1. (1) Beginning on May 6, 2026, if, under this section, an election officer selects for purchase a new voting equipment system, an election officer may not acquire any voting equipment that is not part of the new voting equipment system.

2. (2) Before selecting or purchasing a new voting equipment system, the lieutenant governor shall appoint a Voting Equipment Selection Committee consisting of individuals who collectively have knowledge and experience in:

   1. (a) election procedures and administration;
   2. (b) computer technology;
   3. (c) data security;
   4. (d) auditing; and
   5. (e) access for persons with disabilities.

3. (3) A member of the committee may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:

   1. (a) Section 63A-3-106;
   2. (b) Section 63A-3-107; and
   3. (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.
4. (4) The lieutenant governor shall appoint a chair from the committee membership.
5. (5) The lieutenant governor may fill any vacancies that occur on the committee.
6. (6) The Office of the Lieutenant Governor shall provide staffing for the committee.

7. (7) The Voting Equipment Selection Committee shall:

   1. (a) assist the lieutenant governor in conducting a competitive procurement under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, for the new voting equipment system; and
   2. (b) ensure that the new voting equipment system proposed for purchase by an evaluation committee under Subsection 63G-6a-707(10) complies with the requirements for casting a mechanical ballot under Section 20A-5-805.
8. (8) The lieutenant governor may designate individuals, including committee members, to inspect and review proprietary software as part of an evaluation of each new voting equipment system under consideration for purchase.
9. (9) Before an evaluation committee evaluates the proposals for the new voting equipment system under Section 63G-6a-707, the lieutenant governor shall provide for a period of public review and comment on each new voting equipment system under consideration for purchase by the state.

Amended by Chapter 24, 2026 General Session