zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Classified Information Procedures Reform and Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends the Classified Information Procedures Act, with respect to the use and disclosure of classified information in legal proceedings, to: (1) allow ex parte pretrial conferences to protect national security; (2) expand protective orders to limit the use of or access to classified information; (3) expand discovery rules to restrict access to classified information, other than documents; (4) expand a defendant's notice requirement to include intent to use classified information; (5) establish additional standards for the admissibility, use, and disclosure of classified information at trial; (6) expand the interlocutory appeal rights of the United States; and (7) allow a court to fashion alternative procedures to prevent unnecessary disclosures of classified information at trial.

Date: 2010-12-20
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Securing Human Intelligence and Enforcing Lawful Dissemination Act or the SHIELD Act - Amends the federal criminal code to expand the prohibition against disclosure of classified information to include: (1) disclosures of classified information that benefit a transnational threat; and (2) any classified information concerning the human intelligence activities of the United States or any foreign government or concerning the identity of a classified source or informant of an element of the U.S. intelligence community. Defines "transnational threat" as: (1) any activity, including international terrorism, narcotics trafficking, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the delivery systems for such weapons, or organized crime, that threatens the national security of the United States; or (2) any individual or group that engages such activity.

Date: 2011-02-15
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
EMP Weapons Accountability Assessment Act - Requires the Director of National Intelligence to report to the congressional intelligence and defense committees on the research, development, testing, and deployment programs of foreign countries relating to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons and associated delivery systems and platforms. Directs that such report identify each country pursuing an EMP weapons program and describe the scope of each such program.

Date: 2011-06-24
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
WMD Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2012 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) support homeland security-focused intelligence analysis of terrorist actors, their claims, and their plans to conduct attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials against the nation and of global biological threats, including global infectious disease, public health, food, agricultural, and veterinary issues, through activities such as engagement of international partners; (2) support homeland security-focused risk analysis and risk assessments of such homeland security hazards by providing relevant quantitative and nonquantitative threat information; (3) leverage homeland security intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with respect to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack; and (4) share information and provide tailored analytical support on these threats to state, local, and tribal authorities as well as other national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders. Requires the Office to coordinate with other DHS components, the Intelligence Community, and federal, state, local, and tribal authorities where appropriate and enable such entities to provide recommendations on optimal information sharing mechanisms and on how they can provide information to DHS.Directs the Secretary of DHS to report annually on: (1) intelligence and information sharing activities to counter the threat from weapons of mass destruction, and (2) DHS's activities in accordance with relevant intelligence strategies.Requires the Secretary to ensure that homeland security information analyzed by DHS concerning terrorist threats is provided to state, local, and private entities and the public.

Date: 2011-08-01
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Emergency management
Stop Subsidizing Hollywood Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Defense, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and any other federal officer or employee from providing any information about the mission to kill Osama bin Laden to any person outside the federal government until the completion of an investigation and classified briefing to Congress by the Inspectors General of the Department of Defense (DOD) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Requires such investigation and briefing to consider, at a minimum, all the questions set forth in the letter of August 9, 2011, from the Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security to such Inspectors General. Directs the Secretary to: (1) determine the full costs of operations for providing assistance to entertainment media by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, and (2) require that fees charged to persons receiving such assistance be adequate to cover such full costs.

Date: 2011-08-12
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Protecting U.S. Missile Defense Information Act of 2012 - Prohibits Department of Defense (DOD) funds for FY2012-FY2013 from being used to provide the Russian Federation with access to: (1) U.S. missile defense technology, including hit-to-kill technology; or (2) data that supports U.S. missile defense capabilities. Prohibits such funds from being used to provide the Russian Federation with access to U.S. missile defense technology or data other than that described above unless, at least 30 days in advance, the President describes to Congress the data to be provided, along with a certification relating to the use of, and third-party access to, such data. Expresses the sense of Congress that an agreement regarding missile defense cooperation between the United States and the Russian Federation that is negotiated through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or a provision to amend the charter of the NATO-Russia Council shall not be legally or politically binding unless it is either specifically approved with the advice and consent of the Senate, or specifically authorized by an Act of Congress. Provides that no agreement with any country or international organization or amendment to the New START Treaty concerning limitations on U.S. missile defense capabilities shall be binding on the United States unless such agreement or amendment is either approved or authorized as above. Directs the President, beginning in 2013, to provide annual notification to Congress as to whether: (1) the Russian Federation has recognized the sovereign right of the United States to pursue improvements in missile defense capabilities; and (2) any Russian Federation representative has suggested that a treaty or other international agreement include provisions restricting U.S. missile defense capabilities or reducing the number of non-strategic nuclear weapons deployed in Europe. Prohibits DOD funds for FY2012 and thereafter from being used to implement a defense technology cooperation agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation until 60 days after the President transmits such agreement to Congress. Prohibits the use of any FY2012-FY2013 DOD or Department of State funds for travel expenses related to missile defense matters with the Russian Federation until 30 days after the President transmits to Congress the draft agreement discussed at Deauville, France, in May 2011.

