Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7305

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2026-06-29: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Last Updated

2026-07-01T08:06:06Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 7305

Purpose

This legislation reauthorizes and expands the Department of Energy's Energy Sector Operational Support for Cyberresilience Program. It aims to improve cybersecurity and resilience in the U.S. energy sector by enhancing collaboration between government and private entities to analyze and mitigate threats.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The Act is named the "Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026."
• Program Expansion: Amends Section 40125(c) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to broaden the program's goals, including:
• Strengthening collective defense, response, and resilience through information sharing at classified and unclassified levels.
• Analyzing threats to energy systems and providing mitigation recommendations.
• Advancing understanding of national security risks and vulnerabilities in the energy sector.
• Increasing awareness of threat actor tactics, techniques, and indicators of compromise.
• Energy Threat Analysis Center: Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to carry out program activities through one or more physical centers.
• Legal Protections:
• Assistance or information provided is at the Secretary's sole discretion and does not create any enforceable rights or benefits for recipients.
• The program is exempt from Federal Advisory Committee Act requirements.
• Shared information is deemed voluntarily shared and exempt from public disclosure under federal and state laws.
• Transaction Authority: Grants the Secretary broad authority to enter into contracts, grants, and other agreements, with options for expedited processes.
• Reauthorization: Extends funding and operations from 2027 through 2031.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the original program's scope from basic support to include advanced threat analysis, collaboration infrastructure, and operational experimentation.
• Introduces new mechanisms for an Energy Threat Analysis Center and explicit legal safeguards for information sharing.
• Removes prior subparagraphs limiting the program's focus and updates the authorization period.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Enhances the Department of Energy's role in energy cybersecurity, with increased flexibility in partnerships and information handling.
• On Citizens: Indirectly supports reliable energy infrastructure by mitigating cyber threats, though no direct citizen benefits or rights are created.
• On International Relations: Focuses on domestic energy sector protection but could influence broader national security collaborations if threats involve foreign actors.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Department of Energy (primary implementer).
• Energy sector entities, including public agencies, private organizations, and individuals involved in energy systems.
• State, Tribal, and local governments participating in information sharing.
• Energy infrastructure operators and cybersecurity partners.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Provides broad exemptions from disclosure laws, prioritizing security over transparency in threat-related information.
• Emphasizes Secretarial discretion to avoid creating legal entitlements.
• Supports enhanced public-private collaboration without triggering advisory committee rules, potentially streamlining operations while raising questions about oversight.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-29: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2026-06-29: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4300-4301)
• 2026-06-29: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4300-4301)
• 2026-06-29: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7305.
• 2026-06-29: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4300-4302)
• 2026-06-29: Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• 2026-05-12: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 563.
• 2026-05-12: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-646.
• 2026-05-12: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-646.
• 2026-02-04: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2026-02-04: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
• 2026-02-02: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2026-02-02: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-29 — PDF (8 pages)
• Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-02 — PDF (6 pages)
• Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (8 pages)