Review - HR 9022 Introduced – Innovative Vehicle Technologies

In September, Rep Stevens (D,MI) introduced HR 9022, the Shifting Forward Vehicle Technologies Research and Development Act. The bill would require DOE to “conduct a research, development, and demonstration program of advanced vehicle technologies on more efficient, sustainable, and domestically available materials and manufacturing processes” One of the research programs specifically addresses cybersecurity concerns. The bill authorizes $530 million in FY 2023, increasing each year by about 5% through 2027 for the seven research programs outline in the legislation.

Moving Forward

Stevens and one of her two cosponsors {Rep Johnson (D,TX)} are members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there may be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. There will be Republican objections to the amount of spending in the bill and the alternative energy provisions. The bill would probably pass in Committee, but there will be limited if any bipartisan support for the legislation. This means that the bill would not be able to be considered under the suspension of the rules process.

Commentary

There is an odd requirement missing from this legislation. In the federal agency coordination requirements outline in Section 13 of the bill, there is no mention of DHS, CISA, or the Science and Technology Directorate of DHS. Given the cybersecurity research program requirements outlined in §5, failure to include CISA or S&T is a major shortcoming. While §13(a)(2)(E) allows DOE to coordinate with “other Federal agencies as determined by the Secretary”, coordinating with CISA and S&T should be required. The easy way to do this would be by inserting a new (2)(E):

“(E) the Department of Homeland Security, and”

For more details about the provisions of the bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-9022-introduced - subscription required.

Bills Introduced – 9-28-22

Yesterday, with both the House and Senate in session, there were 82 bills introduced (the homestretch of campaign season is starting). Of those bills there is one that may receive additional coverage in this blog:

HR 9022 To support research, development, demonstration, and other activities to develop innovative vehicle technologies, and for other purposes. Stevens, Haley M. [Rep.-D-MI-11]

I will be watching this bill for definitions and language that includes cybersecurity requirements within the legislation’s scope.

Mentions in Passing

There are four bills that I will mention in passing. I noticed references to all four in the national news yesterday. Following the link on the bill number would allow you to set up tracking of the bill’s progress at Congress.gov if you were so interested.

HR 8891 To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a measurement-based national methane research pilot study to quantify methane emissions from certain oil and gas infrastructure, and for other purposes. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [Rep.-D-TX-30]

HR 8892 To require a Federal methane super-emitter detection strategy, and for other purposes. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [Rep.-D-VA-8]

HR 8893 To provide for methane emission detection and mitigation, and for other purposes. Casten, Sean [Rep.-D-IL-6]

S 4985 A bill to amend the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 to include voluntary information sharing of cyber threat indicators among cryptocurrency companies, and for other purposes. Blackburn, Marsha [Sen.-R-TN]