Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 7266
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7266Rural conditions and developmentState and local government operations
Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act
INTRO JAN 27· LAST ACTION FEB 4
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
2BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it directly addresses the growing threat of cyberattacks on our nation's critical infrastructure, specifically targeting the power grid. Many smaller, local utilities, especially in rural areas, often lack the financial resources and technical expertise to defend against sophisticated cyber threats as effectively as larger utilities. If one of these smaller utilities were successfully attacked, it could lead to widespread power outages, impacting homes, businesses, and essential services.
By reauthorizing and funding this program, the bill aims to prevent such disruptions by equipping these vulnerable utilities with the necessary tools and knowledge to protect themselves. If this bill becomes law, it means continued federal support for securing a vital part of our national infrastructure. If it doesn't pass, many smaller utilities might struggle to keep up with evolving cyber threats, potentially leaving communities more exposed to disruptions in their power supply and making the overall grid less resilient.
KEY PROVISIONS
6AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Reauthorizes the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program.
This continues a vital federal program that provides funding and expert assistance to smaller electric utilities for cybersecurity improvements.
PROVISION 02
Defines "eligible entities" to include rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and investor-owned utilities selling less than 4 million megawatt hours of electricity per year.
This clearly identifies which specific types of smaller power providers are eligible to receive federal cybersecurity support.
PROVISION 03
Establishes program objectives to deploy advanced cybersecurity technologies and increase participation in threat information sharing.
These objectives aim to enhance the technical defenses of utilities and improve their ability to collectively respond to threats by sharing intelligence.
PROVISION 04
Gives priority for funding and technical assistance to eligible entities with limited cybersecurity resources, or those owning critical bulk-power system assets or defense critical electric infrastructure.
This ensures that federal aid is directed to the most vulnerable utilities and those managing the most crucial parts of the electric grid.
PROVISION 05
Protects cybersecurity information shared under the program from public disclosure laws like the Freedom of Information Act.
This provision encourages utilities to share sensitive threat information without fear of it being publicly exposed, which is crucial for collective defense.
PROVISION 06
Authorizes $250,000,000 for the program for the fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
This allocates a significant amount of federal funding to support cybersecurity enhancements for eligible utilities over a five-year period.
This bill matters because it directly addresses the growing threat of cyberattacks on our nation's critical infrastructure, specifically targeting the power grid. Many smaller, local utilities, especially in rural areas, often lack the financial resources and technical expertise to defend against sophisticated cyber threats as effectively as larger utilities. If one of these smaller utilities were successfully attacked, it could lead to widespread power outages, impacting homes, businesses, and essential services.
By reauthorizing and funding this program, the bill aims to prevent such disruptions by equipping these vulnerable utilities with the necessary tools and knowledge to protect themselves. If this bill becomes law, it means continued federal support for securing a vital part of our national infrastructure. If it doesn't pass, many smaller utilities might struggle to keep up with evolving cyber threats, potentially leaving communities more exposed to disruptions in their power supply and making the overall grid less resilient.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Reauthorizes the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program.
This continues a vital federal program that provides funding and expert assistance to smaller electric utilities for cybersecurity improvements.
med
Defines "eligible entities" to include rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and investor-owned utilities selling less than 4 million megawatt hours of electricity per year.
This clearly identifies which specific types of smaller power providers are eligible to receive federal cybersecurity support.
high
Establishes program objectives to deploy advanced cybersecurity technologies and increase participation in threat information sharing.
These objectives aim to enhance the technical defenses of utilities and improve their ability to collectively respond to threats by sharing intelligence.
high
Gives priority for funding and technical assistance to eligible entities with limited cybersecurity resources, or those owning critical bulk-power system assets or defense critical electric infrastructure.
This ensures that federal aid is directed to the most vulnerable utilities and those managing the most crucial parts of the electric grid.
med
Protects cybersecurity information shared under the program from public disclosure laws like the Freedom of Information Act.
This provision encourages utilities to share sensitive threat information without fear of it being publicly exposed, which is crucial for collective defense.
high
Authorizes $250,000,000 for the program for the fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
This allocates a significant amount of federal funding to support cybersecurity enhancements for eligible utilities over a five-year period.
A major federal law passed in 2021 that allocates significant funding for improvements to the nation's infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public transit, and utilities.
