Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act

This legislation reauthorizes and significantly amends the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program's primary goal is to provide crucial financial assistance, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes , along with technical support, to eligible electric utilities. These eligible entities encompass rural electric cooperatives, municipally owned electric utilities , certain investor-owned utilities, and specific not-for-profit partnerships, all aimed at bolstering their cybersecurity capabilities. The program's core objectives are to facilitate the deployment of advanced cybersecurity technologies for electric utility systems and to increase participation in cybersecurity threat information sharing programs. Priority for funding and technical assistance will be given to entities with limited cybersecurity resources, those owning assets critical to the bulk-power system, or those operating defense critical electric infrastructure. Furthermore, information shared under this program is protected from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and similar state laws, and it authorizes $250,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.