This bill amends the existing law regarding the disposal and retention schedule for external memory devices used in electronic ballot counting. It specifically mandates that these external storage devices, which may include those that capture digital images, must be disposed of in the same manner as ballots, absentee ballot applications, affidavit envelopes, and lists. The bill stipulates that disposal can be achieved either through physical destruction of the storage device or by secure erasure that permanently eliminates all election-related data, including election programming, vote tallies, and digital images.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that extra external storage devices that were programmed but not used during the election are exempt from preservation requirements. The amendments are reflected in the new legal language inserted into RSA 33-A:3-a, sections XXXVI and XXXVII, which outline the updated disposal procedures. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an approval date of June 19, 2026, and an effective date of August 18, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 33-A:3-a
As Amended by the House: 33-A:3-a
As Amended by the Senate: 33-A:3-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 33-A:3-a
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 33-A:3-a
HB1298 text: 33-A:3-a