BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 350

By: Blanco

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that although the Texas Cybersecurity Council is tasked with developing strategies to improve the state's cybersecurity posture, the council lacks a representative to speak for the state's election systems. This has been cause for concern because these systems are critical infrastructure that have reportedly been the target of cyberattacks in recent years. H.B. 350 seeks to help improve election security by adding to the council a member who is an employee of the elections division of the secretary of state's office.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 350 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Cybersecurity Council to include one member who is an employee of the elections division of the secretary of state's office.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.