84R8016 DDT-F
By: Parker H.B. No. 2289
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the security of the electric grid.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) The Electric Grid Security Advisory
Committee is created. The committee is composed of the following
members:
(1) two members appointed by the governor;
(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
and
(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives.
(b) The governor shall designate a member of the committee
to serve as presiding officer.
(c) The committee shall convene at the call of the presiding
officer.
(d) The committee shall study the Texas electric grid and
the computer systems and networks related to it. The study must:
(1) evaluate and summarize the current state of the
electric grid and associated computer systems and networks;
(2) consider potential security threats to the
electric grid and associated computer systems and networks;
(3) assess whether further efforts are needed to
secure the electric grid and associated computer systems and
networks against damage, including the threat of electromagnetic
pulse or other attacks and natural threats, including solar flares;
and
(4) recommend measures to secure the electric grid and
associated computer systems and networks against damage.
(e) The committee may share its findings with any state
agency it considers important to the security of the electric grid
or associated computer systems or networks. To the extent allowed
by law, a state agency with which the committee shares information
is encouraged to implement any recommendations that the agency
determines will improve the security of the state's electric grid
or associated computer systems or networks.
(f) ERCOT shall cooperate with the committee to provide any
information and resources the committee considers important to the
study.
(g) A member of the committee is not entitled to
compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for the member's
travel expenses as provided by Chapter 660, Government Code, and
the General Appropriations Act.
(h) A vacancy on the task force shall be filled for the
unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
(i) The committee is not subject to Chapter 2110, Government
Code.
(j) Not later than December 1, 2016, the committee shall
prepare a report of its findings, including any recommendations for
legislation resulting from the findings, and shall submit the
report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of
the house of representatives.
(k) The committee's work relates to sensitive matters of
security. Notwithstanding any other law, the meetings, work, and
findings of the committee are not subject to the requirements of
Chapter 551 or 552, Government Code.
(l) The committee is abolished and this section expires on
December 31, 2016.
SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.917 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.917. INFORMATION RELATED TO GRID SECURITY. The
independent organization certified under Section 39.151 shall
collect and compile information related to the security of the
electric grid. The information is confidential and is not subject
to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
SECTION 3. The governor, the lieutenant governor, and the
speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint members to
the Electric Grid Security Advisory Committee, as required by this
Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act,
but not later than the 120th day after the effective date of this
Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.