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House substitutes voter-record bill to allow individual opt-outs for birthday data
Summary
Representative Edwards introduced a first substitute to HB 304 changing the default for voter birthdays to public while creating an opt-out that lets individual registrants keep birthdays private; the substitute was adopted and the bill circled for later consideration.
Representative Edwards moved to replace House Bill 304 with a first substitute that alters how voter birthday information is handled on registration files. The substitute makes birthdays public by default but provides a mechanism for individual voters to opt out and make their birthdate private.
Edwards said the substitute creates a default public record while respecting privacy choices by allowing registrants to designate their birthday as private in several contexts (voter file, driver's license form, online absentee ballot request). The sponsor said the change balances transparency with individual privacy rights.
After a brief explanation the House substituted the bill and then "circled" it (set it aside for members to review), a procedural step giving representatives time to examine the substitute language before further consideration.
No final passage vote occurred on HB 304 the same day; the action taken was substitution and circling for further review.
