The new proposal, the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program Reauthorization Act (S. 3251), aims to extend the program past the short-term authority provided under the current continuing resolution. As of Thursday, the bill’s full text wasn’t published by the Government Publishing Office, and details about specific provisions were not available. Government Technology has requested a copy of the legislation as introduced.
According to statements from U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan’s and John Cornyn’s offices, it is intended to ensure state and local governments can continue cybersecurity work launched under the four-year SLCGP, funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
That act provided $1 billion nationwide between fiscal years 2022 and 2025 to help governments address cyber risks, enhance security operations, hire personnel, develop plans and conduct exercises. The SLCGP has provided Texas nearly $40 million over the past three years, including about $13 million in fiscal 2024, according to a news release from Cornyn’s office.
Cornyn and Hassan co-sponsored S. 3251, which has been referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for consideration.
A separate House bill that would reauthorize and expand the SLCGP through fiscal year 2033 is also pending before the committee. The Protecting Information by Local Leaders for Agency Resilience (PILLAR) Act passed the House Nov. 17, moved to the Senate and was referred to committee.
The PILLAR Act includes several updates to the existing program, such as adding definitions related to AI, modifying cost-share requirements and extending eligible uses to operational technology systems.
Both measures arrive at a time when the program’s long-term status is uncertain, although Congress extended SLCGP authorization through Jan. 30. State technology leaders and national associations, including the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, have been calling for a multiyear reauthorization.
