This Minnesota House bill establishes the Empowering Small Minnesota Communities Program, which is designed to assist small communities (those with populations under 15,000) with infrastructure project analysis and development. The program will be overseen by the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents and will prioritize support for political subdivisions and federally recognized Tribal governments that lack the capacity to apply for state or federal infrastructure grants.

The program's funding can be used for partnerships with various university-affiliated entities, such as the Center for Transportation Studies, the Minnesota Design Center, and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Assistance may include planning, scoping, analysis, predesign, and design of infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on sustainability, resiliency, and climate change adaptation.

The Board of Regents is required to maintain a public website with information about the program, including project summaries, financial details, and application guidelines for assistance.

The bill appropriates $2.5 million per year for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to support the program.