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Committee unanimously backs amendment to make DMV–Secretary of State data sharing mandatory; removes polling‑place internet mandate as committee seeks floor fix
Summary
The committee adopted amendment 2026‑0626H to HB1600 to require ("shall") routine electronic information sharing between DMV and the Secretary of State and permit the voter‑registration database to satisfy ID criteria. Members agreed to bring a floor amendment removing a polling‑place Wi‑Fi mandate and to refine effective-date language before floor action; committee voted the bill 'ought to pass as amended' by recorded roll call.
What happened: In executive session the committee adopted amendment 2026‑0626H to House Bill 1600, changing discretionary language in existing statutes so the Secretary of State and DMV have a mandatory pathway to exchange data and ensuring the statewide voter‑registration database may be used to satisfy domicile, age, identity and citizenship checks.
Key details of the amendment: The changes replace permissive verbs in statute with mandatory language to prevent discontinuation of the data‑sharing memorandum of understanding used in voter‑registration work. The amendment also clarifies that information in the state database can satisfy the four statutory identity/eligibility criteria and directs that registrars have access to the centralized system during polling‑place operating hours.
Operational concerns and compromise: Members worried about an unfunded mandate if the amendment required every polling place to have dedicated internet access. Several representatives recommended removing the explicit polling‑place connectivity requirement and instead finding funding (HAVA or other sources) or carving the requirement into implementation timelines. The committee agreed to prepare a bipartisan floor amendment to remove the direct polling‑place mandate while keeping the mandatory data‑sharing and database‑use provisions.
Roll‑call vote: After adopting amendment 2026‑0626H, the committee voted the bill 'ought to pass as amended' in a recorded roll call. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from the members present; the session recorded the final tally as unanimous among those voting (recorded in session as 17 yes, 0 no).
Representative concerns and quotes: Members pressed whether the Secretary of State already operates the centralized system and about fiscal impacts. One member summarized the underlying problem as two clauses in prior Memoranda of Understanding that allowed either party to terminate the exchange; the amendment eliminates that discretionary language. During debate a committee member asked, "What is a protected person?" and the State Police witness replied earlier in the day that "That's determined by the Secret Service," highlighting the separation of federal protective responsibilities for certain officials.
Next steps: Committee moved the bill forward 'ought to pass as amended' and directed sponsors to coordinate a floor amendment to remove or soften any direct polling‑place internet mandate and to set a practical effective date; members flagged possible floor amendments to add majority/minority leader referrals and other non‑material cleanup.
