SB 1319 establishes a cybersecurity task force and amends a prior special act to update the task force’s deadlines and reporting date. The task force is directed to study cybersecurity across state government and develop a strategic plan with findings and recommendations on oversight and coordination among state agencies, higher education, municipalities, and other political subdivisions, as well as coordination with federal agencies and other states. It is also charged with examining information sharing, private-sector collaboration, protection of trade secrets and data privacy, and public awareness of personal computer, mobile device, and application security.
The bill specifies a broad, bipartisan membership structure that includes legislative appointees, executive branch officials, and gubernatorial appointees, with representation tied to cybersecurity expertise and municipal experience. It sets appointment deadlines, names the House and Senate leaders as the selectors of the task force chairpersons, allows consultation with outside individuals or organizations, and assigns administrative support from the public safety and security committee staff. The task force must report its findings and recommendations to the legislature and then terminate after submitting the report or by the statutory deadline.
The bill’s main legal effect is to continue and refine an existing cybersecurity study body rather than create a new regulatory program. It updates the operative dates in the prior special act, extending the appointment and first-meeting deadlines to September 1, 2025 and November 1, 2025, respectively, and moving the report/termination deadline to January 1, 2027. It does not itself impose new cybersecurity mandates on agencies, municipalities, or private entities, but it is intended to inform future policy and statutory changes.
The overall sentiment appears strongly favorable and noncontroversial. The available vote history shows unanimous support in committee, with a 29-0 vote for the joint favorable substitute, and there is no recorded committee transcript indicating opposition or significant debate. The bill’s focus on coordination, planning, and information gathering suggests broad agreement that cybersecurity is a statewide governance issue requiring structured review.
Any contention is likely to be limited to implementation details rather than the concept of the task force itself. The bill’s broad scope touches state agencies, municipalities, higher education, law enforcement, emergency management, economic development, and private-sector cybersecurity interests, so future disagreements could arise over membership balance, priorities, or how recommendations should be translated into policy. However, no specific objections are reflected in the provided materials.
SB 1319 amends Special Act 23-23 to extend and update the cybersecurity task force’s timeline and reporting requirements. It preserves the task force’s advisory role and does not directly change substantive cybersecurity obligations in the General Statutes, but it may influence future legislation affecting state agencies, municipalities, higher education, critical infrastructure, data privacy, and public-private cybersecurity coordination.
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible controversy. The committee vote was unanimous (29-0) on the joint favorable substitute, and no committee transcript was provided showing opposition or debate. The measure is framed as a planning and study initiative, which likely contributed to the positive reception.
No major points of contention are evident in the available record. If concerns arise, they would likely center on the task force’s composition, the breadth of its mandate, or how its recommendations might affect state agency coordination, municipal responsibilities, and private-sector information sharing. The bill specifically includes members with expertise in cybersecurity, municipal issues, law enforcement, and executive administration, suggesting an effort to balance those interests.