LOC News
February 22 Public Hearing Set for Cybersecurity Bill
HB 2049 is scheduled for its first public hearing on February 22 in the Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology. The LOC has created a one-pager for the bill and is actively collecting logos in support. If your city would like to support HB 2049, please send your logos to the LOC by 5 p.m. Monday, February 20 to be submitted for the first public hearing. The LOC will continue to accept logos and add them for future hearings as well.
Local governments are attractive targets for cyber criminals. HB 2049 is a chance to create a system to support our needs and build the cyber workforce of the future.
Background: The LOC has led a workgroup with Representative Nancy Nathanson and committee staff that was first convened in 2021 and has grown to include more than 80 organizations to address the cybersecurity challenges faced by local governments, special districts, and schools.
Problem: Many cities operate under financial constraints, sometimes severe ones, that limit their ability to acquire and implement best practices surrounding cybersecurity technology and policies. Furthermore, many cities are operating on outdated or legacy systems. Through varying departments and critical public infrastructure, cities access and store considerable amounts of sensitive information, such as addresses, driver’s license numbers, credit card numbers, social security numbers, and medical information.
Solution: Cities need funding, technical assistance, and education to meet the ongoing challenges of cyber threats. HB 2049 would address these needs for cities, along with broader systemic problems facing the state of Oregon when it comes to cybersecurity. HB 2049 and the creation of the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCOE) would:
- Leverage multiple potential funding sources to support the Center and the varying funds created in this bill. This funding can be donated, appropriated or transferred by the Legislature, and other funding deposited from any source;
- Create partnerships and promotes cybersecurity culture across sectors through the Center; and
- Create a potential source of matching funds for the state to maximize federal funding from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant program created through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Under that grant program, the state will be required to pass on 80% of those funds to local governments. While that particular funding cannot be used for the center’s purposes, federal legislation requires that the state provide 10% matching funds to receive the federal funding. HB 2049 would create a location where state funds or other sources of funding can reside that may be used as a match for the federal program.
The CCOE and the revised Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council will bring together sectors to work together on cybersecurity issues they are facing.
The CCOE creates a pipeline for the cybersecurity workforce that benefit local governments and the private sector. Through the leadership of Oregon State University, Portland State University and the University of Oregon, it will provide technical expertise to local governments through a “teaching hospital model” as students gain hands-on cybersecurity experience and prepare for potential roles in the public or private sector after graduation. In addition, the center and the cybersecurity grant program fund allow funds to be used by public bodies for cybersecurity assessment, monitoring, incident response, and any technical assistance or other cybersecurity-related goods and services that are needed.
Contact: Nolan Pleše, Lobbyist – nplese@orcities.org
Last Updated 2/17/23