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House requires new cybersecurity standards for statewide election-management system; counties given time to comply
Summary
The House passed a bill directing ITS and the Secretary of State to set mandatory cybersecurity standards for the statewide election management system (SIMS); counties get until 2028 to meet the standards and federal funds are available to assist compliance.
The House adopted legislation directing the state Information Technology Services (ITS) and the Secretary of State to set mandatory cybersecurity standards and policies for the statewide elections-management system (SIMS). The sponsor told the chamber the standards would be finalized by Jan. 1, 2027, and counties would have until Jan. 1, 2028 to meet them; ITS and SOS will provide assistance and federal funds are available to help compliance.
Lawmakers asked about the scope of the assessments and whether the public would have access to SIMS; sponsors clarified assessments would examine standards set by ITS and SOS, county election officials and the secretary's office would maintain operational access, and the public would not be granted direct access to the statewide system. The House adopted an amendment and passed the bill unanimously (121–0). Sponsor emphasized the effort is to protect voter and election data: "The standards will be set by ITS and the Secretary of State by 01/01/2027," the transcript records.
