S.1018 - Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1018, the Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act, aims to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. It seeks to establish a cybersecurity circuit rider program. This program will provide technical assistance to entities operating rural water or wastewater systems.
The bill directs the Secretary to establish a program similar to the existing circuit rider program. The goal is to enhance the cybersecurity of rural water and wastewater systems. The Act authorizes appropriations of $10,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to carry out this program.
The bill was introduced in the Senate by Ms. Cortez Masto and Mr. Rounds and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely improve the cybersecurity posture of rural water and wastewater systems. This will be achieved through rapid assessments, development of cybersecurity protocols, and assistance in addressing inadequate cyber protection plans.
The program will also document the state of cyber protection concerning water supplies. This will provide valuable data for future improvements and resource allocation. Ultimately, this will lead to a more secure and resilient water infrastructure in rural areas.
This will be achieved by providing funding and technical assistance to rural water and wastewater systems.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced cybersecurity for rural water and wastewater systems, protecting critical infrastructure.
- Improved public health by safeguarding water supplies from cyber threats.
- Technical assistance and training for rural water system operators, increasing their cybersecurity expertise.
- Creation of a reporting mechanism to document the state of cyber protection in rural water systems.
- Increased resilience of rural communities to cyberattacks on essential services.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies in the implementation of the circuit rider program.
- Possible difficulty in finding qualified cybersecurity professionals to serve as circuit riders.
- Risk that the allocated funding may be insufficient to address all cybersecurity needs of rural water systems.
- Limited scope of the program, focusing solely on water and wastewater systems and potentially neglecting other critical infrastructure.
- Dependence on the Secretary's determination of necessary experience and certification for circuit riders, which could be subject to political influence.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it aims to protect public health and safety by enhancing the cybersecurity of rural water systems. The establishment of the program and allocation of funds fall under Congress's power to provide for the general welfare of the United States.
Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The appropriation of funds for the cybersecurity circuit rider program is an exercise of this power.
There are no apparent conflicts with other constitutional provisions, such as individual liberties or states' rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).