Date: 2012-03-01
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
State Secrets Protection Act - Amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to declare that, in any civil action brought in federal or state court, the government has a privilege to refuse to give information and to prevent any person from giving information only if the government shows that public disclosure of the information that the government seeks to protect would be reasonably likely to cause significant harm to the national defense or the diplomatic relations of the United States. Requires the court to take steps, which may include in camera and ex parte hearings and other security procedures, to protect sensitive information that comes before it. Sets forth the court's authority regarding the participation of counsel, appointment of a guardian ad litem to represent an absent litigant's interests, and the disclosure of information when it presents a risk of harm. Provides for court-ordered presentation of adequate or nonprivileged substitutes (redacted copies, summary of information, stipulation of facts) for privileged information. Allows the government to: (1) assert the privilege in connection with any claim in a civil action to which it is a party, or (2) intervene in a civil action to which it is not a party in order to do so. Provides that once the government has asserted the privilege, and before the court makes any determinations, the court shall: (1) undertake a preliminary review of the information in question, and (2) provide the government an opportunity to seek protective measures under this Act. Establishes procedures and a standard for assessing the privilege claim. Requires the court, if it determines that the privilege is not validly asserted, to issue appropriate orders regarding the disclosure of the information to a nongovernmental party and its admission at trial, with the right to an interlocutory appeal for any such orders. Prohibits such disclosure or admission if the privilege is determined valid. Grants the courts of appeal jurisdiction of an appeal from a decision or order of a district court determining that the state secrets privilege is not validly asserted, sanctioning a refusal to provide an adequate or nonprivileged substitute, or refusing protective steps sought by the government pending the resolution of the claim of state secrets privilege.

Date: 2012-06-18
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Law
Syria Non-Intervention Act of 2012 - Prohibits any funds available to the Department of Defense (DOD) or an element of the intelligence community from being obligated or expended for supporting, directly or indirectly, military or paramilitary operations in Syria by any nation, group, organization, movement, or individual. Provides an exception in the case of a declaration of war against Syria by the United States.

Date: 2012-06-21
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Foreign and Economic Espionage Penalty Enhancement Act of 2012 - Amends the federal criminal code to increase the maximum fine for economic espionage (i.e., stealing or obtaining, duplicating or conveying, or buying or possessing trade secrets without authorization, intending or knowing that the offense will benefit any foreign government, foreign instrumentality, or foreign agent) committed by individuals (from $500,000 to $5 million) or by organizations (from $10 million to $10 million or 3 times the value of the stolen trade secret to the organization). Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to offenses relating to the transmission of a stolen trade secret outside of the United States or economic espionage in order to reflect the intent of Congress that penalties for such offenses reflect the seriousness of, and potential and actual harm caused by, such offenses and provide adequate deterrence. Directs the Commission to: (1) consider the extent to which such guidelines and statements appropriately account for the simple misappropriation of a trade secret; (2) consider whether additional enhancements are appropriate to account for any transmission of a stolen trade secret outside of the United States and any such transmission that is committed for the benefit of a foreign government, instrumentality, or agent; and (3) ensure reasonable consistency with other relevant directives, guidelines and statements, and related federal statutes.

