The legislative bill aims to establish a state-funded grant program in Minnesota to help counties and cities enhance their cybersecurity infrastructure. This grant program will provide financial assistance to local governments that need additional resources to improve cybersecurity but lack them due to insufficient federal and state support. The program will fund a variety of cybersecurity-related expenses such as technology services, equipment, software, and professional consulting services. Eligible local governments can apply for an initial grant up to $25,000 for specific expenditures, with the possibility of additional supplemental grants that can cover up to 75% of costs exceeding $25,000, with a cap of $1 million in total grants per county or city.

To ensure fair distribution, the program requires an application process where local needs and risks are assessed. Grants will be distributed equitably across different geographical regions of the state. Recipients of the grants are required to provide annual reports on how the funds were used, ensuring accountability. Additionally, $20 million is allocated from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to support this cybersecurity grant program. Each year, a detailed report on the program's outcomes will be submitted to the relevant legislative committees.

Overall, this bill intends to bolster the cybersecurity infrastructure across Minnesota's counties and cities, promoting safer and more secure digital operations in local government.