2016 -- H 8324

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LC006173

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT

AND SUPPLIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Slater, Naughton, Maldonado, and Keable

     Date Introduced: June 10, 2016

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 17-19 of the General Laws entitled "Conduct of Election and

Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     17-19-8.3. Election technology. -- Electronic Poll books. -- (a) The secretary of state is

hereby authorized to develop a program permitting the use of electronic poll books or e-poll

books in lieu of or in addition to paper poll books used for conducting elections pursuant to title

17.

     (b) Appropriation. There is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury for the

fiscal year 2016-2017, the sum of one hundred ninety-five thousand dollars ($195,000) for the

initial funding of the technology and resources for purposes of an e-poll book program used for

conducting elections pursuant to title 17.

     (c) Rules and regulations. The secretary of state is hereby authorized to promulgate rules

and regulations necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter.

     (d) Participation. Participation in the e-poll book program shall be permitted at the

discretion of the secretary of state in consultation with the state board of elections.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC006173

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ELECTIONS - CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT

AND SUPPLIES

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     This act would create a program implementing the use of electronic poll books for

elections.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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