Hughes Bill Extends Foreign Vendor Ban To Routers And Cameras

The text as introduced · 545 words

89R4469 JCG-F

By: Hughes
S.B. No. 1847

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibiting contracts or other agreements with certain

foreign-owned companies in connection with critical infrastructure

in this state and the use of certain technology purchased or leased

from those companies.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 2275, Government Code, is

amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 2275. PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTS WITH CERTAIN FOREIGN-OWNED

COMPANIES IN CONNECTION WITH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE USE OF

CERTAIN TECHNOLOGIES PURCHASED OR LEASED FROM THOSE COMPANIES

SECTION 2. Section 2275.0101, Government Code, is amended

by amending Subdivisions (1) and (2) and adding Subdivisions (1-a),

(7), and (8) to read as follows:

(1) "Communication infrastructure system" includes:

(A) a computer hardware device that converts data

signals of one kind into another for the purpose of transmitting the

data over telecommunications circuits, also known as a modem; and

(B) a computer hardware device that mediates the

transmission routes of data packets over an electronic

communications network, also known as a router.

(1-a) "Company" means a sole proprietorship,

organization, association, corporation, partnership, joint

venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or

limited liability company, including a wholly owned subsidiary,

majority-owned subsidiary, parent company, or affiliate of those

entities or business associations, that exists to make a profit.

(2) "Critical infrastructure" means a communication

infrastructure system, cybersecurity system, electric grid,

hazardous waste treatment system, remote sensing technology,

transportation infrastructure system, or water treatment facility.

(7) "Remote sensing technology" means a remote sensing

method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure

variable distances for the purpose of developing a distance map of

the objects from which the light is reflected. The term includes the

technology known as LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging.

(8) "Transportation infrastructure system" means a

camera system used in enforcing the traffic laws of this state,

including a school bus infraction detection system, speed detection

system, or other traffic infraction detector.

SECTION 3. Section 2275.0103, Government Code, is amended

by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) The governor shall consider designating as a threat to

critical infrastructure under Subsection (a) any country or person

designated as a foreign adversary by the United States secretary of

commerce, or the secretary's designee, under 15 C.F.R. Section

791.4.

SECTION 4. Effective July 1, 2026, Chapter 2275, Government

Code, is amended by adding Section 2275.0104 to read as follows:

Sec. 2275.0104. USE OF CERTAIN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

PROHIBITED. A governmental entity may not use remote sensing

technology or a transportation infrastructure system purchased or

leased from a company described by Section 2275.0102(a)(2).

SECTION 5. With respect to a contract or other agreement

relating to critical infrastructure, the changes in law made by

this Act to Section 2275.0101, Government Code, apply only to a

contract or other agreement entered into on or after the effective

date of this Act. A contract or agreement entered into before the

effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the

date the contract or agreement was entered into, and that law is

continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 6. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.