FISA Improvements Act of 2019

10/28/2022, 1:45 AM

FISA Improvements Act of 2019

This bill makes various changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, such as by requiring amicus curiae (i.e., outside parties that assist in consideration of a case) involvement in certain matters.

An amicus curiae shall assist the court when it is considering an initial application seeking permission to target an identifiable U.S. person for certain types of foreign intelligence investigative activities (such as electronic surveillance or a physical search).

An application to the court for an order for electronic surveillance shall include a statement fully disclosing any information used in the application that the government cannot substantiate.

The bill also requires transcriptions of proceedings before the court. The Department of Justice shall maintain all written communications with the court and written summaries of oral communications with the court.

Congress
116

Number
HR - 5396

Introduced on
2019-12-11

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

12/11/2019

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

FISA Improvements Act of 2019

This bill makes various changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, such as by requiring amicus curiae (i.e., outside parties that assist in consideration of a case) involvement in certain matters.

An amicus curiae shall assist the court when it is considering an initial application seeking permission to target an identifiable U.S. person for certain types of foreign intelligence investigative activities (such as electronic surveillance or a physical search).

An application to the court for an order for electronic surveillance shall include a statement fully disclosing any information used in the application that the government cannot substantiate.

The bill also requires transcriptions of proceedings before the court. The Department of Justice shall maintain all written communications with the court and written summaries of oral communications with the court.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to require reviews by amici curiae of applications made to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Evidence and witnesses
Government information and archives
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Judicial procedure and administration
Specialized courts

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary10/16/2020

FISA Improvements Act of 2019

This bill makes various changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, such as by requiring amicus curiae (i.e., outside parties that assist in consideration of a case) involvement in certain m...


Latest Action12/11/2019
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdict...