House Bill 671 Summary

• Creates a Class F felony offense for willfully or maliciously destroying, injuring, or damaging public infrastructure or public transportation systems, effective December 1, 2023.

• Establishes civil liability allowing injured parties to recover treble damages, costs, and attorneys' fees from violators and those who aid, abet, or conspire in the violation.

• Creates the Cyber Security Fund with $25 million appropriated for each of fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to upgrade state and local government IT infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities.

• Establishes the North Carolina Cybersecurity Commission to award competitive grants, develop cybersecurity standards and best practices, and advise on cyberattack response.

• Creates the Utility Securitization Trust Fund with $25 million appropriated for each of fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to strengthen public utility infrastructure security and resilience against attacks.