Bill > HB306

This bill amends the Public Utility Confidential Security Information Disclosure Protection Act to clarify definitions and expand exceptions for releasing sensitive information. It modifies the definition of "agency" to explicitly exclude public utilities and adds a definition for "Federal agency," which includes entities like the National Transportation and Safety Board and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The bill changes the prohibition on agencies releasing confidential security information from a mandatory "shall not" to a discretionary "may not," allowing for disclosure under specific circumstances. Importantly, it creates exceptions for releasing such information when necessary for construction, renovation, or remodeling of public buildings or projects, and also allows agencies to disclose this information to a Federal agency if that agency is investigating incidents of mass destruction and has reason to believe a public utility facility poses a safety risk. The bill also clarifies that these disclosures, when made under the new exceptions, do not make the information public records subject to inspection under the Right-to-Know Law, and agencies must notify the public utility after any disclosure. Finally, it adjusts the penalties for violating the prohibition, making a public official or employee who violates the general prohibition a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable by fines, imprisonment, and removal from office.