BILL ANALYSIS
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Technology is the driving force in our society. It creates new opportunities every day in fields ranging from economics to national defense. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing industries in the nation. The cybersecurity industry presents a new field of economic growth that will be essential in the future. Researching new opportunities in cybersecurity will prove vital for the future of this state.
S.B. 988 will create the Cybersecurity, Education, and Economic Development Council (council), with members from governmental agencies, businesses, and institutions of higher education. The council will facilitate relationships between these entities in an effort to advance cybersecurity initiatives, while providing research for the improvement of the cybersecurity infrastructure of the state.
As proposed, S.B. 988 amends current law relating to the creation of a cybersecurity, education, and economic development council.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 2054, Government Code, by adding Subchapter N, as follows:
SUBCHAPTER N. CYBERSECURITY, EDUCATION,
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Sec. 2054.501. DEFINITION. Defines, in this subchapter, "council."
Sec. 2054.502. CYBERSECURITY, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL; COMPOSITION. (a) Establishes the Cybersecurity, Education, and Economic Development Council (council).
(b) Provides that the council is composed of nine members appointed by the executive director of the Department of Information Resources (executive director). Requires that the members include:
(1) one representative from the Department of Information Resources;
(2) one representative from the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office in the office of the governor;
(3) two representatives from institutions of higher education with cybersecurity-related programs;
(4) one representative from a public junior college, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, with a cybersecurity-related program;
(5) one state military forces liaison experienced in the cybersecurity field; and
(6) three representatives from chamber of commerce organizations or businesses who have a cybersecurity background.
(c) Requires the council to elect a presiding officer from among its members.
(d) Provides that a council member serves at the pleasure of the executive director.
Sec. 2054.503. COMPENSATION. Provides that a council member serves without compensation or reimbursement of expenses.
Sec. 2054.504. COUNCIL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) Requires the council to:
(1) at least quarterly, meet at the call of the presiding officer; and
(2) conduct an interim study and make recommendations to the executive director regarding:
(A) improving the infrastructure of this state's cybersecurity operations with existing resources and through partnerships between government, business, and institutions of higher education; and
(B) examining specific actions to accelerate the growth of cybersecurity as an industry in this state.
(b) Authorizes the council to request the assistance of state agencies, departments, or offices to carry out its duties.
Sec. 2054.505. REPORT. Requires the council, not later than December 1, 2012, to submit a report based on its findings to the executive director; 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 committee on technology, economic development, and workforce; and the senate committee on economic development.
Sec. 2054.506. EXPIRATION OF SUBCHAPTER. Provides that this subchapter expires and the council is abolished September 1, 2013.
SECTION 2. Requires the executive director, not later than the 30th day after the effective date of this Act, to appoint the members of the council as established by Subchapter N, Chapter 2054, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2011.