HR 7266 Passed in House – Utility Cybersecurity Grants

This afternoon, the House took up HR 7266, the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act, under the suspension of the rules. After about 10 minutes of debate, the House passed the bill on a voice vote. The bill modifies and continues the authorization for 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). No annual authorization amount was set by the bill. 

The bill now goes to the Senate where it will not be politically important enough to be considered under regular order. There is a chance that the bill could be approved under the unanimous consent process, particularly since no authorization amount has been established. Another route forward could be to include the bill’s language in the EWR spending bill. 

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.

Review – Bills Introduced – 1-27-26

Yesterday, with just the Senate in Washington and the House meeting in pro forma session, there were 64 bills introduced. Three of those bills will receive additional coverage here:

HR 7257 To amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require States to include supporting the physical security, cybersecurity, and resilience of local distribution systems in State energy security plans. Latta, Robert E. [Rep.-R-OH-5]

HR 7266 To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, and for other purposes. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [Rep.-R-IA-1]

HR 7272 To require the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program relating to physical security and cybersecurity for pipelines and liquefied natural gas facilities. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [Rep.-R-TX-14] 

 

For more information on these bills, including legislative history for similar bills in the 118^th Congress, as ell as a mention in passing of a bill to provide produce prescriptions to veterans, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/bills-introduced-1-27-26 - subscription required.