Willmar City Council offers contact to build community network to third option Kramer Group

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I posted this news earlier this week, but always interesting to get another local perspective, this time from Lakeland Media (KWLM 96.3fm in Willmar)…

The Willmar City Council Monday awarded a bid of 8.2 million dollars to Kramer Service Group of Wisconsin to do Phase One of the Willmar Connect broadband project. 10 companies initially bid on the project last December…the lowest bidder withdrew their bid after realizing they left out certain costs, and the second lowest bidder, NC3 of Clearbrook Minnesota, had their bid rescinded after they informed the city they no longer had the financial and operational capacity to do the project. So Kramer, which was the third lowest bidder, gets the job. Willmar Operations Director Kyle Box says Kramer has experience in doing this type of work.

Kramer’s bid is slightly higher than the engineer’s estimate of 8 million dollars, but Box says that estimate will likely go down because the industrial park portion of the project may be financed through a grant. Next month they will sell bonds in the amount of 9.2 million dollar.

Direction on BEAD non-deployment funds will wait until after State Broadband Leaders Network Winter Summit

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The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) reports…

Statement by Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth regarding the use of the $21 billion savings achieved in the BEAD program through the Trump Administration’s Benefit of the Bargain reforms:

“For the past few weeks, NTIA has received an extraordinary level of interest and feedback concerning our approach to using the $21 billion in savings achieved through the Benefit of the Bargain reforms to the BEAD program.

“We appreciate the voluminous and passionate responses to our call for input. Across three listening sessions, we had more than 1,700 attendees and 175 speakers participate. We also received 188 written comments from industry, state officials, and broadband advocates.

“Participants and commenters have raised interesting ideas, including funding permitting improvements and workforce-related training, enhancing public safety communications, and using some of the funding to ‘clean up’ any remaining unserved locations.

“Next week, state officials from around the country will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in our State Broadband Leaders Network Winter Summit. This conference presents a unique opportunity to engage directly with the states on how some of these ideas could be implemented to ensure we continue maximizing the value of the BEAD program for the American people.

“While our guidance was expected by next week, we are taking additional time to review the comments and finalize our approach to ensure these funds are spent as efficiently and responsibly as possible. American taxpayers work hard for their money and deserve nothing less from this Administration.”

To read about the feedback we’ve received from the public and industry, and common themes that have emerged from those discussions, click here.

Arvig expands broadband service to Twin Cities with connection to Eagan Data Center

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Business Insider reports…

Arvig is expanding its Twin Cities network footprint after finalizing an agreement to interconnect with a new data center currently under construction in Eagan, Minn.

Under a partnership with Centra, Arvig will lease co-location space and construct diverse fiber routes into the MSP1 data center, using the facility’s multiple entry points. This Tier III+ facility, engineered for low-latency connectivity and AI-ready infrastructure, is set to go online in the summer of 2026.

With this data center investment, Arvig establishes a strategic new point of presence (PoP) for its 18,500 route-mile network, which currently includes nearly 300 PoPs throughout the state. The Arvig network has diverse routes throughout the Twin Cities, including business-grade bandwidth of up to 400 Gigabits per second.

New MN Bill introduced: Data centers excluded from gross annual retail energy sales for energy conservation and optimization purposes (HF3296)

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I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:

The MN House reports…

That’s why he came to St. Paul to testify in favor of HF3296, a bill sponsored by Rep. Dawn Gillman (R-Dassel) that would allow utility sales of electricity to certain data centers to be excluded from the state’s definition of “gross annual retail energy sales,” and, thus, not required to meet the ECO plan’s annual energy savings goal of 1.5% for a cooperative or municipal utility.

On Thursday, the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee approved a delete-all amendment and laid the bill over for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

EVENT April 29: Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Plan Ahead and Save the Date

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development is hosting the Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. This in-person event will bring together national leaders, internet service providers, federal, state, tribal, and local government partners, and broadband advocates from across Minnesota. Connecting people to resources, information, and each other is critical to Minnesota’s economic stability and digital opportunity.

The summit will start at 8:30 a.m. with registration, coffee, and a light breakfast, and conclude at 4:00 p.m. There will be an opening and welcome from DEED and State leadership, a networking lunch, and breakout sessions on BEAD implementation, mapping, digital skills and security, permitting, and other key topics.

