Legislation introduced by representatives from the House Committee on Homeland Security would authorize a new grant program at DHS to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities on state and local government networks.

Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) introduced the State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act (H.R. 5823) that:

• Establishes a $400 million DHS grant program that incentivizes States to increase their own cybersecurity funding.
• Requires DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) develop a strategy to improve the cybersecurity of State, local, tribal, and territorial governments.
• Requires State, local, tribal, and territorial governments develop comprehensive Cybersecurity Plans to guide use of grant dollars.
• Establishes a State and Local Cybersecurity Resiliency Committee so State, local, tribal, and territorial governments can advise CISA on their cybersecurity needs.

“As we saw in Central New York with recent attacks on the City of Syracuse School District and the Onondaga County Public Library System, ransomware attacks on state and local governments continue to increase nationwide, leaving municipalities vulnerable and facing massive costs,” said Congressman Katko, Ranking Member of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, & Innovation Subcommittee. “That’s why, as the Ranking Member on the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection & Innovation, I am proud to join members on both sides of the aisle in introducing bipartisan legislation to provide state and local officials with the necessary funds and guidance to allow them to be prepared for, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks.”

“This past summer, my home state of Texas experienced one of the largest ransomware attacks, which impacted more than 20 state and local government entities,” added Congressman McCaul. “We must ensure that when the next attack comes, our state and local governments have the tools to protect themselves against malicious hackers. I will continue to support bipartisan legislation that will bolster our cyber-infrastructure against our foreign advisories.”