Bill > SB2368

This bill strengthens regulations and administrative penalties related to critical infrastructure and the electricity market in Texas. The legislation primarily focuses on enhancing oversight of businesses participating in the electricity market, particularly those with potential foreign entity connections. Specifically, the bill empowers the Public Utility Commission of Texas to impose administrative penalties up to $1 million for violations involving agreements that grant companies access to or control of critical electric grid equipment. The bill requires independent organizations that manage electricity markets to conduct more rigorous background checks on potential employees, including obtaining criminal history records and requiring attestations about travel to certain countries and relationships with foreign governmental entities. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that allow these organizations to suspend or terminate a business entity's market participant registration if there are reasonable suspicions about the entity's affiliations. The legislation also establishes confidentiality protections for enforcement-related information and applies to various types of electric utilities, including municipal and cooperative utilities. The bill aims to protect critical infrastructure by increasing scrutiny of potential security risks and providing mechanisms for preventing unauthorized access or control of electric grid systems.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB2368