Date: 2012-06-27
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Securing Human Intelligence and Enforcing Lawful Dissemination Act or the SHIELD Act - Amends the federal criminal code to expand the prohibition against disclosure of classified information to include: (1) disclosures of classified information that benefit a transnational threat, and (2) any classified information concerning the human intelligence activities of the United States or any foreign government or concerning the identity of a classified source or informant of an element of the U.S. intelligence community. Defines "transnational threat" as: (1) any activity, including international terrorism, narcotics trafficking, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the delivery systems for such weapons, or organized crime, that threatens the national security of the United States; or (2) any individual or group that engages such activity.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Classified Information Procedures Reform and Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the Classified Information Procedures Act, with respect to the use and disclosure of classified information in legal proceedings, to: (1) allow ex parte pretrial conferences where the presence of both parties reasonably could be expected to cause damage to national security or the defendant's ability to make a defense; (2) expand protective orders to limit the use of or access to classified information; (3) expand discovery rules to restrict access to classified information, other than documents; (4) expand a defendant's notice requirement to include intent to use classified information; (5) establish additional standards for the admissibility, use, and disclosure of classified information at trial; (6) expand the interlocutory appeal rights of the United States; and (7) allow a court to fashion alternative procedures to prevent unnecessary disclosures of classified information at trial.

Date: 2011-02-15
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to require the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in an application for a court order requesting access to business records and other tangible evidence in connection with a foreign intelligence investigation, to include a statement that the information sought is relevant to an authorized investigation to obtain information not concerning a U.S. person or to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities and either: (1) pertains to a foreign power or agent of a foreign power, (2) is relevant to the activities of a suspected agent of a foreign power who is the subject of the investigation, or (3) pertains to an individual in contact with, or known to, a suspected agent of a foreign power. Requires such statement to enumerate the minimization (protection) procedures adopted by the Attorney General applicable to FBI retention and dissemination of any information made available. Excepts from such requirements any court order issued prior to September 30, 2011.

Date: 2011-02-17
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Enemy Expatriation Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include engaging in or purposefully and materially supporting hostilities against the United States to the list of acts for which U.S. nationals would lose their nationality. Defines "hostilities" as any conflict subject to the laws of war.

Date: 2011-10-12
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Immigration
Bringing Fugitives to Justice Act - Creates in the Treasury a Fugitive Extradition and Apprehension Trust Fund (FEATF), into which shall be deposited the proceeds of forfeited appearance bonds, bail bonds, and collateral collected for failure to appear in court as required by the conditions of release or to surrender for service of sentence pursuant to a court order. (Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to repeal a provision requiring such proceeds to be deposited in the Crime Victims Fund.) Requires FEATF funds to be obligated and expended by the Attorney General for: (1) the United States Marshals Service to enhance efforts to investigate and apprehend fugitives, (2) the Offices of the United States Attorneys to enhance efforts to investigate and prosecute fugitives, and (3) the Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to coordinate the investigation and extradition or other legal rendition of international fugitives.

Date: 2012-03-12
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
FAA Sunsets Extension Act of 2012 - Amends the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend until June 1, 2015: (1) the date for repeal of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (procedures concerning the electronic surveillance of certain persons outside the United States for foreign intelligence information purposes); and (2) any order, authorization, or directive issued or made under that title. Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 relating to the surveillance of persons located outside the United States for the acquisition of foreign intelligence information to require compliance reviews of surveillance targeting and minimization procedures to be provided to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community. Authorizes such Inspector General to review the acquisition, use, and dissemination of surveillance information acquired in order to review compliance with the targeting and minimization procedures as well as compliance guidelines. Requires such Inspector General to: (1) review such procedures and guidelines with respect to the privacy rights of U.S. persons; (2) report review results to the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and the congressional intelligence and judiciary committees; and (3) consistent with the protection of national security, make review findings and conclusions available to the public. Directs the head of each intelligence community element with approved targeting and minimization procedures to conduct an annual review to determine whether foreign intelligence information has been or will be obtained from the surveillance. Requires such review to include the number of targets subsequently determined to be U.S. persons located in the United States.

Date: 2012-06-07
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Requires funds appropriated for an intelligence or intelligence-related activity that are in excess of the amount specified for such activity in the funding tables accompanying the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to be specifically authorized by Congress, as required under the National Security Act of 1947.

Date: 2012-06-19
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Amends the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 (STOCK Act) to extend through September 30, 2012, the requirement that the Secretary of the Senate, the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House of Representatives ensure that financial disclosure forms filed by Members, candidates for Congress, and congressional officers and employees, in calendar year 2012 and subsequent years be made available to the public on the respective official Senate and House websites within 30 days after filing. Extends through the same date the requirement that the President ensure that financial disclosure forms filed in calendar year 2012 and subsequent years by executive branch employees are publicly available on appropriate official websites of executive branch agencies within 30 days after such forms are filed. Declares that, effective September 30, 2012, with respect to the requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as added by the STOCK Act, that Members of Congress and congressional officers and employees required to file periodic transaction reports (PTRs) with the Clerk of the House file promptly reports on certain financial transactions, such PTRs shall include information on the sources of income of their spouses or children, but only with respect to any transaction exceeding $1,000 in stocks, bonds, commodities futures, and other forms of securities.