High-level Agenda (Central Time):

  • 8:30 a.m.: Arrival and registration with coffee and light breakfast
  • 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Main stage general sessions with opening welcome from DEED and State leadership
  • 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Networking lunch and Governor’s Broadband Task Force monthly meeting
  • 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Breakout sessions on key topics and initiatives

Registration will open in early spring. A $20 registration fee helps cover catering costs and ensures funds are used appropriately.

Full event details, registration, and the agenda will be shared soon. Mark your calendars for April 29!

Event center details

Connecting One Minnesota: 2026 Broadband Summit will be at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center (6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN 55434).  

Free parking will be available at the venue.  

We are committed to providing equal access to this conference for all participants. If you need alternative formats or other reasonable accommodations, please contact mndeedevents@state.mn.us by the close of business on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Google plans to open a large data center in Hermantown

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The Minnesota Star Tribune reports…

Google expects to open a second large data center in Minnesota, this one in Hermantown, the northeast Minnesota town where residents have pushed back on both the project and the secrecy that’s enshrouded it for months.

The technology giant announced March 3 that it plans to build a data center in a rural corner of Hermantown under an agreement with Minnesota Power. It will also work with Twin Cities-based developer Mortenson on its proposed 1.8 million-square-foot campus.

The city of more than 10,000 “is a natural fit for this project,” with a climate that supports air cooling as opposed to water, along with a “resilient power grid and a dedicated and motivated workforce,” Kate Franko, Google’s regional head of public affairs for data centers, said in a statement.

Concerns for the environment and potential use of Lake Superior’s coveted stores of water have been central to controversy about the data center, to be built on more than 200 acres in the city next to Duluth.

FCC denies Savage Communications request for waiver of the Commission’s RDOF non-compliance rules

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The Benton Institute for Broadband and Society report on a recent order from the FCC…

The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB or Bureau) denied Savage Communications, Inc.’s (Savage) request for waiver of the Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) non-compliance rules, finding that Savage did not demonstrate that good cause supports waiving the non-compliance rules or reducing the required support recovery. After being announced as an RDOF winning bidder, Savage filed a long-form application seeking to be authorized to receive support for the winning bids in exchange for providing voice and broadband service.  In December 2021, Savage was authorized to receive $6,090,479.10 in RDOF support over 10 years to serve 4,541 model-estimated locations in Minnesota.  In September 2025, WCB approved Savage’s transfer of its remaining RDOF support and obligations associated with its non-defaulted RDOF winning bids to Midcontinent Communications (Midcontinent). In November 2025, Savage officially notified the Bureau that it did not intend to meet its RDOF obligations in certain census block groups (CBGs) covering 1,310 model-estimated locations and acknowledging it “may be subject to the applicable non-compliance rules.” The Bureau stopped Savage’s future RDOF support and announced Savage’s default in a public notice in February 2026. In December 2025, Savage submitted a petition requesting waiver of the Commission’s non-compliance rules. Savage requested that the FCC generally waive its non-compliance rules, and if it denied this relief, Savage requested that the FCC reduce the required support recovery. Savage claimed there is good cause to grant the waiver, citing its inability to obtain a right-of-way access “despite good faith efforts and consultation with Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribe,” and explained that Consolidated Telephone Company (Consolidated) had received funding from a Minnesota county to offer broadband in one of the defaulted CBGs. Savage also indicated that it “was required to surrender four” of its RDOF CBGs as a result of being acquired by and transferring the RDOF support and obligations associated with the remaining 14 RDOF CBGs to Midcontinent, and emphasized its commitment to meeting the RDOF obligations as evidenced by the fact that had “connected 572 locations” across the defaulted CBGs. Finally, Savage claimed that the support recovery “would be unreasonable and disproportionate to the harm” caused by the defaults

Paul Bunyan Communications finishes broadband expansion in Great Scott and unorganzied Township in St. Louis County

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From Paul Bunyan Communications…

