Texas moves forward on cybersecurity defense

In a bold step toward strengthening the Lone Star State’s digital defenses, the Texas House has advanced legislation to formally create the Texas Cyber Command, a new agency aimed at tackling rising cyber threats. The proposal, House Bill 150, is a key response to an emergency item outlined earlier this year by Governor Greg Abbott during his State of the State address.

Led by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) and co-authored by several lawmakers, the bill establishes the Cyber Command as a unit within The University of Texas System, with administrative ties to the University of Texas at San Antonio — already a national leader in cybersecurity education and research.

A Strategic Cyber Shield

According to the bill, the Texas Cyber Command will serve as a statewide nerve center for defending against cyberattacks that target government entities and critical infrastructure. Its mission is straightforward: prevention, rapid response, and long-term resilience in the face of increasing digital threats.

At its core, the command will include a Cybersecurity Incident Response Unit tasked with threat mitigation and a Digital Forensics Laboratory to collect and analyze digital evidence, ensuring proper chain of custody and aiding law enforcement investigations.

“This is about resiliency,” said Capriglione during House debate. “With the Texas Cyber Command, we are putting our governments and communities on the best footing to prevent, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents.”

Funding and Future Planning

The proposed budget for the Cyber Command is no small sum. A fiscal note estimates a $135.5 million cost in the first two years, pulled from the state’s general revenue fund. While the bill does not appropriate funds directly, it lays the legal foundation for future appropriations.

The University of Texas System estimates that establishing a San Antonio-based headquarters will cost $60.4 million for space acquisition and construction. This would be folded into future planning for the Permanent University Fund — a major financial resource supporting higher education infrastructure in Texas.

A Debate Over Growth vs. Efficiency

While the bill drew broad support, passing 133 to 12, it sparked debate over the scope of government expansion. Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) expressed concerns that the proposal contradicts conservative priorities by creating an entirely new state agency.

“This is growing government,” Harrison argued. “It’s adding employees and expanding the bureaucracy, not cutting it.”

Capriglione countered that cybersecurity threats are already costing Texans billions annually and that the command is a strategic investment — not a bloated expansion. He emphasized that the structure fits within the broader goals of government efficiency and aligns with the mission of the House Select Committee on Government Efficiency & Strategic Fiscal Review (DOGE), which he chairs.

What’s Next?

With the bill passed to engrossment, it heads to the Senate for consideration. If approved and signed into law, Texas would join a small group of states taking proactive steps to centralize cyber defense — with San Antonio poised to become a key hub for this high-tech initiative.

As cyber threats grow in complexity and frequency, state leaders hope the Texas Cyber Command will become a national model for cybersecurity preparedness and rapid response.