MN SF3528

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 election equipment.

Authorizes grants for purchase or lease of electronic voting systems, assistive voting technology, electronic roster systems, and other secretary-of-state-approved election equipment purchased or leased on or after July 1, 2016.

Grants may cover up to 75 percent of eligible equipment costs, with the secretary of state developing fair distribution criteria considering voter population served, equipment age/condition, rural-urban balance, and long-term maintenance planning if applications exceed available funds.

Requires applicants to submit applications describing equipment type, total costs, funding sources, and long-term maintenance plans; secretary of state must establish application deadlines and verification procedures.

Appropriates $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 from the general fund for the grant account and requires annual reporting to the legislature on grants awarded until funds are exhausted.