Paul Bunyan Communications has completed construction of its all-fiber optic GigaZone® network, bringing fast, reliable Internet access to more than 350 homes and businesses in Great Scott Township and an unorganized township north of Great Scott in St. Louis County. The completed expansion includes the areas surrounding Dark Lake, Clear Lake, Lake Fourteen, and Lake Leander. Residents and businesses who have signed up for service are now being contacted to schedule installation.
“This project represents more than new infrastructure, it’s about delivering Internet and WiFi for the way people live and work today,” said Chad Bullock, CEO and General Manager of Paul Bunyan Communications. “Completing this all-fiber optic expansion ensures residents and businesses in these areas have the dependable, high-speed connectivity they need for everyday life, economic opportunity, and staying connected to what matters most.”
Paul Bunyan Communications’ all-fiber optic network delivers both upload and download speeds up to 10 Gig, supporting the growing demands of modern households and businesses.
“With an all-fiber network, customers experience consistent, reliable performance across everything they do, whether that’s remote work and learning, telehealth visits, running a business, or streaming entertainment,” said Brian Bissonette, Marketing Supervisor at Paul Bunyan Communications. “This level of connectivity truly changes how people can live, work, and stay connected.”
The project was made possible in part through a $400,000 St. Louis County Broadband Grant and a $217,000 Broadband Grant from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR).
Homes and businesses within the completed expansion area that have not yet signed up for service may still do so. When feasible, the cooperative will return to bring the network to additional locations with no construction fee.
There is no membership fee to join Paul Bunyan Communications. Membership is included when subscribing to either local phone service or GigaZone® Internet service.
To check whether a specific location is included in the expansion area and to learn more about the construction process, visit www.paulbunyan.net

Broadband expanded to more than 100 households in Great Scott Township and Mountain Iron

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The IRRR Ranger reports…

The GigaZone is currently available to more than 60,000 locations in Minnesota and serves over 36,000 customers across rural and often sparsely populated areas.

“Broadband has become a cornerstone for regional economic growth, remote education, telehealth services and numerous other community initiatives in northern Minnesota,” said Craig Boyer, PBC’s chief financial officer. “The Great Scott project served an area that likely would not have received basic broadband service without external assistance. The grant from IRRR enabled the project to move forward, along with additional funding from St. Louis County.”

The locations now have access to fiber optic fast GigaZone internet and WiFi, digital voice services and Managed IT business services. The PBC cooperative is also northern Minnesota’s certified Apple Service Center and an authorized DIRECTV dealer. Anyone interested in getting connected to the all-fiber optic broadband network may sign up for service. People may sign up online or by phone. To check if a specific location is in the project area and to sign up for service, visit www.gigazone.com.

Email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004 for Broadband Infrastructure grant information.

Willmar Council rescinds contract offer to NC3 and goes with the Kramer Group to build network for community broadband

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The West Central Tribune reports…

After learning NC3 is not able to fulfill the scope of work for phase one of the Willmar Connect project, the Willmar City Council in a 5-3 vote approved awarding the bid to the next lowest bidder.

The Willmar City Council on Monday unanimously approved rescinding the bid award to NC3 for Willmar Connect phase one and in a split 5-3 vote approved awarding the bid to Kramer Service Group.

Willmar Connect is the city’s initiative to build a city-owned fiber-optic broadband network on which multiple internet service providers can lease space to provide internet services. Network fees from the providers operating on the open-access network will be used to fund the construction debt.

The motion to award the bid to Kramer Service Group was made by Councilor Tom Gilbertson and seconded by Councilor Vicki Davis. Both voted in favor of the motion, along with Councilors Audrey Nelsen, Justin Ask and Carl Shuldes. Voting against the motion were Councilors Rick Fagerlie, Stephen Gardner and Tom Butterfield.

Those three council members had also voted against awarding the bid to NC3 on Jan. 20.

Staff at that time determined that NC3 had demonstrated the responsibility, qualifications and financial capacity sufficient to complete the project in accordance with the bid specifications and contract requirements, according to the memo in the Jan. 20 packet of meeting materials.

“Over the last two weeks, NC3 has informed the city that it has bid on additional work and no longer has the financial or operational capacity to complete the Willmar Connect project as originally proposed,” said Willmar City Operations Director Kyle Box.

They are looking at another option…

Box informed the council that Kramer Service Group has been contacted and has confirmed that it is still willing to be a contractor for this project under its original bid price. …

He explained that Kramer Service Group is a well-known contractor within the industry and has completed similar types of projects in size and cost for a number of cities, including Buffalo, Minnesota, and it will be constructing phase two of the open-access network being constructed in Superior, Wisconsin, this summer.

“The considerations that the council should be aware of is that this bid is approximately $570,000 higher than the bid award to NC3,” Box added.

EVENT March 11: Upcoming Webinar | Broadband and Healthcare: Collaboration, Funding, and Policy

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From the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society…

Join the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society on March 11 at 3:00 p.m. ET for a webinar about the intersections of health, broadband access, and digital inclusion. The relationships tying technology access and use to access to health care, quality of care, and health outcomes have become more visible than ever. As health care and digital inclusion organizations alike recognize that connectivity, devices, and digital skills shape our health, collaboration across sectors is essential.

