Section 30 is intended to conform the provisions allowing electronic signatures in Sections 1(3)(B) and 19 of the RUAA with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 7001, 7002 (2000).

§8731.__Savings clause

This chapter does not affect an action or proceeding commenced or right accrued before January 1, 2004.__Subject to section 8703, an arbitration agreement made before January 1, 2004 is governed by the Uniform Arbitration Act, former chapter 706.

Uniform Comment

(This is section 33 of the Uniform Act.)

1. This section continues the prior law under the UAA with respect to a pending action or proceeding or right accrued until the UAA is repealed in accordance with Sections 31 and 3(a) and (c) or the parties agree in a record under Section 3(b) to apply the RUAA to an arbitration agreement made under the UAA. Because courts generally apply the law that exists at the time an action is commenced, in many circumstances the new law would displace the old law, but for this section.

2. While most States have general savings statutes, these are often quite broad. The intent of Section 33 is to follow Rule 19 of the NCCUSL Procedural and Drafting Manual which states that a specific savings clause should be included in a statute "to preserve a law that the Act supersedes and which otherwise would apply with respect to described transactions and events that occur before the Act takes effect to minimize disruption inherent in change from the old to the new law." The Comment to Rule 19 uses as an example statutes where there is a transition period like the Uniform Partnership Act upon which Sections 3, 31, 32, and 33 of the RUAA are based.

§8732.__Short title

This chapter may be known and cited as "the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act."

Sec. A-3. Effective date. This Part takes effect January 1, 2004.