MN HF3724

Establishes a voting equipment grant account in the special revenue fund administered by the secretary of state to provide grants to counties and municipalities for voting equipment purchases or leases made on or after July 1, 2016.

Counties and municipalities may apply for grants covering up to 75 percent of the total cost of electronic voting systems, assistive voting technology, electronic roster systems, or other secretary of state-approved election equipment.

If total grant applications exceed appropriated funds, the secretary of state must develop fair distribution criteria considering voter population served, equipment age and condition, rural-urban equity, and whether the jurisdiction has a long-term equipment maintenance plan.

Future grants to the same county or municipality are limited to no more than 25 percent of the cost of subsequent voting equipment purchases, while local governments are authorized to establish dedicated savings accounts for future equipment needs.

Appropriates $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 from the general fund for the grant account and requires annual reports to legislative elections committees detailing all grants awarded until appropriations are exhausted.