SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1251

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections, February 21, 2020

Title: An act relating to security breaches of election systems or election data including by foreign entities.

Brief Description: Concerning security breaches of election systems or election data including by foreign entities.

Sponsors: House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations (originally sponsored by Representatives Tarleton, Hudgins and Wylie).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/08/19, 95-0; 1/30/20, 95-1.

Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 3/20/19, 2/13/20, 2/21/20 [DPA].

Brief Summary of Amended Bill

Requires the Secretary of State to annually consult with the Washington State Fusion Center, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and each county auditor to identify security breaches of election systems or election data, including the sources of those breaches, and report the findings.
Requires that voting systems and components pass a vulnerability test prior to sale or lease.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Hunt, Chair; Kuderer, Vice Chair; Zeiger, Ranking Member; Muzzall, Assistant Ranking Member; Hasegawa and Takko.

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

Background: Elections Security and Testing. The Secretary of State (Secretary) has partnered with the federal Department of Homeland Security to assess vulnerabilities in the state election system and identify mitigation plans, share information, receive local in-person support, and report incidents or threats. Under Washington law, a manufacturer or distributor of a voting system or component of a voting system certified by the Secretary, must disclose to the Secretary and the Attorney General any security breach of its system under certain circumstances as prescribed by law.

The Secretary may decertify a voting system or component of a voting system and withdraw the authority for its future use or sale in the state if:

the manufacturer or distributor fails to disclose security breaches as required;
the Secretary determines that the system or component fails to meet the standards set forth in applicable federal guidelines;
the system or component was materially misrepresented in the certification application;
the applicant has installed unauthorized modifications to the certified software or hardware; or
any other reason authorized by rule adopted by the Secretary.

Voting Systems. A voting system is the mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic equipment required to program, control, and support equipment used to define ballots, cast and count votes, report or display election results, and maintain and produce any audit trail information. The Secretary must inspect, evaluate, and publicly test all voting systems or components submitted for review to determine whether the systems and components meet legal requirements, rules, and generally accepted safety requirements. Any voting system or component must pass an acceptance test prior to sale or lease, demonstrating that it is the same as the system or component certified by the Secretary and operating correctly.

State Information Technology Security. The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), under the direction of the Chief Information Officer, establishes information technology policy and direction for the state, including security standards to ensure the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of the information transacted, stored, or processed in the state's information technology systems and infrastructure.

Washington State Fusion Center. The Washington State Fusion Center (WSFC) is a state and major urban area fusion center providing multidisciplinary expertise and situational awareness to inform governmental decision making. WSFC conducts analysis and facilitates information sharing while assisting law enforcement and homeland security partners in preventing, protecting against, and responding to crime and terrorism. During a significant cyber incident, WSFC is able to facilitate information sharing using Homeland Security Information Network cyber security alerts.

Summary of Amended Bill: Security Reporting. The Secretary must annually consult with WSFC, OCIO, and each county auditor to identify instances where election systems or associated data have been penetrated, accessed, or manipulated by an unauthorized person and, if possible, identify whether the source of any security breach is a foreign entity, domestic entity, or both.

The Secretary must submit a report to the Governor, the Chief Information Officer, the WSFC, and the chairs and ranking members of the appropriate legislative committees from the Senate and the House of Representatives by December 31st of each year containing:

information on any instances of election system security breaches;
options to increase election system and data security; and
options to prevent future security breaches.

The report and any related material provided to the Secretary while identifying any security breach used to assemble the report may only be distributed to these individuals.

Voting Systems. Any voting system or component of a voting system must pass a vulnerability test conducted by a state or public entity which includes participation by local elections officials prior to sale or lease.

EFFECT OF STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE AMENDMENT(S): Any voting system or component of a voting system must pass a vulnerability test conducted by a state or public entity which includes participation by local elections officials prior to sale or lease.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Regular Session 2019): PRO: We do what is in this bill on an ongoing basis, this bill simply adds the reporting requirement. We appreciate that disclosure of the report and its contents is limited; we do not want to leave a roadmap for breaches.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Jay Jennings, Secretary of State's Office.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Substitute House Bill (Regular Session 2020): The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: Foreign threats to national security interests are real. This defines in advance how our state operates through a crisis where our election systems are under attack to understand and mitigate the threat and prosecute perpetrators.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Gael Tarleton, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.