Bill · S. 5360· Senate(119-S-5360)
Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act
- Introduced
- 8/7/2026
- Last activity
- 9/30/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Sponsored by
- David McCormick
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act," seeks to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It aims to reauthorize the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program. The program provides technical assistance and funding to eligible electric utilities to help them defend against cybersecurity threats. This includes deploying advanced technologies and increasing participation in information sharing. The bill authorizes up to $250,000,000 for this purpose over fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+7
The bill provides funding and technical assistance to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of critical electric utility infrastructure.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
The bill provides targeted resources and technical assistance specifically to rural electric cooperatives.
Does this invest in rural communities?+5
The bill specifically targets rural electric cooperatives for cybersecurity assistance and funding.
The opposite
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?-2
The bill includes provisions to exempt certain shared information from public disclosure laws like FOIA.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Security for Electric Utilities: The program provides funding and technical assistance to help eligible entities protect against, detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity threats (Section 2, subsection b).
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Support for Vulnerable Utilities: The Secretary is directed to give priority to entities that have limited cybersecurity resources, own assets critical to the reliability of the bulk-power system, or operate defense critical electric infrastructure (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 2).
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Deployment of Advanced Technology: The program objectives include deploying advanced cybersecurity technologies for electric utility systems (Section 2, subsection c, paragraph 1).
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Increased Information Sharing: The program aims to increase how eligible entities participate in cybersecurity threat information sharing programs (Section 2, subsection c, paragraph 2).
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Information Protection: Information shared under the program is deemed voluntarily shared and is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act or similar state, tribal, or local laws (Section 2, subsection e).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+7
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+6
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency-2
- 9/30/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 9/16/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
- 9/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/7/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
John HoevenRepublican · North Dakota
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia