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particularly if they become a danger to <br />themselves or others. <br />SD-43. Homeland Security Costs <br />and Liability <br />Issue: The federal government's response to <br />terrorism has resulted in new responsibilities <br />for local governments in a number of areas. <br />For example, shortly after the terrorist <br />attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the federal <br />government tapped local law enforcement <br />personnel to provide security and perform <br />screening at our nation's airports. These new <br />responsibilities increase cities' liability <br />exposure and result in higher local costs for <br />public safety services. In addition, local <br />governments are expected to continue <br />emergency planning and capacity building <br />efforts, provide additional training and <br />equipment for first responders, and improve <br />emergency response coordination and <br />communication. <br />As partners in protecting our country from <br />terrorism, the federal government must: 1) <br />provide greater direct financial support for <br />our first responders; 2) maintain funding for <br />general pre- and post -disaster emergency <br />management programs; 3) ensure a <br />coordinated and effective national <br />emergency response system; and 4) address <br />issues of cyber security that threaten public <br />safety, services, and infrastructure. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities recommends that when the federal <br />government requires or contracts for <br />cities' assistance in meeting federal <br />homeland security responsibilities, the <br />federal government should fully cover the <br />costs, including the risk of liability arising <br />from these activities. <br />The League supports greater federal <br />funding to prepare, train, and equip our <br />first responders. The League also <br />supports changes in the federal funding <br />process to ensure Department of <br />Homeland Security funds move quickly to <br />the local level. Furthermore, the League <br />supports the allocation of state resources <br />to provide training and technical <br />assistance to local governments related to <br />the prevention and control of cyber <br />security risks to critical infrastructure. <br />SD-44. Cybersecurity <br />Issue: Dating back to at least 2012, U.S. <br />Defense Secretaries have warned that the <br />United States are increasingly vulnerable to <br />foreign computer hackers who could <br />dismantle the nation's power grid, <br />transportation system, financial networks <br />and government. On a state level, the <br />original Minnesota broadband task force <br />issued unanimous joint recommendations <br />regarding cybersecurity in their 2009 report. <br />The more recent iteration of the Broadband <br />Task Force also issued a 2016 <br />recommendation to establish a legislative <br />cybersecurity commission to share <br />information, monitor workforce issues, and <br />support and strengthen infrastructure. These <br />recommendations to address cybersecurity <br />issues in the state have not been <br />implemented, which creates an absence of a <br />secure and safe forum for state and local <br />officials and policymakers to share <br />information and assess the necessary tools <br />and capabilities needed to protect their <br />systems. The problem is serious. The <br />Minnesota Judicial Branch, state agencies, <br />cities, and school districts were all affected <br />by cyberattacks in 2017. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities supports state action to identify <br />and strengthen state and local <br />capabilities. The League supports the <br />inclusion of funding to evaluate state <br />government cyber vulnerabilities, single <br />points of failure, and fixes, and, based on <br />League of Minnesota Cities <br />2018 City Policies Page 29 <br />