Bill seeking to protect public utilities advances

Senators gave first-round approval March 15 to a bill intended to protect sensitive public utility information.

Sen. Kate Sullivan of Cedar Rapids said she introduced LB230 to protect utilities and citizens from individuals who could use infrastructure information to commit terrorist acts or otherwise harm the public. Currently, Nebraska public power entities must comply with the state’s public records act, Sullivan said, resulting in sensitive information being vulnerable to misuse.

“In Nebraska, the majority of critical infrastructure facilities are publicly owned and operated,” she said.

A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment, adopted 40-0, clarified that public utility infrastructure specifications or design drawings may be withheld from the public unless otherwise provided by state or federal law if such disclosure would create a substantial likelihood of endangering public safety or property.

Bellevue Sen. Scott Price said the bill is necessary due to the danger of allowing access to infrastructure information without the ability to trace where the requests come from or for what purpose they may be used.

The bill also would allow a public utility to withhold personally identified private citizen account and customer use information.

LB230 advanced from general file on a 42-0 vote.