Grants for strengthening American elections against climate change-driven disasters

(a) In general The Election Assistance Commission shall make grants to assist States in strengthening the resiliency of State voting systems against potential covered major disasters to improve the quality, reliability, accuracy, accessibility, affordability, and security of voting equipment, election systems, and voting technology. (b) Use of funds A State shall use the funds provided under a grant made under this section to carry out one or more of the following activities: (1) Improving the administration of elections for Federal office with specific regard to disaster preparedness. (2) Educating voters concerning State plans for election administration during or immediately after a covered major disaster. (3) Training election officials, poll workers, and election volunteers with respect to disaster preparedness. (4) Developing or publishing the continuity of operation plan required by section 3 of this Act. (5) Improving, acquiring, leasing, modifying, or replacing voting systems and technology and methods for casting and counting votes, provided that such improvements, acquisitions, leases, modifications, or replacements will enhance the resiliency of a Federal election in the State. (6) Establishing or modifying a toll-free hotline that voters may use to obtain information on how and where to vote in the event of a covered major disaster. (c) Limitation A State may not use the funds provided under a grant made under this section— (1) to pay the costs associated with any litigation, except to the extend that such costs otherwise constitute permitted uses of a grant under this section; (2) for the payment of any judgment; or (3) for any use that would violate a State or Federal court order. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section— (1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; (2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; (3) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; (4) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2029; and (5) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.