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To secure communications of utilities from terrorist threats, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-940| House 
| Updated: 2/24/2017
Sheila Jackson Lee

Sheila Jackson Lee

Democratic Representative

Texas

Homeland Security Committee, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Securing Communications of Utilities from Terrorist Threats or the SCOUTS Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work with critical infrastructure owners and operators and state, local, tribal, and territorial entities to seek voluntary participation of sector-specific agencies to determine how DHS can best serve cybersecurity needs to manage risk and strengthen the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks. A "sector-specific agency" is a federal agency designated as such by Presidential Policy Directive 21 relating to critical infrastructure security and resilience. DHS: (1) shall seek to reduce vulnerabilities, minimize consequences, identify and disrupt terrorism threats, and hasten response and recovery efforts related to impacted critical infrastructures; (2) may investigate the best means for engaging sector-specific agencies in a voluntary cybersecurity information sharing, emergency support, and emerging threat awareness program; and (3) shall establish voluntary opportunities for such agencies and critical infrastructure owners and operators to inform DHS of sector-specific challenges to cybersecurity. DHS shall: (1) establish terrorism prevention policy to engage with international partners to strengthen the security and resilience of domestic critical infrastructure and critical infrastructure located outside of the United States or in its territorial waters, and (2) facilitate the timely exchange of terrorism threat and vulnerability information as well as information that allows for the development of a situational awareness capability for federal civilian agencies during terrorist incidents. DHS shall implement an integration and analysis function for critical infrastructure that includes: (1) operational and strategic analysis on terrorism incidents, threats, and emerging risks; and (2) integration of data sharing capabilities with Fusion Centers.
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Timeline
Feb 7, 2017
Introduced in House
Feb 7, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Feb 24, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.
Feb 24, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
  • February 7, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • February 7, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.


  • February 24, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.


  • February 24, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.

Emergency Management

Computer security and identity theftCongressional oversightCrimes against propertyElectric power generation and transmissionEmergency communications systemsEmergency planning and evacuationGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsInfrastructure developmentInternational organizations and cooperationLaw enforcement administration and fundingPublic utilities and utility ratesTelephone and wireless communicationTerrorism

To secure communications of utilities from terrorist threats, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressHR-940| House 
| Updated: 2/24/2017
Securing Communications of Utilities from Terrorist Threats or the SCOUTS Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work with critical infrastructure owners and operators and state, local, tribal, and territorial entities to seek voluntary participation of sector-specific agencies to determine how DHS can best serve cybersecurity needs to manage risk and strengthen the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks. A "sector-specific agency" is a federal agency designated as such by Presidential Policy Directive 21 relating to critical infrastructure security and resilience. DHS: (1) shall seek to reduce vulnerabilities, minimize consequences, identify and disrupt terrorism threats, and hasten response and recovery efforts related to impacted critical infrastructures; (2) may investigate the best means for engaging sector-specific agencies in a voluntary cybersecurity information sharing, emergency support, and emerging threat awareness program; and (3) shall establish voluntary opportunities for such agencies and critical infrastructure owners and operators to inform DHS of sector-specific challenges to cybersecurity. DHS shall: (1) establish terrorism prevention policy to engage with international partners to strengthen the security and resilience of domestic critical infrastructure and critical infrastructure located outside of the United States or in its territorial waters, and (2) facilitate the timely exchange of terrorism threat and vulnerability information as well as information that allows for the development of a situational awareness capability for federal civilian agencies during terrorist incidents. DHS shall implement an integration and analysis function for critical infrastructure that includes: (1) operational and strategic analysis on terrorism incidents, threats, and emerging risks; and (2) integration of data sharing capabilities with Fusion Centers.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 7, 2017
Introduced in House
Feb 7, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Feb 24, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.
Feb 24, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
  • February 7, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • February 7, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.


  • February 24, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.


  • February 24, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Sheila Jackson Lee

Sheila Jackson Lee

Democratic Representative

Texas

Homeland Security Committee, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee

Emergency Management

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Computer security and identity theftCongressional oversightCrimes against propertyElectric power generation and transmissionEmergency communications systemsEmergency planning and evacuationGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsInfrastructure developmentInternational organizations and cooperationLaw enforcement administration and fundingPublic utilities and utility ratesTelephone and wireless communicationTerrorism