Bill > HB306

This bill amends the Public Utility Confidential Security Information Disclosure Protection Act to allow public utilities to share confidential security information with federal agencies, such as the National Transportation Safety Board, if the agency is investigating an incident of mass destruction and has reasonable grounds to believe a utility facility poses a safety risk, and if releasing the information would aid their investigation. This disclosure to federal agencies will not be considered a prohibited disclosure under the act, nor will it make the information a public record subject to inspection and duplication under the Right-to-Know Law. The bill also clarifies that public utilities must make records available to federal or state agencies if there's a belief a facility poses a safety risk, and that such disclosures to these governmental bodies will not be considered prohibited. Additionally, it modifies the prohibition on releasing confidential security information by changing "shall not" to "may not" for agencies, and creates an exception for construction, renovation, or remodeling work on public buildings or projects, provided the utility is notified and consulted. Penalties for violating the prohibition on disclosure are also updated, with a public official or employee who violates section 5(a) now committing a misdemeanor of the second degree, facing fines, imprisonment, and removal from office.