This webinar will offer ideas for how organizations can collaborate, illustrated with real-world examples. The conversation will also address how health care funding sources can be marshaled to support patients’ and providers’ access and use of technology, as well as the policy considerations associated with expanding technology-enabled healthcare.

Available on the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society’s YouTube page, the webinar will feature Benton Opportunity Fund Fellow Sara Raza, discussing a series of issue briefs about broadband access and healthcare that she authored, published jointly by Benton and the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation of Harvard Law School.

Sara Raza, currently Visiting Lecturer at the University of Washington School of Law, will moderate a discussion with:

  • Matt Christie works for the Washington State Health Care Authority in the office of the Medicaid Transformation Project. He oversees the development and implementation of the Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) services under the state’s 1115 Medicaid waiver. Prior to this work, Matt led the state’s Foundational Community Supports program, which delivers crucial supportive housing and supported employment services to the state’s most vulnerable Medicaid recipients.
  • Jon Morrison Winters is the Digital Equity Program and Broadband Manager for the City of Seattle. Prior to coming to Seattle IT in 2022, Jon was a planner with Aging and Disability Services, the Area Agency on Aging for King County, Washington. He holds a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University of Washington.
  • Amy Sheon is a Digital Health Equity Consultant in Rockville, Maryland, helping ensure that all individuals are able to use technology for health and health care. Amy holds adjunct faculty positions at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Arizona State University. She co-authored Digital Inclusion is a Social Determinant of Health (2021, NJP Digital Medicine) and two recent Policy Briefs for Health Affairs. Amy holds a PhD in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
  • Jamila McLean is the Director of Health Equity for the State Health and Values Strategies program at Princeton University. She supports states in their efforts to transform healthcare systems to be more affordable, equitable, and innovative. Throughout her career, she has championed policy and practice innovations that improve access to Medicaid and other healthcare-related benefits, providing technical assistance to state agencies and their partners. She also conducted research at the Rutgers Institute for Health focused on understanding the role of race, ethnicity, and nativity status on the physical and mental health outcomes of African Americans and Black Caribbeans. She holds a Master of Public Health from the Rutgers School of Public Health and a B.S. from the Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
  • Dr. Pablo Buitron de la Vega is a general internist and preventive medicine physician with a longstanding interest in health professional education and the impact of patients’ attitudes, health beliefs, and social determinants of health (SDOH). He provides clinical care to a majority of Hispanic and Latino patients, an underserved population in healthcare. He is also Program Director of the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (BUSM) Preventative Medicine Residency and an Assistant Professor of Medicine. Dr. Buitron de la Vega is the Medical Director for Boston Medical Center (BMC) THRIVE, a program that systematically screens patients for SDOH and refers them to resources when requested.

Tune in to learn more about the ways in which digital inclusion and healthcare organizations can join forces and contribute to healthy, connected communities.

Register here

Wadena County talks about plans for future, giving a nod to broadband progress

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The Wadena Pioneer Journal reports…

From housing and growth to long-term priorities, residents had an opportunity to share their ideas for the future of Wadena County during a public meeting as the county prepares to update its comprehensive plan.

Ben Oleson, planning consultant with Hometown Planning, kicked off the Feb. 26 meeting and noted the county has not updated its comprehensive plan since 2013. The purpose, said Oleson, is to develop a roadmap for the future of Wadena County by gaining input from residents. The process involves reviewing existing policies and updating demographic data with new census information.

They spoke about a number of topics, including broadband…

Wadena County resident Joy Weyer highlighted the need for reliable day care services beyond in-home providers and access to high-speed internet services. Weyer noted that in-home day care providers have been the backbone of child care options in the county, but day care centers that are able to provide drop-in options are limited.

Some shared info on broadband improvements…

Commissioner Bill Stearns said Wadena County has achieved a high rate of broadband coverage, mostly due to West Central Telephone’s commitment to serving Wadena County residents.

“Our county has 98 percent coverage in the county for broadband and it’s one of the highest in the state for coverage,” said Stearns, who added access to high-speed internet is a crucial component for attracting remote workers and new residents.

MN eNews Mar 2026: Task Force meeting notes and Legislative meetings

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The Office of Broadband Development speaks to Legislature
Office of Broadband Development (OBD) spoke to MN Senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development on February 18 and to the MN House Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy on February 23. Both meetings were regularly scheduled presentations on the state of broadband as they have done in the past.

