Agenda - Council - 02/08/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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personnel to provide security and perform screening at our nation's airports. These new responsibilities increase cities' liability exposure and result in higher local costs for public safety services. In addition, local governments are expected to continue emergency planning and capacity building efforts, provide additional training and equipment for first responders, and improve emergency response coordination and communication. As partners in protecting our country from terrorism, the federal government must: 1) provide greater direct financial support for our first responders; 2) maintain funding for general pre- and post -disaster emergency management programs; 3) ensure a coordinated and effective national emergency response system; and 4) address issues of cyber security that threaten public safety, services, and infrastructure. Response: The League of Minnesota Cities recommends that when the federal government requires or contracts for cities' assistance in meeting federal homeland security responsibilities, the federal government should fully cover the costs, including the risk of liability arising from these activities. The League supports greater federal funding to prepare, train, and equip our first responders. The League also supports changes in the federal funding process to ensure Department of Homeland Security funds move quickly to the local level. Furthermore, the League supports the allocation of state resources to provide training and technical assistance to local governments related to the prevention and control of cyber security risks to critical infrastructure. 44 SD-46. Cybersecurity Issue: Dating back to at least 2012, U.S. Defense Secretaries have warned that the United States are increasingly vulnerable to foreign computer hackers who could dismantle the nation's power grid, transportation system, financial networks and government. On a state level, the original Minnesota broadband task force issued unanimous joint recommendations regarding cybersecurity in their 2009 report. The more recent iteration of the Broadband Task Force also issued a 2016 recommendation to establish a legislative cybersecurity commission to share information, monitor workforce issues, and support and strengthen infrastructure. These recommendations to address cybersecurity issues in the state have not been implemented, which creates an absence of a secure and safe forum for state and local officials and policymakers to share information and assess the necessary tools and capabilities needed to protect their systems. The problem is serious. The Minnesota Judicial Branch, state agencies, cities, and school districts were all affected by cyberattacks in 2017. Response: The League of Minnesota Cities supports state action to identify and strengthen state and local capabilities. The League supports the inclusion of funding to evaluate state government cyber vulnerabilities, single points of failure, and fixes, and, based on those findings, create an ability for municipal governments to apply for grant funding or assistance to help conduct the same evaluation. SD-47. Legalization of Fireworks Issue: In 2002, the state enacted a law allowing the sale and use of non -aerial, non- explosive consumer fireworks, including