Date: 2012-08-02
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Protect America's Privacy Act of 2012 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to prohibit the targeting of a person outside the United States when a significant purpose of the acquisition is to acquire the communications of a particular, known person reasonably believed to be within the United States, except in accordance with FISA title I (Electronic Surveillance). Prohibits receiving into evidence any information obtained in an acquisition against any U.S. person for which a deficiency in the procedures for acquiring such information is identified by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Provides an exception if the government corrects any deficiencies so identified, at that time permitting use or disclosure under such minimization procedures as the Court shall establish for such purposes. Prohibits a communication from being acquired under FISA title VII if the government knows before or at the time of acquisition that the communication is to, or from, a person reasonably believed to be in the United States. Provides exceptions when there is reason to believe that: (1) the communication concerns international terrorist activities directed against the United States or activities in preparation therefor; (2) the target reasonably believed to be outside the United States is an agent of a foreign group engaged in international terrorism or activities in preparation therefor; or (3) the acquisition is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm. Requires the government to separately handle or otherwise manage a communication acquired under title VII to, or from, a person reasonably believed to be in the United States so that there shall be no access to the communication, except in accordance with title I or provisions of this paragraph. Allows the access to, and use of, such acquisition for up to seven days if there are conditions similar to the above exceptions. Requires annual audits from the Inspectors General of the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning implementation of, and compliance with, this paragraph.

Date: 2012-08-02
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Theft of Trade Secrets Clarification Act of 2012 - Amends the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 to apply the prohibition against the theft of trade secrets to a trade secret that is related to a product or service used in or intended for use in interstate or foreign commerce (currently, a trade secret that is related to or included in a product that is produced for or placed in interstate or foreign commerce).

Date: 2012-11-27
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

WMD Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2013 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) support homeland security-focused intelligence analysis of terrorist actors, their claims, and their plans to conduct attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials against the nation and of global infectious disease, public health, food, agricultural, and veterinary issues; (2) support homeland security-focused risk analysis and risk assessments of such homeland security hazards by providing relevant quantitative and nonquantitative threat information; (3) leverage homeland security intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with respect to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack; and (4) share information and provide tailored analytical support on these threats to state, local, and tribal authorities as well as other national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders.

Requires the Office to coordinate with other DHS components, the Intelligence Community, and federal, state, local, and tribal authorities where appropriate and enable such entities to provide recommendations on optimal information sharing mechanisms and on how they can provide information to DHS.

Directs the Secretary of DHS to report annually on: (1) intelligence and information sharing activities to counter the threat from weapons of mass destruction, and (2) DHS's activities in accordance with relevant intelligence strategies.

Requires the Secretary to ensure that homeland security information analyzed by DHS concerning terrorist threats is provided to state, local, and private entities and the public.

Date: 2013-04-12
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Emergency management
No More Ghost Money Act - Prohibits any federal department, agency, or federal government contractor from making a monetary payment to any official of a foreign country for the purposes of bribery, coercion, or any illegal activity that undermines the rule of law or corrupts a public official. Requires the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to report to Congress on all monetary payments made by the CIA to officials of the Government of Afghanistan on or after September 11, 2001. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act if compliance would harm U.S. national security or members of the Armed Forces.

Date: 2013-05-22
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Drones Accountability Act - Prohibits the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from operating or controlling armed unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) or combat aircraft.

Prohibit any member of the U.S. Armed Forces and any other employee or contractor of the Department of Defense (DOD) from carrying out an order or authorization from any CIA employee or contractor to use lethal force.

Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to report to Congress on: (1) the existence and sufficiency of civilian protection mechanisms in accordance with international law concerning armed operations that use unmanned aerial operations; (2) the methodology used to distinguish combatants from civilians before armed operations and after a strike has occurred; (3) the existence and sufficiency of standards for the identification of targets and the sufficiency of intelligence sources and analysis where there is limited U.S. ground presence; and (4) the existence and sufficiency of processes for recognizing the effects of drone strikes on the organization being targeted and on the country or region in which the strike takes place.

