Almost all US states either have an electronic signature law in place or are preparing one.

Still, this is more than a brotherly squabble, as Governor Bush's comments could well provide the president's opponents with ammunition against his signature law.

The Division is also charged with administering the state's digital signature laws and with notarizing apostilles.

Brian Melter, the company's manager for e-commerce, said bank-account verification would be "almost instantaneous" now that the new electronic signature law is in effect, overcoming an obstacle to same-day purchases.

After four years as education secretary, bringing President Bush's signature law on education to classrooms across the nation, Rod Paige plans to leave the cabinet in the near future, administration officials said Friday.

As Alamo goes forward with the system, the Federal Trade Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the Department of Commerce are gathering information on how well the new signature law is working.

With the elections over, Congress and the Bush administration are moving ahead with ambitious environmental agendas that include revamping signature laws on air pollution and endangered species and reviving a moribund energy bill that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to energy exploration.