Bill > HB1421

This bill amends the Texas Election Code by adding Chapter 279, which aims to enhance the cybersecurity of election systems. Key provisions include: 1. The Secretary of State is required to adopt rules defining protected election data and establish best practices for securing the electronic use, storage, and transmission of election data and election systems. The Secretary must also provide annual cybersecurity training to personnel in the Secretary's office and offer training to county election officers upon request. 2. County election officers, such as elections administrators and county clerks, must annually request cybersecurity training from the Secretary of State, and the Secretary must pay for the training. County election officers must also request cybersecurity assessments of their election systems if recommended by the Secretary and funds are available. 3. If a cybersecurity breach impacting election data is discovered, the Secretary of State and county election officers must immediately notify the appropriate legislative committees and each other, respectively. 4. To the extent that state funds are available, county election officers must implement cybersecurity measures to ensure their election-related devices and systems comply with the Secretary of State's rules. The bill takes effect on September 1, 2019.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB1421