Requires the DOD, Department of Justice (DOJ), and CIA, once every three months, to provide Congress with all legal opinions giving advice with regard the authority to use lethal force in order to justify operations.

Expresses the sense of Congress that a moratorium must be enforced against the lethal use of armed unmanned aerial vehicles until the Administration has presented, and Congress has approved, sufficient safeguards and sufficient oversight addressing the concerns highlighted in the report required by this Act.

Bars, until such safeguards are in place, the obligation or expenditure of any funding available for the Armed Forces or the CIA for the purpose of using lethal force against an individual unless: (1) that individual presents an imminent threat to the United States, (2) lethal force is the last resort, and (3) the harm caused to civilians or civilian property is proportional and does not violate international humanitarian law.

Date: 2013-05-23
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Civilian Contractors Engaged in Intelligence Activities Reduction Act of 2013 - Requires the Director of National Intelligence: (1) to study the extent to which contractors are used in the conduct of intelligence activities and the type of information to which such contractors have access; (2) by December 31, 2013, to submit a report containing the results of the study and a plan for reducing the number of intelligence community contractors with top secret security clearances that are engaged in intelligence activities, including analysis, by 25%; and (3) by December 31, 2014, to make such reduction.

Date: 2013-06-19
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
FISA Court in the Sunshine Act of 2013 - Expresses the sense of Congress that each decision, order, or opinion ("decision," for purposes of this Act) issued by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review that includes significant construction or interpretation of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) provisions concerning access to business records and the targeting of persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States to acquire foreign intelligence information should be declassified in a manner consistent with the protection of national security, intelligence sources and methods, and other properly classified and sensitive information.

Amends FISA provisions concerning access to business records and the targeting of persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States to require the Attorney General, with exceptions, to declassify and make publicly available decisions concerning certain surveillance orders required for inclusion in a semiannual report to Congress. Requires release to the public of unclassified summaries and reports if the Attorney General determines that a decision may not be declassified.

Requires the Attorney General, in cases in which an unclassified summary may not be made available, to make publicly available an unclassified report on the status of the internal deliberations and process regarding the declassification by executive branch personnel of such decisions, including estimates of the number of decisions that will be declassified or remain classified.

Date: 2013-06-19
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Ending Secret Law Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that each decision, order, or opinion ("decision," for purposes of this Act) issued by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review that includes significant construction or interpretation of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) provisions concerning access to business records and the targeting of persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States to acquire foreign intelligence information should be declassified in a manner consistent with the protection of national security, intelligence sources and methods, and other properly classified and sensitive information. Amends FISA provisions concerning access to business records and the targeting of persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States to require the Attorney General, with exceptions, to declassify and make publicly available decisions concerning certain surveillance orders required for inclusion in a semiannual report to Congress. Requires release to the public of unclassified summaries and reports if the Attorney General determines that a decision may not be declassified.

Requires the Attorney General, in cases in which an unclassified summary may not be made available, to make publicly available an unclassified report on the status of the internal deliberations and process regarding the declassification by executive branch personnel of such decisions, including estimates of the number of decisions that will be declassified or remain classified.

Date: 2013-06-20
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
FISA Court Accountability Act - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to require the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to consist of 11 publicly designated district court judges, of whom 3 judges are designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and 2 judges each are designated, respectively, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate. (Currently, the Chief Justice designates all 11 judges.)

Requires any authority exercised by the court en banc (consisting of all judges who constitute the court when an en banc proceeding is ordered by a majority of the judges in certain circumstances) to be exercised only when agreed to by at least 60% of the judges sitting en banc.

Directs the Chief Justice, the Speaker, and the majority leader of the Senate (or, if the majority leader is a member of the same political party as the Speaker, the minority leader of the Senate) to each publicly designate one judge from the U.S. district courts or courts of appeals who together shall comprise the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review. (Currently, the Chief Justice designates all three of such judges.) Allows such court to decide in favor of the government only if the decision of the reviewing judges is unanimous.

Directs the Attorney General (DOJ) to submit to Congress a copy of any decision, order, or opinion issued by each court (currently, only those issuances with a significant construction or interpretation of FISA) along with an unclassified summary of each such decision, order, or opinion.

