86R3648 BRG-F
By: Hancock S.B. No. 475
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an advisory body on the security of the electric grid.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.917 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.917. TEXAS ELECTRIC GRID SECURITY COUNCIL. (a) The
legislature finds that there is a public interest in mitigating the
risk of cyber and physical attacks that may affect the reliability
of electric systems operating in Texas. The Texas Electric Grid
Security Council is established as an advisory body to facilitate
the creation, aggregation, coordination, and dissemination of best
security practices for the electric industry, including the
generation, transmission, and delivery of electricity.
(b) The Texas Electric Grid Security Council is composed of:
(1) the commissioner designated as presiding officer
of the commission under Section 12.052 or a representative
designated by the commissioner;
(2) the chief executive officer of the independent
organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power
region or a representative designated by the chief executive
officer; and
(3) the governor or a representative designated by the
governor.
(c) The member of the council designated by Subsection
(b)(1) shall serve as presiding officer.
(d) The council shall convene at the call of the presiding
officer.
(e) A member of the council is not entitled to compensation.
Members are entitled to reimbursement for travel and other
necessary expenses related to the activities of the council as
provided by the General Appropriations Act.
(f) A member of the council may apply for a secret security
clearance or an interim security clearance granted by the United
States government. A member of the council may not access
classified information or participate in a briefing or meeting
involving classified information unless the member has a secret
security clearance.
(g) The independent organization certified under Section
39.151 shall provide information and resources requested by the
council.
(h) In carrying out its functions, the council may consult
and coordinate with:
(1) the Texas Division of Emergency Management;
(2) the United States Department of Energy;
(3) the United States Department of Homeland Security;
(4) the North American Electric Reliability
Corporation;
(5) federal and state agencies;
(6) members of the electric industry; and
(7) grid security experts.
(i) On a request by the governor, the lieutenant governor,
the chair of the house of representatives committee having
jurisdiction over energy utility regulation, or the chair of the
senate committee having jurisdiction over energy utility
regulation, the council shall issue to the requestor
recommendations regarding:
(1) the development of a grid security workforce;
(2) the development and implementation of grid
security standards and practices;
(3) preparation for events that threaten grid
security; and
(4) amendments to the state emergency management plan
to ensure coordinated and adaptable response and recovery efforts
after events that threaten grid security.
(j) The council may prepare a report outlining grid security
response efforts that do not involve classified information. If the
council prepares the report, the council shall deliver the report
to the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature on or before
the December 1 immediately preceding a regular session of the
legislature.
(k) The meetings, recommendations, work, and findings of
the council are not subject to the requirements of Chapters 551 or
552, Government Code.
SECTION 2. 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, 2019.