H.B. No. 132 amends the Government Code to enhance the confidentiality of information related to the prevention, detection, response to, or investigation of hostile acts by foreign adversaries of the United States, in addition to acts of terrorism and related criminal activities. The bill introduces new legal language that specifies that information collected by governmental entities for these purposes is confidential if it pertains to staffing requirements, tactical plans, risk assessments, encryption codes, and vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure. This includes information that is part of reports to U.S. agencies and is required to be kept confidential under federal statutes or regulations.

The bill also clarifies that certain information, such as access codes and passwords related to security systems, is confidential if it pertains to protecting public or private property from both terrorism and hostile acts by foreign adversaries. The amendments aim to strengthen the protection of sensitive information that is crucial for national security and public safety. The act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 418.176, Government Code 418.177, Government Code 418.179, Government Code 418.180, Government Code 418.181, Government Code 418.182 (Government Code 418)
House Committee Report: Government Code 418.176, Government Code 418.177, Government Code 418.179, Government Code 418.180, Government Code 418.181, Government Code 418.182 (Government Code 418)
Engrossed: Government Code 418.176, Government Code 418.177, Government Code 418.179, Government Code 418.180, Government Code 418.181, Government Code 418.182 (Government Code 418)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 418.176, Government Code 418.177, Government Code 418.179, Government Code 418.180, Government Code 418.181, Government Code 418.182 (Government Code 418)
Enrolled: Government Code 418.176, Government Code 418.177, Government Code 418.179, Government Code 418.180, Government Code 418.181, Government Code 418.182 (Government Code 418)