WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 7266 · 119th Congress

Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act

Passed HouseDrafted by AI, awaiting reviewScience, Technology, Communications
IntroducedJan 27, 2026
Passed HouseJun 29, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Jul 13, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. From Iowa: Mariannette Miller-Meeks sponsors it. It would change 1 section of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 7266 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Jul 13, 2026).

42 U.S.C. 18723 Rural and municipal utility advanced cybersecurity grant and technical assistance program

What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 42 U.S.C. 18723rewrittenby H.R. 7266 Sec. 2

    40124 Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program.—(a) Definitions.— In this section:(1) Advanced cybersecurity technology.— The term advanced cybersecurity technology means any technology, operational capability, or service, including computer hardware, software, or a related asset, that enhances the security posture of electric utilities through improvements in the ability to protect against, detect, respond to, or recover from a cybersecurity threat.(2) Bulk-power system.— The term bulk-power system has the meaning given the term in section 215(a) of the Federal Power Act.(3) Cybersecurity threat.— The term cybersecurity threat has the meaning given the term in section 2200 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.(4) Defense critical electric infrastructure.— The term defense critical electric infrastructure has the meaning given the term in section 215A(a) of the Federal Power Act.(5) Eligible entity.— The term eligible entity means—(A) a rural electric cooperative;(B) an electric utility owned by a political subdivision of a State, such as a municipally owned electric utility;(C) an electric utility owned by any agency, authority, corporation, or instrumentality of 1 or more political subdivisions of a State;(D) a not-for-profit entity that is in a partnership with not fewer than 6 entities described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C); and(E) an investor-owned electric utility that sells less than 4,000,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year.(6) Program.— The term Program means the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program established under subsection (b).(b) Establishment.— The Secretary shall maintain a program, to be known as the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, to provide technical assistance and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities to protect against, detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity threats.(c) Objectives.— The objectives of the Program shall be—(1) to deploy advanced cybersecurity technologies for electric utility systems; and(2) to increase the participation of eligible entities in cybersecurity threat information sharing programs.(d) Awards.—(1) In general.— In carrying out the Program, the Secretary—(A) shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide technical assistance, and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities on a competitive or noncompetitive basis;(B) shall develop criteria for providing such technical assistance and awarding such funding;(C) may enter into agreements that can facilitate the objectives described in subsection (c) with eligible entities to provide technical assistance or award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes; and(D) shall establish a process to ensure, to the extent practicable, that all eligible entities are informed about opportunities to receive technical assistance or funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes.(2) Priority for funding and technical assistance.— In providing technical assistance and awarding funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that, as determined by the Secretary—(A) has limited cybersecurity resources;(B) owns assets critical to the reliability of the bulk-power system; or(C) owns or operates defense critical electric infrastructure.(e) Protection of information.— Information shared by or with the Federal Government or a State, Tribal, or local government under the Program shall be deemed voluntarily shared information and exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act), or any provision of any State, Tribal, or local freedom of information law, open government law, open meetings law, open records law, sunshine law, or similar law requiring the disclosure of information or records.(f) Authorization of appropriations.— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

    The bill says: Section 40124 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (42 U.S.C. 18723) is amended to read as follows:

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 18723)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

Bill text used: Engrossed in House (as passed by the House, June 29, 2026) · updated Oct 28, 2026

This breakdown was drafted by AI from the official documents and passed our automatic checks: every quoted word was found in its source, and every number comes from an official record. A person must review it before we mark it reviewed. Tap any small number to see the exact words a sentence rests on.

At a glance

Sourced
  • This bill renews an Energy Department program that helps small electric utilities defend against hackers.
    3The Secretary shall maintain a program, to be known as the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, to provide technical assistance and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(b)to deploy advanced cybersecurity technologies for electric utility systems; and[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(c)(1)
  • It covers rural electric co-ops, city-owned utilities and small private utilities.
    3a rural electric cooperative;[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(a)(5)(A)an electric utility owned by a political subdivision of a State, such as a municipally owned electric utility;[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(a)(5)(B)an investor-owned electric utility that sells less than 4,000,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(a)(5)(E)
  • It allows $250,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, if Congress provides the money.
    3There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(f)shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide technical assistance, and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities on a competitive or noncompetitive basis[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(1)(A)
  • It passed the House on June 29, 2026, and waits in a Senate committee.
    12026-06-29 16:35:44 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, 2026-06-292026-07-13 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, 2026-07-13
  • Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa wrote it.
    1Sponsor: Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1][1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Sponsor

