It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 17-19 of the General Laws entitled "Conduct of Elections and Voting Machines and Supplies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

{ADD 17-19-3.12. Optical scan precinct count technology to be employed in Westerly local referenda election -- Declaration of purpose. -- ADD} {ADD WHEREAS, The town of Westerly will hold town elections on Tuesday, June 20, 1995; and

WHEREAS, Voting equipment technology has now advanced to the point where votes can be cast and reliably recorded on optical scan precinct count voting systems; and

WHEREAS, Such optical scan precinct count voting systems are now in use in various states and have resulted in returning accurate and reliable voting results within a shorter period of time than is possible through the use of mechanical lever machines; and

WHEREAS, The general assembly finds that it is in the public interest to begin the process of conversion from mechanical level voting machines to more modern voting technology; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the general assembly determines that an optical scan precinct count voting system shall be employed in the town of Westerly to the extent provided in section 17-19-3.13. ADD}

{ADD 17-19-3.13. Optical scan precinct count voting system -- Trial basis. -- ADD} {ADD Notwithstanding any law to the contrary contained in titles 17 and 45, and provided that the state does not incur any costs greater than ordinarily would be incurred in the conduct of the hereinafter described election, the board of elections and the secretary of state shall conduct the election referred to in section 17-19-3.12 through the use of the Optec III-PE Eagle optical scan precinct count units and related voting equipment as provided by the vendor, Business Records Corporation, BRC. Ballots shall be configured to conform to the operation of said voting equipment. The secretary of state and the vendor shall coordinate the vendor's schedule with the board of elections and the Westerly board of canvassers. All voter education, poll worker training and technical assistance associated with the use and operation of the optical scan voting equipment shall be the responsibility of the vendor. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.