Review - HR 7266 Introduced – Utility Cybersecurity Grants

Last month Rep Miller-Meeks (R,IA) introduced HR 7266, the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act. The bill would rewrite 42 USC 18723, the Rural and municipal utility advanced cybersecurity grant and technical assistance program, to update and reauthorize that program. The existing $250 million annual authorization for the program would be extended through 2030.

The existing Rural And Municipal Utility Advances Cybersecurity Grant And Technical Assistance Program was authorized in 2021 by §40124 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (PL 117-58, 135 STAT 953). There is no sunset provision in this statute, but the spending authorization is only included through FY 2026.

Moving Forward  

Miller-Meeks, and her two cosponsors, are all members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there may be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. I see nothing in the bill that would engender any organized opposition. I suspect that there would be significant bipartisan support for this bill, which should allow for it to be considered by the full House under the suspension of the rules process. That would mean limited debate, no floor amendments, and it would require a super majority for passage.

 

For more details about the provisions of the bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-7266-introduced-utility-cybersecurity - subscription required.