What are Law Makers saying about Cybersecurity?

​

Bipartisan lawmakers introduce bill to combat cyberattacks on state and local governments in an effort to regulate the U.S. Election Security system. (News Article by THE HILL on Bipartisan new bill)

 

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in February introduced a bill that would establish a $400 million grant program at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to help state and local governments combat cyber threats and potential vulnerabilities.  The group noted that state and local governments have become targets for hackers, having seen an uptick in attacks in recent years.  H.R.4217 - State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act

​

The bill is pending as it was referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation on September 6, 2019 by an action of the House Committee on Homeland Security on August 30, 2019 after it was introduced to the House of Representatives on the same day.

 

Meanwhile, the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will provide grants to the States in excess of $400 million for Election Assistance & Security.  https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-security-preparedness

​

Guidance for the use of these funds are found here: https://www.eac.gov/election-officials

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Additionally, the CARES Act, a response to the COVID-19 outbreak, will distribute $150 billion among states, localities, tribal governments and territories proportional to population. https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/how-will-states-and-localities-divide-the-fiscal-relief-in-the

​

Technology and Security can be part of state & local government grant requests, since there is a need to conduct remote work or telework by millions of citizens due to “Stay Safe, Stay at Home” Executive Orders by governors, county judges and city mayors.

​

Texas will receive the funding below:

• Est. Total Distribution to State: $11.2B

• Est. Distribution to Local Gov.: $320M (Estimated distribution to local governments with over 500,000 people)

• Est. % Going to Local Gov.: 2.85%

 

There are many other Federal Grants for the SLED Markets listed below where technology & security can be included in the grant requests:

 

DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE (DLT), AND BROADBAND PROGRAM — $25 MILLION

• The DLT grant program supports rural communities’ access to telecommunications, audio and video equipment, as well as related advanced technologies for students, teachers and medical professionals.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION — $1.5 BILLION

• Economic development grants for states and communities suffering economically as a result of COVID-19.

 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GRANTS, BYRNE JAG: $850 MILLION

• Funding to assist state, local, and tribal officers in responding to coronavirus. These funds will go directly to state and local governments and their law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. This is a broad-based use grant and can be used to fund equipment, cars, technology or other-related needs.

​

​

​

​

Additional Sources and Recent Updates:

​

Bipartisan House Proposes $50M for Election Security

​

​

​