Date: 2013-06-28
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Law
Relevancy Act - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to authorize the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to apply for an order requiring the production of tangible things pursuant to an investigation to obtain foreign intelligence information not concerning a U.S. person or to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities only if the subject of such investigation is a specific person or a specific group of persons.

Date: 2013-06-28
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2013 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to authorize an entity that is required to comply with an order or directive issued by a FISA court under such Act to make publicly available every 90 days with respect to the preceding 90-day period: (1) the aggregate number of orders or directives with which such entity was required to comply; (2) a general description of the types of assistance, information, or tangible things such entity was required to provide pursuant to such orders or directives; (3) the aggregate number of each type of assistance, information, or tangible things such entity was required to provide pursuant to such orders or directives; and (4) the aggregate number of user accounts with respect to which such entity was required to provide assistance, information, or tangible things pursuant to such orders or directives.

Date: 2013-07-18
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Surveillance State Repeal Act - Repeals the USA PATRIOT Act and the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (thereby restoring or reviving provisions amended or repealed by such Acts as if such Acts had not been enacted), except with respect to reports to Congress regarding court orders under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) and the acquisition of intelligence information concerning an entity not substantially composed of U.S. persons that is engaged in the international proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Extends from 7 to 10 years the maximum term of FISA judges. Makes such judges eligible for redesignation.

 Permits FISA courts to appoint special masters to advise on technical issues raised during proceedings.

Requires orders approving certain electronic surveillance to direct that, upon request of the applicant, any person or entity must furnish all information, facilities, or technical assistance necessary to accomplish such surveillance in a manner to protect its secrecy and produce a minimum of interference with the services that such carrier, landlord, custodian, or other person is providing the target of such surveillance (thereby retaining the ability to conduct surveillance on such targets regardless of the type of communications methods or devices being used by the subject of the surveillance).

Prohibits information relating to a U.S. person from being acquired pursuant to FISA without a valid warrant based on probable cause.

Prohibits the federal government from requiring manufacturers of electronic devices and related software to build in mechanisms allowing the federal government to bypass encryption or privacy technology.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to report annually on the federal government's compliance with FISA.

Permits an employee of or contractor to an element of the intelligence community with knowledge of FISA-authorized programs and activities to submit a covered complaint to the Comptroller General, to the House or Senate intelligence committees, or in accordance with a process under the National Security Act of 1947 with respect to reports made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community. Defines a "covered complaint" as a complaint or information concerning FISA-authorized programs and activities that an employee or contractor reasonably believes is evidence of: (1) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or (2) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. Subjects an officer or employee of an element of the intelligence community to administrative sanctions, including termination, for taking retaliatory action against an employee or contractor who seeks to disclose, or who discloses, such information.

Date: 2013-07-24
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Privacy Advocate General Act of 2013 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to establish as an independent office in the executive branch the Office of the Privacy Advocate General, to be headed by the Privacy Advocate General who shall be appointed jointly by the Chief Justice of the United States and the senior Associate Justice for a seven-year term.

Requires the Privacy Advocate General to: (1) serve as the opposing counsel with respect to any application by the federal government for an order or directive and any review of a certification or targeting procedures under FISA; and (2) oppose any federal government request for an order or directive under FISA and any certification or targeting procedures and argue the merits of the opposition before the FISA court, including any arguments relating to constitutionality. Authorizes the Privacy Advocate General to: (1) request that the FISA court make publicly available an order, decision, or opinion of the court; and (2) file appeals and petition the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari.

Authorizes a FISA judge, after denying an application by the federal government to permit electronic surveillance, physical searches, and the installation and use of a pen register and trace device, to issue a temporary order allowing such surveillance, searches, and installation pending an appeal by the government, if the judge finds: (1) there is a reasonable argument that such surveillance, search, or installation is permissible; and (2) there are exceptional circumstances and compelling evidence showing that immediate electronic surveillance, physical searches, and installation of pen register and trace devices are necessary to accomplish the government's purpose. Requires the destruction of any information gathered or derived from such electronic surveillance, searches, and installation of pen register and trace devices if the government's application is denied on appeal.

Date: 2013-07-30
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
NSA Accountability Act - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) (as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act) to require the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (in some cases, on behalf of the National Security Agency [NSA]), in applications for court orders requiring the production of tangible things (commonly referred to as business records, including books, records, papers, documents, and other items) for an investigation to obtain foreign intelligence information not concerning a U.S. person or to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, to include a statement of specific and articulable facts showing reasonable grounds to believe that such things are relevant and material to an authorized investigation. (Currently, a general statement of facts must only show that the tangible things are relevant to an authorized investigation.)

