(The Center Square) – A bill expanding Texas’ cybercrime capabilities and to counter espionage threats has passed the legislature, which Gov. Greg Abbott says he will immediately sign into law.
The legislature passed HB 150, filed by state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Keller, which creates the Texas Cyber Command based in San Antonio. It was an emergency item Abbott identified in his state of the state address in February, The Center Square reported.
Abbott praised its passage, saying, “As cyberattacks increase in significance and sophistication across the globe, it is critical that Texas utilize cutting-edge capabilities to secure our state.
“The creation of the Texas Cyber Command has never been more critical. Threats from China, Iran, Russia, and other foreign enemies are growing. President Donald Trump empowered states to more effectively prepare for cyberattacks and defend our infrastructure, and Texas is ready to harness our assets to protect our power, water, and communications.”
Abbott plans to sign the measure Monday at the National Security Collaboration Center in San Antonio.
The bill establishes the Texas Cyber Command, tasked with executing and enhancing existing cybersecurity responsibilities performed by the Department of Information Resources, and improve operational functions of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Center, Critical Incident Response Unit, and Forensics Laboratory, coordinating with the cybersecurity ecosystem of the San Antonio region, according to the bill language.
The bill authorizes the governor to appoint a new head of command; authorizes the hiring of staff; creating best practices; promoting public awareness of cybersecurity issues; providing support to state agencies; administering a digital forensics laboratory; administering a statewide portal for enterprise cybersecurity threat, risk, and incident management; operate a cybersecurity hotline for state agencies; collaborating with law enforcement agencies to provide training; among other measures.
By signing the bill into law, Abbott said, “Texas will safeguard its critical infrastructure to protect Texans and Americans from hostile foreign actors and hackers.”
The bill was filed after Abbott last year issued five directives to Texas state agencies to protect Texans from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
His first directive instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety officers to investigate and arrest alleged CCP and PRC operatives targeting Texans of Chinese descent. His second directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Public Utility Commission of Texas to prepare for potential threats against Texas’ critical infrastructure from a hostile foreign government or proxies, including the CCP and PRC.
“China has made it clear that they can – and will – target and attack America’s critical infrastructure,” Abbott said, pointing to “a hostile Chinese government actor [that] targeted America’s communications, energy, transportation, water, and wastewater systems, threatening our national security. Texas will continue to protect our critical infrastructure to ensure the safety of Texans from potential threats by the Chinese Communist Party or any hostile foreign government.”
Abbott’s third directive ordered state agencies to divest from investments originating from China. His fourth directive ordered all state agencies and higher education public institutions to harden their systems and safeguard “critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and personal information from being accessed by hostile foreign nations that attempt to infiltrate Texas,” including the PRC and CCP.
“Our No. 1 priority is to protect Texans, including from espionage threats from the Chinese Communist Party and its proxies,” Abbott said. “The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that the Chinese government has actively targeted local and state officials as part of their strategy to undermine the national security of the United States. Hardening our state government is critical to protect Texans from hostile foreign actors who may attempt to undermine the safety and security of Texas and the nation. With this Executive Order, Texas will safeguard our critical infrastructure and information from threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party.”
Foreign adversaries identified in his fourth order include the PRC, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Russia and Venezuela, whose leaders have “engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of United States persons.”
In his fifth directive, Abbott banned the use of artificial intelligence and social media apps affiliated with the PRC and CCP on government-issued devices, The Center Square reported.
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