Electronic Message Preservation Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1376
Sponsor: Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Digital media
Government information and archives
National Archives and Records Administration
Presidential administrations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 

Electronic Message Preservation Act of 2017

 
 This bill requires the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations governing federal agency preservation of electronic messages that are federal records and to periodically review and amend, as necessary, such regulations. Such regulations, at a minimum, must: (1) require the electronic capture, management, and preservation of such electronic records in accordance with the Federal Records Act; (2) require such records to be retrievable through electronic searches; and (3) include timelines for federal agency implementation of the regulations that ensure compliance as expeditiously as practicable. 
 
The Archivist must promulgate regulations that: (1) establish mandatory minimum functional requirements for electronic records management systems and a process to ensure that such systems meet the functional requirements; and (2) include requirements for the capture, management, and preservation of other electronic records. "Electronic records management system" means software designed to manage electronic records.
 
Federal agencies must report to the Archivist on agency compliance with the regulations and make such reports publicly available on the agency's website. 
 
The Archivist must: (1) establish standards for the management of electronic presidential records during a President's term of office, including records management controls necessary for the capture, management, and preservation of electronic messages and for ensuring that electronic messages are readily accessible for retrieval through electronic searches; (2) certify annually whether electronic records management controls established by a President meet the requirements of the Presidential Records Act; and (3) report annually on the status of such certification. 
 
The Archivist shall report to Congress one year after the conclusion of a President's term of office on: (1) the volume and format of electronic presidential records deposited into the presidential archival depository, and (2) whether electronic records management controls of a President met the requirements of this bill and the Presidential Records Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-17
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6199-6200)
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6199-6200)
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1376.
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6199-6200)
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: Mr. Walker moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 638.
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-824.
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-824.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in House