Bill

SB 64

86(R) - 2019
Senate Business & Commerce
House State Affairs
Senate Business & Commerce
House State Affairs

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Jane Nelson

Sponsor(s)

Dade Phelan

Bill Caption

Relating to cybersecurity for information resources.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

During the 85th Legislature, the State established a select committee for the purposes of studying cybersecurity and the impact it has on the State. SB 64 seeks to address the concerns of the cybersecurity committee.

SB 64 would direct certain state agencies to implement cybersecurity measures including requiring the Higher Education Board to develop a way to incentivize higher education institutes to create cybersecurity degree programs, adding cybersecurity events to the list of what can be considered a disaster, requiring the retirement system to comply with cybersecurity and information security standards, establishing a way for state agencies, local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, and the private sector to share information regarding cybersecurity threats, and requiring certain reports, among other things. 

The bill would also require the establishment of a program to monitor cybersecurity efforts among utilities in this state.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action recommends remains neutral on SB 64 as it does not affect any of our liberty principles, although cybersecurity is important and this does appear to be sound public policy.