HF 4568 Summary

• Adds definitions to emergency management law for "information and telecommunications technology systems and services," "local government," and "cyber attack" (unauthorized/malicious code or digital mechanisms like denial of service or ransomware targeting information systems).

• Expands the governor's emergency powers to include physical or electronic attacks on the state's information and telecommunications technology infrastructure, systems, or services as grounds for declaring a peacetime emergency.

• Allows the governor to enter into contracts and incur obligations during emergencies to protect the state's information and telecommunications technology infrastructure, systems, or services without compliance with time-consuming procedures.

• Authorizes reimbursement to other states for emergency management personnel providing aid related to response to physical or electronic attacks on Minnesota's information and telecommunications technology infrastructure.

• Repeals the previous definition of "local government" in section 12.03, subdivision 5d, and replaces it with a reference to federal regulations.