CA AB2289

Amends multiple sections of the Corporations Code and Financial Code to authorize the Commissioner of Business Oversight to prescribe circumstances for accepting electronic records and electronic signatures in business filings.

Changes franchise registration effectiveness timeline from the 15th business day to the 30th day after filing a complete application, and applies the same timeline to franchise registration renewals.

Defines "electronic record" to include applications, amendments, financial statements, hearing transcripts, decisions, and correspondence related to qualifications, registrations, licenses, and permits across multiple regulatory programs.

Defines "electronic signature" as an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to an electronic record and executed with intent to sign, applicable to Corporate Securities Law, Franchise Investment Law, Check Sellers/Bill Payers Law, Escrow Law, California Finance Lenders Law, and California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law.

Includes legislative findings encouraging the Department of Business Oversight to continue expanding electronic filing methods to the extent feasible as resources become available.