Bill Text: TX HB2289 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Bill 2289 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to the security of the electric grid.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 3)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-05-08 - Reported favorably as substituted [HB2289 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB2289-Introduced.html

	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.