BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2066

By: Dominguez

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Disaster Act of 1975 provides emergency management systems for certain events that threaten the loss of life and property across the state. However, there are concerns that the act does not adequately address cybersecurity attacks. With technological advancements occurring more frequently, the need is larger than ever to provide a contingency plan that will ensure an orderly restoration in response to any cybersecurity threat to the state's internal cybersecurity network. H.B. 2066 seeks to address the issue of cybersecurity vulnerability by expanding emergency management systems to include preparedness for cybersecurity events that threaten the state.

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. 2066 amends the Government Code to include reducing vulnerability of people and communities of Texas to cybersecurity events among the purposes of the Texas Disaster Act of 1975. The bill authorizes the governor to order the Department of Information Resources to disconnect a computer network from the Internet in the event of a cybersecurity event.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.