What it would mean for you

Sourced

If you get power from a rural co-op or a city utility

Your utility could get help guarding the grid

  • Your utility could get grants, prizes or expert help to fight hackers.
    3The Secretary shall maintain a program, to be known as the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, to provide technical assistance and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(b)
  • Utilities with the least to spend on security go first.
    3has limited cybersecurity resources;[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(2)(A)

If you work at a small utility

Applying would be simpler

If you care about government records

Less of this program would be public

  • Facts shared in the program would be kept from public-records requests.
    3Information shared by or with the Federal Government or a State, Tribal, or local government under the Program shall be deemed voluntarily shared information and exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(e)or any provision of any State, Tribal, or local freedom of information law, open government law, open meetings law, open records law, sunshine law, or similar law[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(e)

If you live in Iowa

Your representative wrote it

What this bill does not do

Sourced
  • It does not guarantee money. Congress still has to provide it each year.
    3shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide technical assistance, and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities on a competitive or noncompetitive basis[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(1)(A)There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(f)
  • It does not set new security rules for utilities. It funds help they can choose to seek.
    3The Secretary shall maintain a program, to be known as the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, to provide technical assistance and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(b)
  • It is not law yet. The Senate has not acted.
    12026-07-13 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, 2026-07-13

Current law vs. the bill

Sourced

Every place the bill changes existing law. On the left, the law as it stands today, quoted from the U.S. Code. On the right, the bill's words.

42 U.S.C. 18723(f)Replaces dates

Current law

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
8There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.[8] 42 U.S.C. 18723, Rural and municipal utility advanced cybersecurity grant and technical assistance program (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (f)

The money was allowed only through fiscal year 2026.

The bill

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
3There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(f)
In plain words: The same $250,000,000 is allowed for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
3,8There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(f)There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.[8] 42 U.S.C. 18723, Rural and municipal utility advanced cybersecurity grant and technical assistance program (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (f)
42 U.S.C. 18723(d)(1)Replaces words

Current law

shall award grants and provide technical assistance under the Program to eligible entities on a competitive basis
8shall award grants and provide technical assistance under the Program to eligible entities on a competitive basis[8] 42 U.S.C. 18723, Rural and municipal utility advanced cybersecurity grant and technical assistance program (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (d)(1)(A)

Awards had to be competitive, using a formula.

The bill

shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide technical assistance, and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities on a competitive or noncompetitive basis
3shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide technical assistance, and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities on a competitive or noncompetitive basis[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(1)(A)
In plain words: Awards can be competitive or not, and the formula requirement is dropped.
3,8shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide technical assistance, and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities on a competitive or noncompetitive basis[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(1)(A)shall develop criteria for providing such technical assistance and awarding such funding[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(1)(B)shall develop criteria and a formula for awarding grants and providing technical assistance under the Program[8] 42 U.S.C. 18723, Rural and municipal utility advanced cybersecurity grant and technical assistance program (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (d)(1)(B)
1 more change side by side
42 U.S.C. 18723(e)Replaces the subsection

Current law

the disclosure of which the Secretary reasonably foresees could be detrimental to the physical security or cybersecurity of any electric utility or the bulk-power system
8the disclosure of which the Secretary reasonably foresees could be detrimental to the physical security or cybersecurity of any electric utility or the bulk-power system[8] 42 U.S.C. 18723, Rural and municipal utility advanced cybersecurity grant and technical assistance program (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (e)

Only information whose release could harm grid security was shielded.

The bill

Information shared by or with the Federal Government or a State, Tribal, or local government under the Program shall be deemed voluntarily shared information and exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5
3Information shared by or with the Federal Government or a State, Tribal, or local government under the Program shall be deemed voluntarily shared information and exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(e)
In plain words: All information shared under the program would be shielded from public-records laws.
3Information shared by or with the Federal Government or a State, Tribal, or local government under the Program shall be deemed voluntarily shared information and exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(e)or any provision of any State, Tribal, or local freedom of information law, open government law, open meetings law, open records law, sunshine law, or similar law[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(e)

What the bill decides, and what it leaves to others

Sourced

Written into the bill

These take effect exactly as written.

