You asked for a description of the bill that the Government Administration and Elections Committee reported with a change of reference to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

HB 5366, An Act Requiring The State To Cover Costs To Municipalities Resulting From The Decennial Redistricting Of General Assembly And Congressional Districts.

The bill gives the State Bond Commission the authority to issue up to $ 5 million in state bonds for the secretary of the state to use for grants to municipalities. The bill establishes the grant program for towns that must purchase new voting machines and other equipment for new voting districts created by the 2001 plans of redistricting for state house and senate and congressional districts. The secretary can award the bond funds the bill authorizes, as well as any federal funds that may be available for voting machines and equipment purchases. The procedures for authorizing 20-year general obligation bonds apply.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2002

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