Committee approves two bills on voter-roll removals and DMV reporting

The Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee approved two bills by voice vote during the session.

House Bill 2016: obituary notices for voter-roll maintenance House Bill 2016, as summarized by committee staff, would amend the statute that authorizes county election officials to remove registered voters who are deceased or otherwise disqualified. The amendment would permit county election officers to use obituary notices published online by a funeral home located in the county as an additional source for verifying a registrant’s death. Committee members approved a conceptual amendment changing the enactment date language from publication in the statute book to the register. Senator Clifford moved the favorable pass of HB 2016 as amended; Senator Faskadeau seconded. The chair called the voice vote and announced the bill passed.

House Bill 2020: DMV reporting on noncitizen driver's licenses House Bill 2020 would direct the director of the Department of Motor Vehicles to submit quarterly reports on driver’s licenses issued to noncitizens to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is to compare that report with voter-registration rolls and, if a noncitizen appears on a voter roll, direct the relevant county election officer to remove the individual from the voter-registration rolls within five business days; the county must notify the affected person that they can be reinstated upon providing proof of citizenship. The committee approved a conceptual amendment to change the bill’s effective-date language from the statute book to the register. Senator Blue moved that HB 2020 be passed favorably as amended; Senator Gossage seconded. The chair called the voice vote and announced the bill passed.

Votes and procedure Both measures were passed by voice vote; the transcript records the chair calling “All those in favor say aye” and announcing each bill passed. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the hearing transcript.