BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2340

By: Larson

Technology

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Technology is a driving force in society, creating new opportunities each day in fields ranging from economics to national defense. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing technology industries in the nation.   The cybersecurity industry presents a new field of economic growth that will prove vital for the future of Texas. 

H.B. 2340 creates the Cybersecurity, Education, and Economic Development Council to facilitate relationships between governmental agencies, businesses, and institutions of higher education with a goal of advancing cybersecurity initiatives while studying ways to improve the infrastructure of the state's cybersecurity operations.  This integration of public and private efforts will help to ensure that the state has the best workforce and experts to support the cybersecurity industry.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2340 amends the Government Code to establish the nine-member Cybersecurity, Education, and Economic Development Council and requires the council to conduct an interim study and make recommendations to the executive director of the Department of Information Resources (DIR) regarding improving the infrastructure of Texas' cybersecurity operations with existing resources and through partnerships between government, business, and institutions of higher education and examining specific actions to accelerate the growth of cybersecurity as an industry in Texas.  The bill establishes that the council is composed of nine members appointed by the executive director of the DIR as follows: one representative from the DIR; one representative from the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office in the office of the governor; two representatives from institutions of higher education with cybersecurity-related programs; one representative from a public junior college, as that term is defined in general provisions relating to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, with a cybersecurity-related program; one state military forces liaison experienced in the cybersecurity field; and three representatives from chamber of commerce organizations or businesses who have a cybersecurity background.  The bill requires the executive director of the DIR to appoint the members of the council not later than the 30th day after the effective date of the bill.  The bill requires the council to elect a presiding officer from among its members and specifies that a council member serves at the pleasure of the executive director without compensation or reimbursement of expenses.  The bill requires the council to meet at the call of the presiding officer at least quarterly and authorizes the council to request the assistance of state agencies, departments, or offices to carry out its duties. 

H.B. 2340 requires the council, not later than December 1, 2012, to submit a report based on its findings to the executive director of the DIR, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the higher education committees of the senate and house of representatives, the house of representatives committees on technology, economic development, and workforce, and the senate committee on economic development.  The bill sets its provisions to expire on September 1, 2013, and abolishes the council on that date.  The bill defines "council." 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.