NASCIO demands cybersecurity grant program reauthorization and FirstNet extension from Congress

The expiration of federal funding creates a significant gap in the defense of critical infrastructure, including public utilities and communications networks that support streaming and broadband delivery. As federal support for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center wanes, state and local entities face increased financial pressure to maintain secure digital operations. This push for reauthorization highlights a growing tension between state-led innovation and federal oversight, particularly regarding AI governance and public safety spectrum. Watch for the Senate's response to the PILLAR Act, which could secure program funding through 2033 and stabilize the long-term cybersecurity posture for regional infrastructure operators.

The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program has become a focal point for state CIOs seeking sustained federal investment in digital infrastructure defense. NASCIO Executive Director Doug Robinson has consistently framed the program as essential to protecting critical infrastructure, including broadband and communications networks that underpin streaming delivery. The program originally allocated $1 billion across four fiscal years beginning in 2022, with funds distributed through FEMA to states based on risk formulas, and the Center for Internet Security has served as a key technical partner helping states develop cybersecurity plans and implement zero-trust architectures. The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, operated by CIS, has provided threat intelligence and incident response coordination to over 1,200 state and local government members, making its continued funding a priority alongside the grant program itself.

Congressional dynamics around the reauthorization remain complex, with competing legislative vehicles and partisan disagreements over scope. The PILLAR Act, introduced in the Senate, would extend the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program through fiscal year 2033 and increase annual funding to $300 million, though the bill has not yet advanced to a floor vote. NASCIO's broader legislative agenda also intersects with the ongoing debate over federal preemption of state AI governance laws, a tension that has intensified as more than 30 states have introduced or enacted AI-related legislation since 2024. The organization's position reflects a wider state-level concern that federal frameworks could override tailored approaches to AI oversight in areas like public safety, procurement, and critical infrastructure protection.

FirstNet's authorization extension represents another pillar of NASCIO's congressional priorities, with direct implications for public safety communications infrastructure. FirstNet, built by AT&T on Band 14 spectrum, now covers more than 2.9 million square miles and serves over 6 million device connections as of mid-2026, providing dedicated broadband for first responders during emergencies. The network's legal authority was established under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, and without congressional reauthorization, its statutory basis could face uncertainty. NASCIO's push to extend FirstNet aligns with broader industry interest in maintaining dedicated public safety spectrum, which also supports rural broadband initiatives and emergency communications infrastructure that streaming platforms rely on for content delivery during disaster events.