National Security Letters Reform Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-3189
Sponsor: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-8]
Introduced: 2007-07-26 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Civil actions and liability
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Criminal investigation
Emergency Management
Evidence (Law)
Foreign agents
Government Operations and Politics
Injunctions
International Affairs
Judicial review
Law
Right of privacy
Subpoena
Sunset legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: 
National Security Letters Reform Act of 2007 - Prohibits a national security letter (letter) (a request for information sought by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in connection with a criminal investigation) from being issued unless the issuing official certifies specific facts providing reason to believe that the information or records sought pertain to a foreign power or agent thereof. Prohibits a letter from being issued in connection with an investigation of a U.S. person solely upon the basis of activities protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
 
Prohibits: (1) a letter from containing unreasonable requirements or requiring privileged matter; or (2) disclosing to a person that the FBI has sought or obtained access to information under a letter for 30 days after receipt of the FBI's request for such information. Authorizes judicial review for the modification or revocation of a letter.
 
Provides limited uses of information acquired through a letter. Allows persons against whom evidence obtained from a letter is to be used to file a motion to suppress.
 
Provides a civil cause of action for the misuse of letters. Requires the authority to issue letters to revert, five years after the enactment of this Act, to that provided by law on October 25, 2001.
 
Requires the Attorney General to: (1) undertake minimization and destruction procedures with respect to information acquired through letters; and (2) report semiannually on the number and use of letters. Requires the disposal of wrongly acquired information.
 
Revises requirements relating to claims of emergency in connection with certain letters. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-24
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 7 - 3 .
action_date: 2008-06-24
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2007-09-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2007-09-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-07-26
text: Introduced in House