The Congressional Budget Office has said a proposed House bill that calls for collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium to support state and local cybersecurity efforts would not directly affect government spending or revenues.
CBO said Friday it estimates that the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act would cost about $3 million annually through fiscal year 2021.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) introduced the bill in mid-March with the intent to encourage DHS and NCPC to offer cybersecurity training and technical support programs for agencies, businesses and critical infrastructure operators at the state and local levels.
“The cyber threat doesn’t just affect big corporations and the federal government – it affects folks at the local level too,” Castro said.
“This bill will allow communities to learn from our nation’s best cyber experts as they ensure local first responders are equipped to defend against and respond to cyber attacks,” he added.
The House Homeland Security Committee passed the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act in late April.
NCPC comprises the University of Texas at San Antonio, the  Texas A&M University, the University of Arkansas System, the University of Memphis and the Norwich University in Vermont.
