Substitute House Bill No. 5352, now Public Act No. 26-133, modifies the authority of the State Elections Enforcement Commission regarding the handling of complaints related to state election law violations. The bill mandates that commission staff conduct a preliminary examination of written complaints within fourteen days of receipt. If a complaint is dismissed for lack of substantial evidence, a brief written statement must be provided. Additionally, if the commission does not issue a decision within sixty days, either party may seek a court order to address the delay. The bill also introduces a one-year deadline for complaints received after January 1, 2018, to be resolved, with certain exceptions for delays caused by various legal processes.

Significantly, the bill includes new provisions that exempt complaints related to potential violations by foreign nationals and those received after October 1, 2026, concerning chapter 151 from the one-year resolution requirement. Furthermore, for complaints received after July 1, 2024, if probable cause is found, the commission must refer the case to the Chief State's Attorney if a decision is not made within ninety days. The Chief State's Attorney is then required to report on the status of enforcement actions within twelve months. The bill also allows the Secretary of the State to seek court intervention if the commission fails to act on statements filed, ensuring a more timely response to election law violations.