Citizen Empowerment Act

Bill: 113-hr-2711
Sponsor: Rep. Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2]
Introduced: 2013-07-17 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Evidence and witnesses
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2013-07-17
text: 
Citizen Empowerment Act - Requires any executive agency employee who is conducting an in-person or a telephonic interview, audit, investigation, inspection, or other official interaction with an individual relating to a possible violation of federal law that could result in the imposition of civil or criminal fines or penalties or the collection of unpaid tax to allow such individual to make an audio recording of the interaction.
 
Permits the employee conducting the interaction to record it if the employee: (1) informs the individual of the recording prior to or at the initiation of the interaction, and (2) provides the individual with a transcript of the recording at such individual's expense. 
 
Requires the employee conducting an initial in-person or telephonic interview or other interaction to provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of such individual's rights.
 
Exempts from the application of this Act any in-person or telephonic interview or other interaction that: (1) is likely to include the discussion of classified material or information that would endanger public safety if released publicly; or (2) if released, would endanger an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by a federal law enforcement officer. 

action_date: 2013-07-30
text: 
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. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-08-01
text: Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 322, H.R. 2711 is laid on the table.
action_date: 2013-07-31
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2013-07-31
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2711.
action_date: 2013-07-31
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5188-5193; text of measure as reported in House: CR H5188)
action_date: 2013-07-31
text: Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2013-07-30
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 132.
action_date: 2013-07-30
text: Committee on Judiciary discharged.
action_date: 2013-07-30
text: Committee on Judiciary discharged.
action_date: 2013-07-30
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 113-184, Part I.
action_date: 2013-07-30
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 113-184, Part I.
action_date: 2013-07-30
text: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Discharged.
action_date: 2013-07-24
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2013-07-24
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2013-07-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2013-07-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2013-07-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2013-07-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-07-17
text: Introduced in House