Senate Bill 749 Summary

• Transfers the State Board of Elections administratively to the Department of the Secretary of State effective January 1, 2024, while maintaining the Board's independent authority over election functions.

• Restructures the State Board from 5 members appointed by the Governor to 8 members appointed by the General Assembly (2 each from Senate President Pro Tempore, House Speaker, Senate minority leader, and House minority leader) with four-year terms beginning May 1, 2029.

• Changes county boards of elections from 5 members to 4 members appointed by the General Assembly plus 1 chair appointed by the Governor, with appointment methods mirroring State Board structure.

• Transfers emergency powers to conduct elections from the Executive Director to the State Board acting in open meeting, prohibiting mail-in ballot delivery without valid requests, all mail-in elections, or delegation of authority.

• Amends filing deadlines for candidates and vacancy appointees to file statements of economic interest, changing the deadline to no earlier than January 1 and no later than 45 days before the primary election.