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)  the Texas Reliability Entity;
	(6)  federal and state agencies;
	(7)  members of the electric industry; and
	(8)  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 educational programs or
	marketing materials to promote the development of a grid security
	workforce;
	(2)  the development of grid security best 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 or highly
	sensitive, company-specific 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 of the council and information obtained or
	created by the council are not subject to the requirements of
	Chapter 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.