Chief Patron: Ebbin
State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Funding (language only)

Item 92 #1s

Language

Page 22, strike line 42.

THIS AMENDMENT IS WRITTEN TO CHAPTER 552

Page 98, after paragraph E.2. insert:

"F. The Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) shall take the necessary steps to obtain and use the cybersecurity grant funding that is available to Virginia under the State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act subtitle of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, P.L. 117-58.

   1. VITA shall establish and identify candidates for appointment by the Governor to a planning committee that includes members from: (i) state government; counties, cities, and towns; and institutions of public education and health within Virginia; and (ii) suburban, rural, and high-population jurisdictions. At least half, and as many as practicable, of planning committee members shall have substantial professional experience in cybersecurity or information technology. The Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth or the Chief Information Security Officer as designee, shall be the chair of the planning committee. The planning committee shall be supported by VITA as necessary and appropriate to carry out its responsibilities.

   2. In compliance with the federal requirements, VITA shall develop a cybersecurity plan, present such plan to the planning committee for approval, and submit such plan to the appropriate federal officials.

   3. VITA shall propose  priorities for grant funding for the planning committee's consideration and approval.

   4. VITA shall approve, manage, and allocate grant funding once received, ensuring that the grants are within the priorities approved by the planning committee, maximizing the benefit from the funding received, and working with the Department of the Treasury as appropriate. To the extent permitted, VITA may use a portion of the grant funding for direct support and administration expenses.

   5. VITA shall report on the grant funding as required and shall provide copies of such reports to the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.