BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair 2015 - 2016 Regular Session AB 2636 (Linder) - Certified copies of marriage, birth, and death certificates: electronic application ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Version: August 2, 2016 |Policy Vote: JUD. 7 - 0 | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Urgency: No |Mandate: No | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Hearing Date: August 11, 2016 |Consultant: Jolie Onodera | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- *********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM - SUSPENSE FILE *********** The following information is revised to reflect amendments adopted by the committee on August 11, 2016 Bill Summary: AB 2636 would authorize, until January 1, 2021, if a request for a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage record is made electronically, a state or local official to accept electronic acknowledgement verifying the identity of the applicant using a multilayered remote identity proofing process, as specified. This bill would require state and local agencies fulfilling electronic requests for certified copies of records to report specified information to the Attorney General and the Legislature by January 1, 2019. AB 2636 (Linder) Page 1 of ? Fiscal Impact: Department of Public Health (DPH) : Potential staffing costs of about $275,000 (General Fund or Special Fund*) through 2020 to support two positions should the DPH opt to establish a secure online verification process. The estimated costs would support two positions to manage a vendor contract for payment processing and reconciling, as well as modifications to the current customer request tracking system. The cost to contract with a private vendor to provide the electronic authentication system and the public interface for accepting electronic applications is undetermined at this time. County registrar/recorder : Potentially significant one-time and ongoing non-reimbursable local costs (Local Funds) for local agencies to establish and operate a secure online verification process. Vital records fee revenue : Potential shift of fee revenues collected by the state and local agencies should the DPH opt to establish an electronic verification system. Data through FY 2013-14 indicates that counties have historically processed more than 90 percent of certified copy requests for vital records each year. The adoption of an online verification system by the DPH could increase state fee revenues, and reduce the volume and demand for services in the counties, resulting in reduced local fee revenues and unknown impacts on local operations. Attorney General : Potential minor one-time costs (General Fund) to accept the information reported by local agencies on the electronic verification process. *Health Statistics Special Fund Author Amendments: Authorize the DPH to implement and administer the changes made by the bill through an all-county letter or AB 2636 (Linder) Page 2 of ? similar instructions from the State Registrar without taking regulatory action. Provide that an electronic verification of identity accompanied by an electronic statement sworn under penalty of perjury may be accepted. Make other technical and conforming changes. Committee Amendments: Provide that if the DPH elects to fulfill electronic requests for certified copies of records, to report specified information to the Attorney General and the Legislature by January 1, 2019. -- END --