The bill amends section 101.5612 of the Florida Statutes to enhance transparency in the testing of tabulating equipment used in elections. It requires that public notice of the testing be given at least 48 hours in advance, specifying that this notice must be published on the county website, the supervisor of elections website, or in local newspapers. Additionally, if the relevant websites are unavailable or if there are no newspapers in the county, the notice must be posted in at least four conspicuous locations.

Furthermore, the bill allows designated experts from political parties to observe the testing and counting of votes, ensuring their presence during these critical processes. The language changes include replacing "shall" with "must" regarding the notice requirement and affirming that the tests are open to representatives of political parties, the press, and the public. The designated expert is specifically allowed to observe the tests and counting without interfering with the canvassing board's operations. This act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 974 Filed: 101.5612