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. Procedures for in-person and telephonic interactions conducted by executive branch employees. 7921. Procedures for in-person and telephonic interactions conducted by executive branch employees (a) Definitions For purposes of this section— (1) the term covered interaction (2) the term State (3) the term telephonic (b) Recording of enforcement actions (1) Recording by individuals Any employee of an Executive agency who is conducting a covered interaction with an individual shall allow the individual to make an audio recording of the covered interaction at the individual’s own expense and with the individual’s own equipment. (2) Recording by Federal employees Any employee of an Executive agency that is conducting a covered interaction may record that interaction if the employee— (A) informs the individual of the recording prior to or at the initiation of the interaction; and (B) upon request of the individual, provides the individual with a transcript or copy of the recording, but only if the individual provides reimbursement for the cost of the transcription and reproduction of the transcript or copy. (c) Explanations of rights (1) In general Any employee of an Executive agency shall, before or at an initial covered interaction, provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of the individual’s rights under this section. (2) Separate notifications for separate violations Paragraph (1) shall not, for purposes of any covered interaction, be considered satisfied based on a notification previously given if that previous notification was given in the case of a possible or alleged violation separate from the possible or alleged violation at hand. (d) Application to official representative or those holding power of attorney Any person who is permitted to represent, before an Executive agency described in subsection (b)(1), an individual permitted to make an audio recording under that subsection of a covered interaction conducted by an employee of that Executive agency— (1) shall be permitted— (A) to make an audio recording under subsection (b)(1) as if the person were the individual; and (B) to receive a transcript or copy of an audio recording under subsection (b)(2) as if the person were the individual; (2) shall receive the same notice as that which is required to be provided to the individual under subsection (c); and (3) with respect to an audio recording (as referred to in paragraph (1)(A)) and a transcript or copy of a recording (as referred to in paragraph (1)(B)), shall have the same rights as described in subsection (e). (e) Property of audio recording Any audio recording or transcript of an audio recording made by an individual under subsection (b)(1) or provided to an individual under subsection (b)(2)(B) shall be the property of the individual. (f) No cause of action This section does not create any express or implied private right of action. (g) Exceptions (1) Classified information, public safety, criminal investigation This section shall not apply to any covered interaction that is likely to include the discussion of— (A) classified material; (B) information that, if released publicly, would endanger public safety; or (C) information that, if released publicly, would endanger an ongoing criminal investigation conducted by a Federal law enforcement officer (as defined in section 2 of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008 ( 42 U.S.C. 15231 (2) Determination by employees An employee of an Executive agency who determines that an exception under paragraph (1) applies to a covered interaction or series of covered interactions shall provide written notification of the determination to any person who would otherwise be permitted to make an audio recording of the interaction or interactions under subsection (b)(1) or (d). (h) Prior law For the purposes set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b), this section supersedes section 2511(2)(d) of title 18 and any provision of Federal or State law insofar as such section or provision relates to the recording of an interaction that is a covered interaction. (i) Disciplinary action An employee of an Executive agency who violates this section shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with otherwise applicable provisions of law. . (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 .

Summary: Citizen Empowerment Act Requires any executive agency employee who is conducting a covered interaction with an individual to allow the individual to make an audio recording of such interaction at the individual's expense and with the individual's equipment. Defines "covered interaction" as an in-person or telephonic official interaction relating to a possible violation of a federal statute or regulation that could result in the imposition of a fine or penalty against, the forfeiture of property by, or the collection of an unpaid tax, fine, or penalty from, the individual or a business owned or operated by the individual. Permits the employee conducting a covered interaction to record it if the employee: (1) informs the individual prior to or at the initiation of the interaction, and (2) provides the individual with a transcript or copy of the recording upon request and with the individual's reimbursement. Requires the employee, before or at an initial covered interaction, to provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of such individual's rights under this Act. Exempts any such interaction that is likely to include the discussion of: (1) classified material; or (2) information that, if released publicly, would endanger public safety or an ongoing criminal investigation. Subjects any executive agency employee who violates this Act to disciplinary action.