Requires that the items sought pertain only to an individual that is the subject of such investigation.

Removes a list of production items currently designated as presumptively relevant. (Currently, tangible things are considered to be presumptively relevant if the government shows that they pertain to a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power, the activities of a suspected agent of a foreign power who is the subject of such authorized investigation, or an individual in contact with, or known to, a suspected agent of a foreign power who is the subject of such authorized investigation.)

Requires, in the case of a violation of the requirements addressing production orders for tangible things, that all unobligated funds made available to carry out such activities in the fiscal year be withheld for the period beginning on the date of such violation until September 30 of such fiscal year.

Date: 2013-09-09
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Intelligence Oversight and Accountability Act of 2013 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to revise congressional reporting requirements with respect to FISA court decisions.

Requires the Attorney General (DOJ), within 45 days after the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review issues a decision, order, or opinion that includes a denial or modification of a request for an order, or that results in a change of application or a new application of FISA, to submit to Congress a copy of such decision and any associated pleadings, applications, or memoranda of law. (Currently, the Attorney General submits such materials only with respect to decisions that the Attorney General determines are a significant construction or interpretation of FISA.)

Directs the Attorney General to include with such court documents a brief statement (a summary) of the relevant background factual information, questions of law, legal analysis, and decision rendered.

Date: 2013-09-16
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Ensuring Adversarial Process in the FISA Court Act - Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to require the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (an independent agency that reviews executive branch actions taken to protect the nation from terrorism in order to ensure a balance with privacy and civil liberties) to appoint: (1) attorneys to serve as public interest advocates in proceedings before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), a judge of the petition review pool, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review (FISCR), and the Supreme Court under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA); and (2) technical and subject-matter experts (including experts of computer networks, telecommunications, encryption, and cybersecurity), not employed by the federal government, to be available to assist such advocates in performing their duties.

Requires such courts, in any matter involving a significant interpretation or construction of FISA, to appoint at least one public interest advocate who will: (1) participate fully with the same rights and privileges as the federal government; (2) represent the interests of the people of the United States in preserving privacy and civil liberties, including with respect to rights under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution; and (3) have access to all relevant evidence as well as the authority to petition the court to order the government to produce other necessary evidence.

Authorizes such advocates to file motions and briefs, respond to motions or filings made by the federal government, and request rehearings or en banc consideration of a decision.

Permits the FISC to request review by the FISCR, and permits the FISCR to request review by the Supreme Court, when matters before such courts in which a public interest advocate has been appointed involve a question of law in which there is substantial ground for difference of opinion.

Requires the United States and the public interest advocate, when a court has requested such a review, to be given an opportunity to provide written briefs or arguments related to a decision by the FISCR or the Supreme Court to review a ruling.

Allows each relevant court, upon a finding that it would benefit from additional views, to permit participation by amicus curiae.

Date: 2013-09-20
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
FISA Court Oversight Underscoring Responsibility and Transparency Act or the FISA COURT Act - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to require the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to consist of 11 publicly designated district court judges, of whom:

 2 judges are designated by the President; 1 judge is designated by a majority of the Supreme Court; and 2 judges each are designated, respectively, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate. (Currently, the Chief Justice designates all 11 judges.)

Requires a majority of the Supreme Court (currently, the Chief Justice alone) to designate three judges from the U.S. district courts or courts of appeals who shall comprise the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review.

Requires the Attorney General (DOJ) to make publicly available: (1) copies of FISA court decisions, orders, pleadings, applications, and memoranda currently submitted to Congress, subject to the authority of the Attorney General to waive such public availability requirements for national security purposes; and (2) a quarterly estimate of the number of waivers along with the reasons for such waivers.

Date: 2013-09-26
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Law
Prohibits the President from authorizing or permitting the construction of a satellite positioning ground monitoring station directly or indirectly controlled by a foreign government on U.S. soil until the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) jointly certify to Congress that such station will not possess the capability or potential to be used to gather intelligence or improve foreign weapons systems.

Directs the Secretary, DNI, and the Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command to jointly report to Congress regarding the use of such stations by foreign governments to gather intelligence or improve the accuracy of missile guidance systems.

Date: 2013-11-21
Topic: Defense (Intelligence)
Subject: Science, technology, communications