AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- REGISTRATION OF VOTERS

HB 7233 automatically registers Rhode Islanders to vote when they apply for or renew a hunting or fishing license, directly affecting license applicants. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Management to offer voter registration forms simultaneously with license applications, allowing applicants to opt in or decline while keeping registration decisions confidential. Completed forms must be transmitted electronically to the state voter system within 24 hours, with privacy protections for those who decline registration or provide license details. The law aligns with federal voter registration standards and mirrors existing automatic registration processes at motor vehicle offices.