties’ relationship;

  (C) describing the procedures the consumer must use to withdraw consent as provided in subdivision (a)(2)(A)(ii) of this section and to update information needed to contact the consumer electronically; and

  (D) informing the consumer how, after the consent, the consumer may, upon request, obtain a paper copy of an electronic record, and whether any fee will be charged for such copy.

  (3) The consumer:

  (A) prior to consenting, is provided with a statement of the hardware and software requirements for access to and retention of the electronic records; and

  (B) consents electronically, or confirms his or her consent electronically, in a manner that reasonably demonstrates that the consumer can access information in the electronic form that will be used to provide the information that is the subject of the consent.

  (4) After the consent of a consumer in accordance with subdivision (a)(1) of this section, if a change in the hardware or software requirements needed to access or retain electronic records creates a material risk that the consumer will not be able to access or retain a subsequent electronic record that was the subject of the consent, the person providing the electronic record shall:

  (A) provide the consumer with a statement of:

  (i) the revised hardware and software requirements for access to and retention of the electronic records; and

  (ii) the right to withdraw consent without the imposition of any fees for such withdrawal and without the imposition of any condition or consequence that was not disclosed under subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section.

  (B) again comply with subdivision (a)(3) of this section.

  (b) Other Rights.

  (1) Preservation of Consumer Protections. Nothing in this chapter affects the content or timing of any disclosure or other record required to be provided or made available to any consumer under any statute, regulation, or other rule of law.

  (2) Verification or Acknowledgment. If a law that was enacted prior to July 1, 2003 expressly requires a record to be provided or made available by a specified method that requires verification or acknowledgment of receipt, the record may be provided or made available electronically only if the method used provides verification or acknowledgment of receipt (whichever is required).

  (c) Effect of Failure to Obtain Electronic Consent or Confirmation of Consent. The legal effectiveness, validity, or enforceability of any contract executed by a consumer shall not be denied solely because of the failure to obtain electronic consent or confirmation of consent by that consumer in accordance with subdivision (a)(3)(B) of this section.

  (d) Prospective Effect. Withdrawal of consent by a consumer shall not affect the legal effectiveness, validity, or enforceability of electronic records provided or made available to that consumer in accordance with subsection (a) of this section prior to implementation of the consumer’s withdrawal of consent. A consumer’s withdrawal of consent shall be effective within a reasonable period of time after receipt of the withdrawal by the provider of the record. Failure to comply with subdivision (a)(4) of this section may, at the election of the consumer, be treated as a withdrawal of consent for purposes of this section.

  (e) Prior Consent. This section does not apply to any records that are provided or made available to a consumer who has consented prior to January 1, 2004 to receive such records in electronic form as permitted by any statute, regulation, or other rule of law.

  (f) Oral Communications. An oral communication or a recording of an oral communication shall not qualify as an electronic record for purposes of this section except as otherwise provided under applicable law. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 288. Accuracy and ability to retain contracts and other records

  Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, if a statute, regulation, or other rule of law requires that a contract or other record relating to a transaction be in writing, the legal effect, validity, or enforceability of an electronic record of such contract or other record may be denied if such electronic record is not in a form that is capable of being retained and accurately reproduced for later reference by all parties or persons who are entitled to retain the contract or other record. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 289. Procedures consistent with federal law

  Consistent with the provisions of Section 7002(a) of the Electronic Signatures in the Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C § 7002(a), this chapter sets forth alternative procedures or requirements for the use of electronic records to establish the legal effect or validity of records in electronic transactions. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)

• § 290. Severability clause

  If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this chapter are severable. (Added 2003, No. 44, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.)