The bill amends Section 17-1-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-1 to introduce new definitions and clarifications related to elections. It adds a definition for "Election official," which includes individuals involved in the administration or conduct of elections, such as those employed by the state board, board of canvassers, or as poll workers. Additionally, the bill allows for the total number of days served by a retired election official during a year with a general election to be combined for calculation purposes. Other definitions, including "General election," "Local election," and "Political party," are also refined for clarity.

Moreover, the bill introduces a new section, 17-7-6.1, permitting retired election officials to be temporarily employed by the state board for up to 90 days in a calendar year without losing their retirement benefits. This provision aims to enhance the operational capacity of the board during critical election periods while ensuring that the retirement allowances of these officials remain intact. The bill outlines the reporting requirements for such employment and provides two methods for calculating the 90-day employment limit. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5315: 17-1-2