Sen. Michael Dembrow

Requires Secretary of State, in consultation with Director of Department of Revenue, to conduct study and develop recommendations regarding desirability and most effective method for using tax filings submitted to Department of Revenue to ensure accuracy of addresses of electors contained in centralized voter registration system. Requires secretary to submit report detailing recommendations by September 15, 2018. Sunsets January 2, 2019.

Extends ad valorem property tax exemption to existing qualified dwelling units of single-unit housing purchased by taxpayers seeking exemption. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs Health Licensing Office to issue license to engage in practice of art therapy to qualified applicant. Requires person licensed to practice art therapy to comply with rules adopted by office. Directs office to adopt rules relating to art therapy. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

For counties with 35,000 or more electors, increases number of required voting booths and requires specified number of voting booth locations. Requires each voting booth location to permit registered elector to cast ballot, update address information on elector's voter registration file and request and receive reissued or replacement ballot. Requires each voting booth location to be open for no less than eight hours on every weekday and four hours on every weekend day during specified period before election. Requires that each voting booth location be open from 8 o'clock in morning through 8 o'clock in evening on date of election. Permits county clerk to determine location of voting booths and lists guidelines county clerk must consider when making determination. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Secretary of State for purpose of hiring individuals to assist with new requirements. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Requires state to pay for ballot return envelopes that can be returned by business reply mail for each election held in this state. Applies to elections held on or after January 1, 2019.

Requires Department of State Lands to consider risks of oil spill when issuing or amending certain leases. Prohibits construction, extension or use of wharf for receipt and discharge of crude oil. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs Higher Education Coordinating Commission to develop and implement pilot program to assist foster youth transitioning from community college to public university. Establishes criteria for pilot program. Authorizes issuance of lottery bonds to finance programs developed under pilot program to assist foster youth transitioning from community college to public university. Creates Foster Youth Promise Support Program Fund. Continuously appropriates moneys in fund to Higher Education Coordinating Commission. Directs commission to use moneys in fund to finance programs developed under pilot program to assist foster youth transitioning from community college to public university. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Requires each governing board of public university to include one voting undergraduate student member and one voting graduate student member.

Eliminates certain driving privilege suspensions.

Provides that part-time faculty member at public institution of higher education who qualifies for health care benefits will pay 10 percent of insurance premiums, with remaining 90 percent paid by state.