Texas House Bill HB2493

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to an advisory body on the security of the electric grid.

Impact

The establishment of the Security Council through HB 2493 signifies a proactive step towards bolstering the security measures within Texas' electric infrastructure. The council comprises key figures from state energy organizations and the governor's office, facilitating a direct line of communication between government and energy industry stakeholders. While there is no direct mention of funding requirements detailed in the bill, it does provide for travel reimbursements, indicating a structured approach to operationalizing the council's recommendations without imposing significant additional costs on the state budget.

Summary

House Bill 2493 aims to establish the Texas Electric Grid Security Council as an advisory body focused on enhancing the security of the electric grid against potential cyber and physical attacks. The legislative intent is to address the public interest in mitigating risks associated with the reliability of electric systems throughout Texas. This council is designed to coordinate best security practices in the electric industry, which encompasses generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. By creating this body, the bill seeks to unify the efforts related to grid security among various stakeholders in the energy sector.

Contention

The bill focuses on coordinating grid security efforts but does not directly address funding mechanisms or the authority to enforce security measures across the electric sector. This ambiguity may lead to discussions regarding the effectiveness of an advisory council that lacks regulatory powers. Critics might argue that while the intentions behind the bill appear sound, the reliance on voluntary compliance and best practices may not be sufficient to address the increasing sophistication of cyber threats facing critical infrastructure.