This 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 or a renewal of either 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 renewal. Employees of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are required to provide the same level of assistance and instruction for the voter registration application as they do for the license application. Applicants will have the option to decline to register to vote, and if they are previously registered, they can change their address for voting purposes. The bill includes provisions to protect the privacy of those who decline to register.

The voter registration application must include the registrant's name, residence address, mailing address (if different), date of birth, signature, and date of signature, along with any other information required by the state board of elections. The application will also inform applicants of the penalties for submitting false voter registration, the confidentiality of their decision to decline registration, and the confidentiality of information regarding their hunting or fishing license if they choose to register.

The completed voter registration application must be transmitted by the DEM to the central voter registration system within one business day of acceptance. Individuals who complete the registration process while applying for a license will be presumed registered as of the acceptance date, pending verification by the local board. The DEM is prohibited from transmitting voter registrations for applicants who do not certify their citizenship.

If an ineligible person is registered to vote through this process, their registration will not be deemed their fault, although knowingly providing false information is subject to prosecution. The state board of elections is authorized to adopt regulations to implement these provisions.

Additionally, other state agencies that collect documents proving eligibility may follow similar automatic voter registration procedures as outlined for the DEM. The provisions of this section will take effect 90 days after the DEM certifies that its computer system can meet the requirements set forth in the bill.