Citizen Empowerment Act

To amend title 5, United States Code, to establish certain procedures for conducting in-person or telephonic interactions by Executive branch employees with individuals, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Citizen Empowerment Act 2. Amendments (a) In general Part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 79, the following: 79A Services to members of the public Sec. 7921. Procedure for in-person and telephonic interactions conducted by Executive Branch employees. 7921. Procedure for in-person and telephonic interactions conducted by Executive Branch employees (a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to ensure that individuals have the right to record in-person and telephonic interactions with Executive agency employees and to ensure that individuals who are the target of enforcement actions conducted by Executive agency employees are notified of such right. (b) Definitions For purposes of this section— (1) the term telephonic (2) the term employee (c) Consent of Executive agency employees Participation by an employee, acting in an official capacity, in an in-person or telephonic interaction shall constitute consent by the employee to a recording of that interaction by any participant in the interaction. (d) Notice of rights when Federal employees engaged in certain actions A notice of an individual’s right to record conversations with employees shall be included in any written material provided by an Executive agency to the individual concerning an audit, investigation, inspection, or enforcement action that could result in the imposition of a fine, forfeiture of property, civil monetary penalty, or criminal penalty against, or the collection of an unpaid tax, fine, or penalty from, such individual or a business owned or operated by such individual. (e) Official representative Any person who is permitted to represent before an Executive agency an individual under this section shall receive the same notice as required under subsection (d) with respect to such individual. (f) No cause of action This section does not create any express or implied private right of action. (g) Disciplinary action An employee who violates this section shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with otherwise applicable provisions of law. (h) Public information concerning right to record (1) Posting on agency Web sites Within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Executive agency shall post prominently on its Web site information explaining the right of individuals to record interactions with employees. (2) OMB guidance Within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Office of Management and Budget shall issue guidance to Executive agencies concerning implementation of paragraph (1). . (b) Clerical Amendment The analysis for part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 79 the following: 79A. Services to members of the public 7921 . July 30, 2013 Reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform July 30, 2013 The Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: Citizen Empowerment Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to ensure that individuals have the right to record in-person and telephonic interactions with executive agency employees and that they are notified of such right when they are the target of an enforcement action (e.g., audit, investigation, inspection, or action that could result in criminal or civil fines or the collection of unpaid tax). Provides that participation by an employee, acting in an official capacity, in an in-person or telephonic interaction shall constitute consent by such employee to a recording of that interaction by any participant in the interaction. Requires written notice to an individual or a representative of the right to record conversations involving an enforcement action. Makes any employee who violates the requirements of this Act subject to disciplinary action. Requires: (1) each executive agency to post on its website information explaining the right of individuals to record interactions with employees, and (2) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance to executive agencies on implementation of the requirement to provide such information.