Committee sends cleanup to House floor to ensure weekly voter-file publication

The House State Affairs committee moved SB214, described by sponsor Sen. Sue Peterson as a cleanup to last year’s HB1062, to clarify how the statewide voter registration file is updated and published.

Peterson told the committee SB214 "clarifies some language regarding updates" and reconciles preexisting code that had prevented unrestricted internet access; the intent of HB1062 was to have the full updated list published weekly. County auditors who testified, including Leah Anderson, said the amendment helps the Secretary of State implement a weekly archive so that a five-year history would be built rather than repeatedly wiping older data.

Representative Hansen moved adoption of amendment 214A; after discussion the committee moved SB214A forward and later voted to pass SB214 as amended. Roll call showed 11 ayes, 1 nay and 1 excused. The committee transmitted the due-pass-as-amended recommendation to the House floor.