  • The amount and years are set: $250,000,000 for 2027 through 2031.
    3There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(f)
  • Who can apply is listed in the bill.
    3a rural electric cooperative;[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(a)(5)(A)an investor-owned electric utility that sells less than 4,000,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(a)(5)(E)

Left to agencies or states

The real effect depends on rules someone else writes later.

  • The Energy Department writes the criteria for who gets help and money.
    3shall develop criteria for providing such technical assistance and awarding such funding[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(1)(B)
  • It decides when to award by competition and when not to.
    3shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide technical assistance, and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities on a competitive or noncompetitive basis[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(1)(A)

Section by section

Sourced
Read all 2 sections in plain words
Sec. 1 Short title
Names the bill the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act.
3This Act may be cited as the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 1
Sec. 2 The program, rewritten
Keeps the program and its goals: deploy better cyber defenses and get more utilities sharing threat information.
3The Secretary shall maintain a program, to be known as the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, to provide technical assistance and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(b)to deploy advanced cybersecurity technologies for electric utility systems; and[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(c)(1)to increase the participation of eligible entities in cybersecurity threat information sharing programs.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(c)(2)
 Who qualifies stays the same: co-ops, public utilities, groups of at least 6 of them, and small private utilities.
3a rural electric cooperative;[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(a)(5)(A)an electric utility owned by a political subdivision of a State, such as a municipally owned electric utility;[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(a)(5)(B)a not-for-profit entity that is in a partnership with not fewer than 6 entities described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C)[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(a)(5)(D)an investor-owned electric utility that sells less than 4,000,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(a)(5)(E)
 Adds prizes, and lets awards be made without a competition.
3The Secretary shall maintain a program, to be known as the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, to provide technical assistance and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(b)shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide technical assistance, and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities on a competitive or noncompetitive basis[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(1)(A)
 Puts first utilities with few resources, ones key to the grid, or ones serving defense sites.
3has limited cybersecurity resources;[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(2)(A)owns assets critical to the reliability of the bulk-power system; or[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(2)(B)owns or operates defense critical electric infrastructure.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(2)(C)
 Shields all information shared under the program from public-records laws.
3Information shared by or with the Federal Government or a State, Tribal, or local government under the Program shall be deemed voluntarily shared information and exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(e)or any provision of any State, Tribal, or local freedom of information law, open government law, open meetings law, open records law, sunshine law, or similar law[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(e)
 Allows $250,000,000 for 2027 through 2031.
3There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(f)

What changed between versions

Sourced
2 steps, from first draft to final text

From the House bill as introduced to the committee's version (House)

No changes to the wording.

From the committee's version (House) to the House-passed text

  • The House moved the funding years one year later, to 2027 through 2031.
    3,4for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.[4] Reported in House (2026-04-30) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(f)There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(f)

Cost

Sourced
  • The Congressional Budget Office estimated it would cost $114 million over 2026 to 2031 and $136 million after 2031, if $50 million is provided each year.
    6CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 7266 would cost $114 million over the 2026-2031 period and $136 million after 2031, assuming the appropriation of $50 million in each year[6] H. Rept. 119-629 · CBO estimate
  • The money is only allowed, not guaranteed. Congress must still provide it.
    3shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide technical assistance, and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities on a competitive or noncompetitive basis[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(1)(A)

Analysis

Analysis

Every bill gets the same five questions. Arguments are attributed to the people who made them, and each side gets about the same space.

Path to law

Balance of power

Coalitions

Precedent

The strongest case on each side

For

  • Hostile nations are running sustained campaigns against U.S. energy systems, and rural co-ops face the same threats with fewer resources.
    7hostile nation-states are shifting from isolated cyber incidents to sustained campaigns against U.S. critical infrastructure, including the energy sector[7] Congressional Record, House, June 29, 2026 (H4299-H4300) · H4300, Rep. Miller-MeeksIn Iowa's First District, rural electric cooperatives serve ratepayers across 20 counties and face the same threats as major urban systems but with fewer resources.[7] Congressional Record, House, June 29, 2026 (H4299-H4300) · H4300, Rep. Miller-Meeks
    Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), sponsor
  • Small utilities lack big companies' resources, and the bill cuts burdensome grant paperwork.
    7These threats are uniquely concerning for rural communities and small utility operators that do not have the same resources as their investor-owned counterparts.[7] Congressional Record, House, June 29, 2026 (H4299-H4300) · H4299, Rep. Guthriethe RMUC Act streamlines burdensome grant application practices at the Department of Energy[7] Congressional Record, House, June 29, 2026 (H4299-H4300) · H4299, Rep. Guthrie
    Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), chairman, Energy and Commerce

