By: Hall, et al. S.B. No. 1398
(Parker, Phillips, Simpson, White of Bell, Schaefer)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas on
securing critical infrastructure from electromagnetic,
geomagnetic, terrorist, and cyber-attack threats.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "critical infrastructure"
means an electrical power generating facility, substation,
switching station, electrical control center, or electrical
transmission or distribution facility.
(b) The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall instruct
the independent organization certified under Section 39.151,
Utilities Code, to commission a study on the security of the Texas
electric grid and the computer systems and networks related to it.
On or before September 1, 2015, the independent organization must
name persons to conduct the study who have expertise in:
(1) electromagnetic pulse disturbances;
(2) cybersecurity;
(3) geomagnetic disturbances;
(4) electric power transmission and distribution
system security; and
(5) terrorism.
(c) Through the study the independent organization must:
(1) identify the critical infrastructure that is at
risk from electromagnetic, geomagnetic, terrorist, and
cyber-attack threats;
(2) evaluate technologies available to improve the
resiliency of critical infrastructure against electromagnetic,
geomagnetic, terrorist, or cyber-attack threats;
(3) evaluate measures to secure the electric grid and
associated computer systems and networks against damage against
electromagnetic, geomagnetic, terrorist, and cyber-attack threats;
and
(4) assess the projected cost of enhancements to
critical infrastructure that are necessary to secure adequately
against electromagnetic, geomagnetic, terrorist, and cyber-attack
threats.
(d) Information collected by the independent organization
for the study that is related to the security of the electric grid
is confidential and is not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
Government Code.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2016, the Public
Utility Commission of Texas shall provide a report on the results of
the study required by this Act to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each
standing committee of the senate and the house of representatives
with primary jurisdiction over the electric grid and emergency
management.
SECTION 3. 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.