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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas on |
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securing critical infrastructure from electromagnetic, |
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geomagnetic, terrorist, and cyber-attack threats. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "critical infrastructure" |
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means an electrical power generating facility, substation, |
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switching station, electrical control center, or electrical |
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transmission or distribution facility. |
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(b) The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall instruct |
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the independent organization certified under Section 39.151, |
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Utilities Code, to commission a study on the security of the Texas |
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electric grid and the computer systems and networks related to it. |
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On or before September 1, 2015, the independent organization must |
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name persons to conduct the study who have expertise in: |
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(1) electromagnetic pulse disturbances; |
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(2) cybersecurity; |
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(3) geomagnetic disturbances; |
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(4) electric power transmission and distribution |
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system security; and |
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(5) terrorism. |
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(c) Through the study the independent organization must: |
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(1) identify the critical infrastructure that is at |
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risk from electromagnetic, geomagnetic, terrorist, and |
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cyber-attack threats; |
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(2) evaluate technologies available to improve the |
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resiliency of critical infrastructure against electromagnetic, |
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geomagnetic, terrorist, or cyber-attack threats; |
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(3) evaluate measures to secure the electric grid and |
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associated computer systems and networks against damage against |
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electromagnetic, geomagnetic, terrorist, and cyber-attack threats; |
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and |
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(4) assess the projected cost of enhancements to |
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critical infrastructure that are necessary to secure adequately |
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against electromagnetic, geomagnetic, terrorist, and cyber-attack |
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threats. |
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(d) Information collected by the independent organization |
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for the study that is related to the security of the electric grid |
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is confidential and is not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, |
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Government Code. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2016, the Public |
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Utility Commission of Texas shall provide a report on the results of |
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the study required by this Act to the governor, the lieutenant |
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governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each |
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standing committee of the senate and the house of representatives |
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with primary jurisdiction over the electric grid and emergency |
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management. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |