Small businesses negatively impacted by federal enforcement activity relief program establishment and appropriation

This Minnesota bill creates a relief program to help small businesses that suffered significant financial losses between July 2025 and February 2026 due to federal enforcement actions. The program provides up to $100 million in grants to operators of indoor retail or food market spaces that host at least 25 small tenant businesses with a cultural focus. Eligible businesses must be Minnesota-based, have fewer than 50 employees, and show at least a 20 percent decline in revenue or sales during the specified period. Grant funds can be used for payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, security upgrades, and working capital, with at least 50 percent of operator grants required to be passed directly to tenants as rent forgiveness. The bill requires grants to be distributed through a lottery system by late 2026 and mandates a report by December 2026 detailing how the funds were used and their economic impact.