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Senate Bill 1046 would expand automatic voter registration to hunting and fishing license transactions
Summary
Senate Bill 1046 would extend Oregon’s automatic voter registration to people who register for hunting or fishing licenses through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, with an operative date of June 1, 2027, according to the bill summary presented to the Senate Committee on Rules.
Sen. David Brock Smith (R) presented Senate Bill 1046 to the Senate Committee on Rules on March 31, describing the bill as a proposal to extend Oregon’s automatic voter registration system to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under the measure, when a person signs up for a hunting or fishing license the Department would transmit information to the Secretary of State’s office to check registration status and, where appropriate, register the person to vote with the county of residence. The bill’s summary presented to the committee sets an operative date of June 1, 2027.
Amy Patrick, policy director for the Oregon Hunters Association, testified in support of the concept and said the association already encourages members to register. Her organization raised implementation questions about ODFW’s e‑license system (mobile app and online purchases) and about the costs of securely maintaining records and data transfers. Patrick emphasized that implementation costs should not be placed on rate‑paying license holders and suggested state funding for technical work.
Rebecca Gladstone of the League of Women Voters followed with supportive comments and asked the committee to ensure that secure protocols, staff training and adequate resources accompany any expansion of automatic registration; she referenced ORS 247.018 and earlier statutory changes that extended automatic registration to the Oregon Health Authority.
No committee action or vote was recorded on the bill at the March 31 hearing.
Ending: The public hearing closed with requests for additional information about interface mechanics, data security, and funding to avoid imposing costs on license purchasers.
