PRESS Act

Bill: 118-hr-4250
Sponsor: Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3]
Introduced: 2023-06-21 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Evidence and witnesses
Internet, web applications, social media
News media and reporting
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2023-06-21
text: 

Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act or the PRESS Act

 
This bill prohibits the federal government from compelling journalists and providers of telecommunications services (e.g., phone and internet companies) to disclose certain protected information, except in limited circumstances such as to prevent terrorism or imminent violence.
 
Specifically, the bill protects from disclosure any information identifying a source, as well as any records, contents of a communication, documents, or information obtained or created by journalists in the course of their work.
 
 Further, the bill protects specified third parties, such as telecommunications carriers or social media companies, from being compelled to provide testimony or any document consisting of a record, information, or other communication that is stored by the third party on behalf of a journalist.

action_date: 2023-12-05
text: 

Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act or the PRESS Act

 
This bill prohibits the federal government from compelling journalists and providers of telecommunications services (e.g., phone and internet companies) to disclose certain protected information, except in limited circumstances such as to prevent terrorism or imminent violence.
 
Specifically, the bill protects from disclosure any information identifying a source, as well as any records, contents of a communication, documents, or information obtained or created by journalists in the course of their work. 
 
Further, the bill protects specified third parties, such as telecommunications carriers or social media companies, from being compelled to provide testimony or any document consisting of a record, information, or other communication that is stored by the third party on behalf of a journalist.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-01-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2024-01-18
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-01-18
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 1/16/2024 CR H143)
action_date: 2024-01-18
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 1/16/2024 CR H143)
action_date: 2024-01-18
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H229)
action_date: 2024-01-16
text: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Kiley objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
action_date: 2024-01-16
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4250.
action_date: 2024-01-16
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H143-145)
action_date: 2024-01-16
text: Mr. Kiley moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2023-12-05
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 242.
action_date: 2023-12-05
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 118-299.
action_date: 2023-12-05
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 118-299.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
action_date: 2023-06-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-06-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-06-21
text: Introduced in House