1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to economic development; creating a pilot program for provision of
1.3 information technology assistance for small businesses.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE
1.6PILOT PROGRAM.
1.7 Subdivision 1.Pilot program established.A pilot program for small business
1.8information technology (IT) assistance is established to provide computer technical support
1.9and technology assistance to Minnesota small businesses.
1.10 Subd. 2.Definitions.(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the
1.11meanings given.
1.12 (b) "Information technology assistance" means help with the use of computer software,
1.13hardware, networks, telecommunications, websites, and the Internet.
1.14 (c) "Small business" has the meaning given in section 3 of the Small Business Act,
1.15United States Code, title 15, section 632.
1.16 Subd. 3.Pilot program.The pilot program established under this section must provide
1.17IT assistance services to qualifying small businesses. The services must supplement existing
1.18small business assistance services provided by the small business assistance office. The IT
1.19assistance services must:
1.20 (1) provide Minnesota small businesses with free information technology assistance;
1Section 1.
25-01320 as introduced01/03/25 REVISOR SS/NS
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 661NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: GUSTAFSON and Housley)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading01/27/2025
Referred to Jobs and Economic Development 2.1 (2) establish a dedicated hotline for the service and publish the hotline telephone number
2.2on the small business assistance office website;
2.3 (3) be supported by individuals with expertise in providing computer technical support;
2.4and
2.5 (4) be staffed at a minimum from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
2.6 Subd. 4.Reporting.(a) By January 31, 2027, the commissioner of employment and
2.7economic development must submit a report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction
2.8over economic development on the pilot program.
2.9 (b) The report must include the following information:
2.10 (1) the number and size of the small businesses requesting IT assistance;
2.11 (2) the number of hours of IT assistance services provided; and
2.12 (3) demographic and geographic details of the small businesses served.
2.13 Subd. 5.Appropriation.$....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund
2.14to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the department's small
2.15business assistance office to provide the services under this section. This is a onetime
2.16appropriation.
2Section 1.
25-01320 as introduced01/03/25 REVISOR SS/NS