Senate Bill No. 1553 amends existing laws related to early voting and municipal revenue sharing. The bill specifically excludes April 20, 2025, from the early voting period prior to special elections and presidential preference primaries, replacing the previously designated date of March 31, 2024. It establishes that early voting will begin five days before and end two days prior to the election, while also excluding any legal holidays. Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions and exclusions concerning municipal spending, clarifying that expenditures for debt service and disaster declarations will not be included in the calculation of municipal spending.

The bill further modifies the distribution of property tax grants to municipalities and districts based on their mill rates, requiring municipalities to disburse property tax grants attributable to districts within fifteen calendar days of receipt. For fiscal years starting June 30, 2023, municipalities with mill rates exceeding 32.46 mills will receive grants based on the difference between the property taxes they would have levied on motor vehicles at that rate and the actual mill rate imposed. The bill also establishes a cap on budget expenditures that municipalities can exceed without facing grant reductions, removing previous provisions for reductions based on budget increases and protecting municipalities from grant reductions due to population increases or for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Additionally, it clarifies the definition of "mill rate" and adjusts the certification process for municipalities exceeding budget caps.

Statutes affected:
New Bill: 4-66l
Public Act No. 25-3: 4-66l