Against

  • No one opposed it. CBO noted it would keep overriding state and local public-records laws for program information.
    6H.R. 7266 would extend an existing preemption of state, local, and tribal laws on public disclosure of government information.[6] H. Rept. 119-629 · CBO estimate
    Congressional Budget Office (in H. Rept. 119-629)
  • It widens that shield from harmful information to everything shared, and lets awards skip competition.
    3,8the disclosure of which the Secretary reasonably foresees could be detrimental to the physical security or cybersecurity of any electric utility or the bulk-power system[8] 42 U.S.C. 18723, Rural and municipal utility advanced cybersecurity grant and technical assistance program (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · (e)Information shared by or with the Federal Government or a State, Tribal, or local government under the Program shall be deemed voluntarily shared information and exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(e)shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide technical assistance, and award funding, including grants, cooperative agreements, and prizes, to eligible entities on a competitive or noncompetitive basis[3] Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Sec. 2 → inserted 40124(d)(1)(A)
    The bill's text compared with current law

Did this make sense?

Sourced

Three quick questions. Your answers are anonymous and tell us which breakdowns need clearer writing.

1. Who does this program help?
2. How much does the bill allow, and for which years?
3. What happens to information shared under the program?

How this was checked

Sourced
3 checks
  • Automatic: every quote matched its source; every number matched an official record.
  • H. Rept. 119-629 (Energy and Commerce): CBO's estimate in the report assumes the 2027-2031 years in the House-passed text.
  • 42 U.S.C. 18723 (2024 edition): Before-and-after comparisons quote the current section.

Spot an error? See our corrections log and how to report one

Sources

Sourced
All 8 sources
  1. Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Official bill record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  2. Referred in Senate (2026-07-13) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  3. Engrossed in House (2026-06-29) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  4. Reported in House (2026-04-30) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  5. Introduced in House (2026-01-27) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  6. H. Rept. 119-629 · Committee report · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  7. Congressional Record, House, June 29, 2026 (H4299-H4300) · Congressional Record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
  8. 42 U.S.C. 18723, Rural and municipal utility advanced cybersecurity grant and technical assistance program (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, before this bill) · U.S. Code (current law) · retrieved Oct 28, 2026

Official summary

Sourced

Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act

This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 a program that provides cybersecurity-related assistance and funding to rural electric cooperatives and municipal or small, investor-owned electric utilities. The bill also revises methods of awarding support and expands protections for information shared under the program.

This program, known as the Rural and Municipal Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, is administered by the Department of Energy (DOE). Current law requires DOE to provide technical assistance and funding under the program on a competitive basis; under the bill, assistance and funding may be provided on a competitive or noncompetitive basis.

Current law also requires DOE to prioritize providing technical assistance and funding to certain entities, including entities that own defense critical electric infrastructure. The bill specifies that DOE must also prioritize entities that operate such infrastructure. (Defense critical electric infrastructure is electric infrastructure that (1) is located in the contiguous United States, and (2) serves a designated critical defense facility but is not owned or operated by the owner or operator of the critical facility.)

Finally, the bill expands an existing protection against disclosure to cover all information shared under the program by or with the federal government or a state, tribal, or local government. This provision protects against disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and other state, tribal, or local disclosure laws.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Apr 30, 2026).

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Jul 13, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
  2. Jun 29, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Jun 29, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4299)House floor actions
  4. Jun 29, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4299)Library of Congress
  5. Jun 29, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7266.House floor actions
  6. Jun 29, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4299-4300)House floor actions
  7. Jun 29, 2026Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  8. Apr 30, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 545.House floor actions
  9. Apr 30, 2026Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-629.House floor actions
  10. Apr 30, 2026Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-629.Library of Congress
  11. Feb 4, 2026Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.House committee actions
  12. Feb 4, 2026Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  13. Jan 27, 2026Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.House committee actions
  14. Jan 27, 2026Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
  15. Jan 27, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  16. Jan 27, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Cosponsors

  • Diana Harshbarger R-TN-1
  • Jennifer L. McClellan D-VA-4