Members of the Congressional Cyberspace Solarium are introducing a bill to modernize and secure state and local government information technology.
The bill, the State and Local IT Modernization and Cybersecurity Act, addresses a recommendation from the Solarium’s pandemic white paper that calls for helping state and local governments migrate legacy IT infrastructure to modern, secure platforms.
It was introduced by Solarium Chair Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and co-chairs Sens. Angus King (I-ME) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI). Reps. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Will Hurd (R-TX), C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Max Rose (D-NY), and Don Bacon (R-NE), also sponsored the bill.
During the pandemic, outdated infrastructure has caused many states and localities to struggle to deliver essential services, from unemployment benefits to public health tracking data.
“In our initial report, the Solarium Commission recognized that outdated state and local government systems were attractive targets for our adversaries and that we needed to help them migrate to secure, cloud-based infrastructure,” Langevin said. “COVID-19 has made it apparent how much legacy IT is affecting state and local governments operationally. We need immediate investments to ensure state and local employees can safely work remotely, and we need IT modernization strategies to ensure that essential services, like unemployment insurance, can be provided to Americans in need. The State and Local IT Modernization and Cybersecurity Act will dramatically improve e-government services, protect workers, and significantly enhance security. I am indebted to the Solarium Commissioners, especially our co-chairs, for working to develop this proposal and for my House colleagues like Congressmen Richmond and Hurd, whose thought leadership is reflected in the final bill. The Solarium Commission released the pandemic white paper to call attention to immediate cybersecurity needs in light of COVID-19, and we need to act now.”
The Local IT Modernization and Cybersecurity Act would establish a Public Health Emergency Information Technology Grant Program and a Modernizing Information Technology Program to address the immediate needs of governments as they deal with unprecedented demand on their IT infrastructure. It also includes a sustained investment in cybersecurity for states based on Congressman Richmond’s State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act (H.R. 5823).
“America’s cybersecurity strategy cannot occur at only the federal level – if we are to take the necessary steps to protect our people and our data, each layer of our government must be prepared for cyber threats,” King said. “This legislation will help our states and localities update their systems, which will improve their security and provide the added benefit of helping state and local governments operate more efficiently in the digital age. It’s necessary for our security, and it will strengthen online services for the American people – a win-win, and one I’m proud to introduce with Representatives Langevin and Gallagher.”