The bill amends Chapter 17-9.1 of the General Laws regarding the registration of voters by introducing a new section that allows automatic voter registration for individuals applying for hunting or fishing licenses in Rhode Island. Under this provision, every person applying for a hunting or fishing license, who is or may be qualified to vote by the next general election, shall be registered to vote or given the opportunity to change their voting address if previously registered. The application to register to vote will be offered simultaneously with the application for a hunting or fishing license or its renewal, and Department of Environmental Management employees will provide assistance with the voter registration process.

The completed voter registration application will be transmitted by the Department of Environmental Management to the central voter registration system within one business day of acceptance. The bill also includes measures to protect the privacy of applicants who decline to register to vote and outlines that any person who has completed a voter registration application while purchasing a hunting or fishing license will be presumed registered, subject to verification.

Additionally, the bill allows other state agencies that collect proof of eligibility documents to adopt similar automatic voter registration procedures as those established for the Department of Environmental Management. The provisions of this section will take effect 90 days after the director of the Department of Environmental Management certifies in writing to the General Assembly that the department's computer system is capable of meeting the requirements set forth in this chapter, following consultation with the Secretary of State.