Over-Classification Reduction Act

Bill: 110-hr-6575
Sponsor: Rep. Waxman, Henry A. [D-CA-30]
Introduced: 2008-07-23 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Armed Forces and National Security
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Classified defense information
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Employee training
Federal employees
Fines (Penalties)
Government contractors
Government paperwork
Identification devices
Inspectors general
Labor and Employment
Law
National Archives and Records Administration
Official secrets
Right of privacy
Security classification (Government documents)
Transfer of employees
Whistle blowing

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: 
Over-Classification Reduction Act - Requires the Archivist of the United States, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and the heads of other affected federal agencies, to promulgate regulations to prevent the over-classification of information.
 
 Requires the Inspector General of each federal agency to audit randomly classified information from each component of the agency with employees that have classification authority. 
 
Directs the Archivist to: (1) require personal identifiers of the employee or contractor at the time of such classification, including the individual's agency, office, and position; (2) require specified annual training for such individuals with classification authority and certain classified information responsibilities; and (3) implement a one-year detailee program for federal agency personnel, on a nonreimbursable basis, to the National Archives and Records Administration for training.
 


action_date: 2008-09-09
text: 
Over-Classification Reduction Act - Requires the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations to prevent the over-classification of information.

 Requires the Inspector General of each federal agency that employs an individual with original or derivative classification authority to randomly audit classified information from each agency component with employees that have classification authority. 

Directs the Archivist: (1) to require, at the time of classification of information, personal identifiers or unique agency identifiers of the individual applying classification markings, including the individual's agency, office, and position, to appear on the information; (2) when implementing the security education and training program pursuant to specified executive orders, to integrate training about the prevention of over-classification of information, the proper use of classification markings, the consequences of over-classification, and the lessons learned from implementation of the regulations; and (3) to implement a detailee program to detail federal agency personnel, on a nonreimbursable basis, to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for training.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-10
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2008-09-09
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-09-09
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7886)
action_date: 2008-09-09
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7886)
action_date: 2008-09-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6575.
action_date: 2008-09-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7886-7888)
action_date: 2008-09-09
text: Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 523.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 110-809.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 110-809.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Introduced in House