86R9446 ADM-D
By: Israel H.B. No. 1421
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to cybersecurity of voter registration lists and other
election-related documents, systems, and technology.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 16, Election Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 279 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 279. CYBERSECURITY OF ELECTION SYSTEMS
Sec. 279.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "election data"
means voter registration information and other election-related
documents, systems, and technology.
Sec. 279.002. ELECTION CYBERSECURITY: SECRETARY OF STATE.
(a) The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing best
practices for the electronic storage and security of election data.
(b) The secretary of state shall offer training on best
practices:
(1) on an annual basis, to all appropriate personnel
in the secretary of state's office; and
(2) on request, to county election officers in this
state.
(c) If the secretary of state becomes aware of a breach of
cybersecurity that impacts election data, the secretary shall
immediately notify the members of the standing committees of each
house of the legislature with jurisdiction over elections.
Sec. 279.003. ELECTION CYBERSECURITY: VOTER REGISTRARS AND
COUNTY CLERKS. (a) A voter registrar or county clerk shall
request training on cybersecurity:
(1) from the secretary of state; and
(2) on an annual basis from another provider of
cybersecurity training, if the registrar or clerk has available
state funds for that purpose.
(b) If a voter registrar or county clerk becomes aware of a
breach of cybersecurity that impacts election data, the registrar
or clerk shall immediately notify the secretary of state.
(c) To the extent that state funds are available for the
purpose, a voter registrar or county clerk shall implement endpoint
security to ensure that all devices with access to election data
comply to the highest extent possible with rules adopted by the
secretary of state under Section 279.002.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.