Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 470 First Substitute (2023GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Cutler, P.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/14/2023

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms; and
• requires the Division of Technology Services to:
• provide recommendations to government entities regarding digital verifiable records and credentials; and
• create a pilot program for digital verifiable credentials.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

GOVERNMENT DIGITAL VERIFIABLE
RECORD AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Paul A. Cutler
Senate Sponsor: 
Kirk A. Cullimore
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill requires the Division of Technology Services to create a pilot program and
provide recommendations for certain digital verifiable records.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms; and
▸ requires the Division of Technology Services to:
• provide recommendations to government entities regarding digital verifiable
records and credentials; and
• create a pilot program for digital verifiable credentials.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
63A-16-108
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
63A-16-108
 is enacted to read:
 63A-16-108.
Digital verifiable credential and records.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Blockchain" means a distributed ledger of ordered electronic records that:
(i) is distributed across a network of computers;
(ii) utilizes technology to prevent the unauthorized alteration of electronic records; and
(iii) is mathematically verified.
(b) "Digital record schema" means a description of the data fields and tamper-evident
technologies required to create a digital verifiable credential or digital verifiable record that can
be registered on a distributed ledger technology.
(c) "Digital signature" means a tamper-evident, immutable, electronic seal that is
equivalent in function and status to a notary seal issued by a government entity.
(d) "Digital verifiable credential" means a digital document that:
(i) attests to a fact;
(ii) is issued by a government entity;
(iii) can be mathematically verified; and
(iv) conveys rights, privileges, and legal enforceability equivalent to the possession of a
physical credential of the same type.
(e) "Digital verifiable record" means a digital record that:
(i) is issued by a government entity or has been digitally signed by a government entity;
(ii) has a digital signature;
(iii) can be mathematically verified; and
(iv) conveys rights, privileges, and legal enforceability equivalent to the possession of a
physical record of the same type.
(f) "Distributed ledger" means a decentralized database that is maintained by the
consensus of replicated, shared, and synchronized digital data.
(g) "Government entity" means:
(i) the state;
(ii) a state agency; or
(iii) a political subdivision of the state.
(h) "Government operations privacy officer" means the government operations privacy
officer described in Section 
67-1-17
.
(i) "State archivist" means the state archivist appointed under Section 
63A-12-102
.
(j) "State privacy officer" means the state privacy officer described in Section 
67-3-13
.
(k) "State registrar" means the state registrar of vital records appointed under Section
26-2-3
.
(2) The Division of Technology Services shall:
(a) provide recommendations to government entities regarding:
(i) appropriate digital record schemas that allow a government to issue a digital
verifiable credential or record;
(ii) policies and procedures to protect the privacy of personal identifying information
maintained within distributed ledger programs;
(iii) the manner and format in which an issuer may certify a document through
blockchain; and
(iv) processes and procedures for the preservation, auditability, integrity, security, and
confidentiality of digital verifiable credentials and records;
(b) create a pilot program for the implementation of digital verifiable credentials by
governmental entities; and
(c) report to Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee by October
31, 2023, on the duties described in Subsections (2)(a) and (b).
(3) In performing the duties described in Subsections (2)(a) and (b), the Division of
Technology Services shall consult with:
(a) the state archivist;
(b) the state privacy officer;
(c) the government operations privacy officer;
(d) the state registrar;
(e) private industry professionals with relevant expertise;
(f) the Utah League of Cities and Towns; and
(g) an association of counties in the state.