Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act
Sponsored By: Senator McCormick, David [R-PA]
Introduced
Summary
Targeted cybersecurity grants for rural and municipal electric utilities would create a federal program to fund advanced cybersecurity tools and technical help for small and public utilities to defend against cyber threats.
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- Rural electric cooperatives, municipally owned utilities, public power authorities, certain nonprofit partnerships, and small investor-owned utilities (those selling under 4.0 million megawatt-hours per year) would be eligible for competitive or noncompetitive grants and technical assistance.
- The measure would prioritize entities with limited cybersecurity resources and owners of bulk-power system assets or defense-critical electric infrastructure when awarding funding and help.
- Information shared with the government or state, Tribal, or local governments under the program would be treated as voluntarily shared and exempt from FOIA and comparable open records laws, shielding sensitive cyber threat data.
*Would authorize $250 million in appropriations for fiscal years 2027–2031 to support the program.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Cyber help for local utilities
If enacted, this would create the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program. The Secretary would provide technical help and award funding to eligible rural and municipal electric utilities and qualifying partners. Eligible entities include rural electric cooperatives, municipally owned utilities, certain not-for-profit partnerships, and investor-owned utilities that sell less than 4,000,000 MWh per year. The program would prioritize utilities with limited cybersecurity resources and those owning bulk‑power or defense‑critical assets. Information shared under the program with federal, State, Tribal, or local governments would be treated as voluntarily shared and exempt from FOIA and similar state or local disclosure laws.
Authorizes $250 million for utilities
If enacted, this would authorize $250 million to carry out the cybersecurity program for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The bill would allow funds to be used as grants, cooperative agreements, or prizes. Actual spending would depend on later appropriations and the Secretary's award decisions.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McCormick, David [R-PA]
PA • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 8/7/2026
Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 8/7/2026
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 8/7/2026
Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]
ND • R
Sponsored 8/7/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov