Panel advances HB2154 to direct recorders to move voters to inactive status after returned 90‑day notices

The committee returned House Bill 2154 with a due‑pass recommendation after sponsor testimony and opposition from county elections officials.

HB2154 would direct a county recorder or officer in charge of elections to mark a voter as inactive when a 90‑day notice is returned as undeliverable. The bill’s sponsor described the measure as a way to increase transparency and ensure counties can explain how they handle undeliverable ballots and registrations.

Jen Morrison of the Association of Counties testified in opposition, arguing the bill as written would eliminate a required second notice under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and could expose counties to litigation. Morrison said the sentence targeted by the bill had been added to another bill (HB2673) precisely to address the NVRA requirement. She told the committee there may be alternative language to accomplish the sponsor’s goals without conflicting with federal law.

The sponsor described a constituent case involving an out‑of‑state voter and said the bill’s intent is to provide clarity about how undeliverable ballots and registrations are handled. During roll call the sponsor and members discussed the counties’ concerns; Representative Hernandez recorded a “no” vote on the committee roll call citing Morrison’s concerns. The committee vote was announced as 4 ayes and 3 nays, and the bill was given a due‑pass recommendation.

Why it matters: The NVRA imposes notice and other requirements on how voter registration is updated or removed. Counties said they need statutory language that conforms with NVRA; the bill as introduced raised questions about whether it would remove protections NVRA requires.

Next steps: Committee sponsors and county officials indicated willingness to work on alternate language before floor action.