DE HB342

Establishes a Department of Elections Voting Equipment Selection Task Force to recommend voting equipment to replace current equipment used by the Department of Elections.

Task Force comprises 12 members including the State Election Commissioner (Chair), 2 House members (1 per caucus), 2 Senate members (1 per caucus), Governor's representative, 2 State Board of Elections members, Director of Office of Management and Budget, Chief Information Officer of Department of Technology and Information, Controller General, and State Council for Persons with Disabilities representative.

State Election Commissioner investigates voting equipment options and presents 3-5 selections to the Task Force based on function, price, and purchase or lease options; Task Force votes on recommendation.

Task Force must submit findings and recommendations to the Speaker and President Pro Tempore of the Senate by March 1, 2017, with copies to the Governor, relevant state agencies, and legislative committees.

Task Force recommendation is advisory only; any purchase or lease of voting equipment requires approval by the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Improvement Programs.