Review - HR 302 Introduced – Energy Cybersecurity Research

Last month, Rep Ross (D,NC) introduced HR 302, the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2022. After finding that integrating “cybersecurity considerations into the research, design, and development of energy infrastructure represents a cost-effective approach to enhancing the security, resilience, and reliability”, this bill would require DOE to establish an “Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program”. No money is authorized by this bill for the program.

Moving Forward

The House is scheduled to consider HR 302 on Monday under the suspension of the rules process. That process provides for limited debate, allows for no floor amendments, and requires a super-majority for passage. Scheduling a bill for consideration under this procedure indicates that the leadership expects the bill to receive substantial bipartisan support.

Commentary

This bill does not authorize any funding for the Leadership Program. Historically, this has been a fairly common practice for relatively low-cost programs. Funding typically comes from the ‘fat’ in the appropriations bill. Under the 118^th Congress, however, this may pose a problem. The new House Rules adopted last month allows anyone to raise a point of order against any money in a spending bill that is allocated to a program in excess of the amount specifically authorized by legislation. Whether this program would draw someone’s congressional ire come appropriations time is hard to predict.

 

For more details about the provisions of this bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-302-introduced - subscription required.