SF 661

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 01/28/2025 10:09am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; creating a pilot program for provision of
information technology assistance for small businesses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE
PILOT PROGRAM.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Pilot program established. new text end

new text begin A pilot program for small business
information technology (IT) assistance is established to provide computer technical support
and technology assistance to Minnesota small businesses.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Information technology assistance" means help with the use of computer software,
hardware, networks, telecommunications, websites, and the Internet.
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new text begin (c) "Small business" has the meaning given in section 3 of the Small Business Act,
United States Code, title 15, section 632.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Pilot program. new text end

new text begin The pilot program established under this section must provide
IT assistance services to qualifying small businesses. The services must supplement existing
small business assistance services provided by the small business assistance office. The IT
assistance services must:
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new text begin (1) provide Minnesota small businesses with free information technology assistance;
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new text begin (2) establish a dedicated hotline for the service and publish the hotline telephone number
on the small business assistance office website;
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new text begin (3) be supported by individuals with expertise in providing computer technical support;
and
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new text begin (4) be staffed at a minimum from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin (a) By January 31, 2027, the commissioner of employment and
economic development must submit a report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over economic development on the pilot program.
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new text begin (b) The report must include the following information:
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new text begin (1) the number and size of the small businesses requesting IT assistance;
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new text begin (2) the number of hours of IT assistance services provided; and
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new text begin (3) demographic and geographic details of the small businesses served.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund
to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the department's small
business assistance office to provide the services under this section. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end