MN Broadband Task Force met Feb 2026: Rural Health Research and Technologist Computers
The Broadband Task Force met today; their goal is to focus on education in the first few months of the year. They heard from folks at the Mayo on rural health research and from a Task Force member Ini Augustine who does digital equity work in Hennepin County through Technologist Computers. They also got an update from the Office of Broadband Development.

State News   

National News

Vendor/Technology News

Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:

Local Broadband News

Bois Forte Band
Bois Forte Band in Northeastern MN Begins Construction on $20 Million Tribal Fiber Project

Breitung
Breitung Township Board get broadband update: some areas up by mid-summer, take rate is good (St Louis County)

Clinton Township
Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) expands broadband to Clinton Township (St Louis County)
Broadband expanded to nearly 400 households, businesses and farms in Clinton Township

District 12A
Rep. Paul Anderson running for re-election to MN House – mentioning past work on broadband

Duluth (and Superior WI)
ImOn Communications to expand fiber to Duluth MN and Superior WI

St Louis County
MN Broadband Task Force Member and St. Louis County Commissioner, Paul McDonald, seeks re-election

St Paul
Gov. Tim Walz has authorized $1.2 million to Aid St. Paul Cyber Attack Recovery

Twin Cities
A look at fiber consolidation in MN, especially the Twin Cities

Waseca
Waseca County celebrates strong progress on rural broadband

Willmar
Willmar City Council considers rescinding award to build broadband for of Willmar Connect
Willmar City Council approves selling bonds for Phase 1 of Willmar Connect project
Willmar City Council to meet Feb 17 to discuss city-owned broadband network

Winona, Goodhue, Wabasha and Dakota Counties
Hiawatha Broadband Communications to bring fiber to Southeast MN (Winona, Goodhue, Wabasha & Dakota Counties)

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

Office of Broadband Development Mar 1 2026: April Webinars, Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems)

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

April 2026 Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems)

Registration information below!

The Office of Broadband Development (OBD) has been working alongside other state agencies on streamlining and understanding environmental reviews and permitting efforts for broadband infrastructure projects across Minnesota. Originally held in 2024, this April, OBD and state agency partners will offer four new webinar sessions through a revised Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems).

These 2026 sessions will feature a combination of updates from previous presenters and new information from partner agencies with resources for broadband program grantees. Registration information for the 2026 webinar sessions and the materials from the 2024 series are also available on the OBD Webinars and Recorded Events webpage. Sessions will be recorded and shared.

Thursday April 2 at 10 a.m. | Department of Labor and Industry

Register for the DLI session on April 2

  • Sean O’Neil (Director of Licensing & Enforcement, Construction Codes and Licensing Division)
  • Don Sivigny (Supervisor/Education, Rules, Codes, and Grants, Construction Codes and Licensing Division)

Join the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) for an overview of DLI’s involvement with the Safety-Qualified Underground Telecommunications Installer Certification Program.

Thursday April 9 at 10 a.m. | Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC) and the Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA)

Register for the MIAC and OSA session on April 9

  • Lilly Geraghty (MIAC, Cultural Resource Manager)
  • Amanda Gronhovd (OSA, Minnesota State Archaeologist)

Updated informational session from the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC) and the Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) on their work with broadband infrastructure projects.

Thursday April 16 at 10 a.m. | Office of Pipeline Safety

Register for the Office of Pipeline Safety session April 16

  • Michael Mendiola (P.E. | Damage Prevention Manager)

Join the Office of Pipeline Safety for an introduction and insight into their work with underground utility damage prevention and their involvement with broadband program grantees.

Thursday April 23 at 10 a.m. | State Historic Preservation Office

Register for the SHPO session April 23

  • Lucy Harrington (Environmental Review Archaeologist)
  • Kelly Gragg-Johnson (Environmental Review Specialist)

In this final session, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will review processes and discuss updates, including how to submit archaeological survey reports as part of review.

Please email deed.broadband@state.mn.us with any questions or accessibility requests. 

New MN Bill introduced: A bill extending the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity HF3860

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I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:

From them MN House

Bahner, Elkins and Klevorn introduced:

H. F. 3860, A bill for an act relating to state government; extending the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.888, subdivision 7.

Sounds like a counterpart to a new MN Bill introduced: A bill extending the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity SF3863.