Bill Text: TX HB342 | 2017 | 85th Legislature 1st Special Session | Introduced

Texas House Bill 342 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to cybersecurity for voting systems.

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-07-31 - Left pending in committee [HB342 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB342-Introduced.html

	85S10633 SRS-F

	By: Reynolds	H.B. No. 342



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to cybersecurity for voting systems.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 276.011, Election Code, as added by
	Chapter 683 (H.B. 8), Acts of the 85th Legislature, Regular
	Session, 2017, as effective September 1, 2017, is amended by
	amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
	read as follows:
	(a) Not later than September [~~December~~] 1, 2018, the
	secretary of state shall:
	(1) conduct a study regarding cyber attacks on
	election infrastructure;
	(2) prepare a public summary report on the study's
	findings that does not contain any information the release of which
	may compromise any election;
	(3) prepare a confidential report on specific findings
	and vulnerabilities that is exempt from disclosure under Chapter
	552, Government Code; and
	(4) submit to the [~~standing committees of the~~]
	legislature [~~with jurisdiction over election procedures~~] a copy of
	the report required under Subdivision (2) and a general compilation
	of the report required under Subdivision (3) that does not contain
	any information the release of which may compromise any election.
	(b) The study must include:
	(1) an investigation of vulnerabilities and risks for
	a cyber attack against all voting systems, including a county's
	voting system machines, [or] the list of registered voters, or the
	administration of voting by mail;
	(2) information on any attempted cyber attack on all
	voting systems, including a county's voting system machines, [or]
	the list of registered voters, or the administration of voting by
	mail; and
	(3) recommendations for protecting all voting
	systems, including a county's voting system machines, the [~~and~~]
	list of registered voters, and the administration of voting by
	mail, from a cyber attack.
	(b-1) In conducting the study, the secretary of state shall
	consult with:
	(1) county election officials, including officials
	from any county targeted by a cyber attack;
	(2) local law enforcement officials, including county
	and district attorneys;
	(3) federal law enforcement officials, including
	officials from the United States Department of Homeland Security;
	and
	(4) experts in the field of cybersecurity risk and
	incident prevention.
	SECTION 2. Chapter 276, Election Code, is amended by adding
	Section 276.012 to read as follows:
	Sec. 276.012. REPORT OF CYBER ATTACK. A county clerk shall
	report any cyber attack or attempted cyber attack on a county's
	voting system to the secretary of state not later than 48 hours
	after the discovery of the attack or attempted attack. The
	secretary of state shall make available a record of the report of
	any cyber attack or attempted cyber attack to a member of the
	legislature.
	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 December 1, 2017.