This bill mandates background checks for employees, contractors, directors, and partners of private companies that program and maintain electronic ballot counting machines in New Hampshire. It introduces a new section, RSA 656:40-a, which requires these companies to assign employee identification numbers and cards to all personnel involved in programming or maintaining the machines. Additionally, the companies must submit a monthly list of these employees to the Secretary of State and Attorney General, which will be publicly accessible on the Secretary of State's website. The bill also stipulates that the Attorney General will conduct criminal background checks, including fingerprint-based checks, and that the costs of these investigations will be borne by the distributors.

Furthermore, the bill amends RSA 91-A:5, IV to allow public inspection of the criminal records related to the background checks required under the new section. This change ensures transparency regarding the personnel involved in the electronic ballot counting process. The bill does not provide funding or authorize new positions to manage the implementation of these requirements, leading to an indeterminable fiscal impact, with potential costs estimated between $222,000 and $500,000 for additional personnel needed to carry out the tasks associated with the background checks and public record management.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 91-A:5