MN HF5324

Establishes a state-funded cybersecurity grant account in the special revenue fund to provide grants to counties and cities lacking resources to benefit from other federal and state cybersecurity programs.

Authorizes grant funds for twelve categories of cybersecurity expenditures, including IT services, equipment for operational technology, storage and backup solutions, cloud services, email security, antivirus software, firewalls, and consulting services.

Provides initial grants up to $25,000 for eligible expenditures, with supplemental grants available covering up to 75 percent of costs exceeding $25,000, with a $1,000,000 total limit per county or city.

Requires commissioner to establish application standards prioritizing risk reduction, critical infrastructure protection, government data security, state law compliance, and local need assessment including staff expertise and access to local resources.

Appropriates $20,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 from the general fund and requires annual reporting to legislature on grants awarded, jurisdictions, amounts, and expenditure descriptions beginning January 15, 2025.