The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance the security and integrity of electronic and electromechanical voting systems. It requires the Department of State to establish minimum security standards for these systems, which will be evaluated annually by the newly created Election Technology Advisory Board. The bill mandates compliance with specified standards for all voting systems, outlines the responsibilities of the Advisory Board, and emphasizes the need for cybersecurity expertise within the Bureau of Voting Systems. Additionally, it introduces new definitions related to election data management, including "voter data" and "portable data storage," and establishes protocols for the certification and procurement of election systems, including the prohibition of wireless communication in tabulators and the requirement for U.S.-based software development.

Furthermore, the bill imposes stricter oversight and testing protocols for voting systems, including civil penalties for vendors who fail to disclose defects. It mandates that all electronic voting systems undergo rigorous testing and that results be made publicly available, allowing for public observation during the testing process. The legislation also requires manual audits by county canvassing boards and outlines procedures for these audits to ensure transparency. Key changes include the establishment of a Bureau of Voting Systems Certification, the introduction of conflict-of-interest rules for examiners, and the requirement for vendors to reimburse the Department for examination costs. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 394 Filed: 97.021, 101.015, 101.017, 101.293, 101.294, 101.295, 101.34, 101.341, 101.5604, 101.5605, 101.5606, 101.56065, 101.5612, 101.591, 101.68, 101.69