The Washington State Senate introduced a bill giving an act to recognize the validity of blockchain and distributed ledger technology. The amendments to the bill added a section to encourage the blockchain and distributed ledgers’ development.

The Senate Bill 5638 was proposed by four Republican Senators on January 25, which aims to amend and add an act to the current “Washington Electronic Authentication Act”. The submitted bill plans to codify blockchain-enabled digital signatures and licenses and provides definitions as well as the legal framework necessary to enforce these standards.

The existing Washington Electronic Act aims to “facilitate commerce by means of reliable electronic messages”, “ensure that electronic signatures are not denied legal recognition”, and “provide a voluntary licensing mechanism for digital signature certification authorities”.

According to Crypto Slate, the bill completed the first reading and is being headed to committee.

Just this month, lawmakers in New Hampshire has proposed a bill to allow cryptocurrency as a payment to the state’s agencies.