HR 5960 Introduced – SLTT Cybersecurity

Last week, Rep Neguse (D,CO) introduced HR 5960, the State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act of 2021. This bill is almost identical to the version of S 2520 recently reported in the Senate. It would codify existing outreach and support activities by CISA to support State, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

Differences from S 2520

With the exception of a couple of missing comas, the only difference between this bill and S 2520 is the addition of a run-on phrase (highlighted below) in the proposed subsection (p) for 6 USC 659. This version changes subparagraph (1)(G) to read:

“(G) provide operational and technical assistance to SLTT entities to implement tools, products, resources, policies, guidelines, controls, and standards and best practices and procedures on information security;”

Moving Forward

Neguse is not a member of the House Homeland Security Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there is unlikely to be adequate influence to see this bill considered in Committee. I see nothing in this bill that would engender any specific opposition. If it were considered in Committee, I would expect it to receive significant bipartisan support.

Bills Introduced – 11-12-21

Yesterday, with both the House and Senate meeting in pro forma session there were 26 bills introduced. Three of those bills may receive additional attention in this blog:

HR 5956 To amend the National Security Act of 1947 to require the National Security Council's membership to include the Secretary of Homeland Security. Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24]

HR 5960 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for engagements with State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, and for other purposes. Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

HR 5962 To manage supply chain risk through counterintelligence training, and for other purposes. Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

I will be following HR 5956.

I will be watching HR 5960 and HR 5962 for language and definitions that would specifically include cybersecurity, chemical security, or possibly transportation security within the coverage of the bill.