Bill > SB1686

This bill requires the Texas Cybersecurity Council to conduct a comprehensive study on cybersecurity challenges faced by school districts, with the goal of improving their digital protection and managing rising cybersecurity costs. The council is directed to investigate current best practices for cybersecurity controls, identify barriers to purchasing cybersecurity products, assess resource availability for responding to cyber incidents, analyze the impact of past cybersecurity events, and explore emerging technological risks. The council may collaborate with nonprofit organizations or higher education institutions to conduct this study. By September 1, 2026, the council must submit a detailed report to state leadership, including the amount school districts are spending on cybersecurity insurance and recommendations for best practices to update and protect information systems while addressing increasing cybersecurity expenses. The bill is set to expire on September 1, 2027, and will take effect either immediately with a two-thirds legislative vote or on September 1, 2025, if immediate approval is not achieved.