Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008 or FISA Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to authorize the Attorney General (AG) and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to jointly authorize the targeting (electronic surveillance) of persons located outside the United States in order to acquire foreign intelligence information, subject to specified requirements, including: (1) prior certification to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); and (2) certain targeting and minimization procedures. Authorizes: (1) the AG and DNI to direct an electronic communication service provider (provider) to provide the government with all necessary assistance to accomplish the acquisition of information [...]

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Latest Action: 07/07/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to establish a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, to improve the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, to increase resources for regional computer forensic labs, and to make other improvements to increase the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute predators. 6/28/2007--Introduced. Combating Child Exploitation Act of 2007 - Requires the Attorney General to appoint a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of Deputy Attorney General to coordinate Department of Justice policies and strategies for the prevention and investigation of child exploitation cases. Establishes within the Office of Justice Programs an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC Task Force), consisting of state and local task forces (one task force for each state) to address online enticement of children, child exploitation, [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-821, Part I.

Bill Text
To enhance the safety of elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education. 5/16/2007--Introduced. School Safety Enhancements Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) allow the placement and use of surveillance equipment in schools under the matching grant program for public elementary and secondary school security; (2) allow the use of grant funds to establish hotlines or tiplines for reporting potentially dangerous students and situations and for making capital improvements to make school facilities more secure; (3) set the federal matching share of program costs at 80%; and (4) revise application requirements for school security grants. Requires the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Secretary of Education to establish an interagency task force to develop and promulgate advisory school safety guidelines. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To reiterate that chapters 119 and 121 of title 18, United States Code, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 are the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. NSA Oversight Act - States that provisions of the federal criminal code concerning wire and electronic communications and their interception and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) are the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted until specific statutory authorization for any other such surveillance is enacted. Requires the President to report to the congressional intelligence committees on the Terrorist Surveillance Program of the National Security Agency (NSA) as well as any other program which involves electronic surveillance of U.S. persons in the United States conducted by a federal department or agency without fully complying with FISA procedures. Authorizes [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S183-184)

Bill Text
A bill to provide sufficient resources to permit electronic surveillance of United States persons for foreign intelligence purposes to be conducted pursuant to individualized court-issued orders for calls originating in the United States, to provide additional resources to enhance oversight and streamline the procedures of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to ensure review of the Terrorist Surveillance Program by the United States Supreme Court, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Oversight and Resource Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to: (1) authorize the appointment of additional judges to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); and (2) require FISA judges to act on applications for emergency electronic surveillance within 24 hours. Authorizes the hiring of additional personnel in the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S91-92)

Bill Text
A bill to provide increased rail transportation security. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Rail Security Act of 2007 - Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to conduct a vulnerability assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation, and develop specific prioritized recommendations for improving rail security. Directs the Assistant Secretary to conduct a study on requiring security screening for passengers, baggage, and cargo on passenger trains. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to Amtrak for fire and life-safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to tunnels on the Northeast Corridor. Directs Amtrak to submit to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) a plan to address the needs of families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to award grants to Amtrak for certain system-wide Amtrak, freight,[...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S117-118)

Bill Text
A bill to give investigators and prosecutors the tools they need to combat public corruption.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Effective Corruption Prosecutions Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) extend to eight years the statute of limitations for certain public corruption offenses involving bribery, theft of government funds, mail fraud, and racketeering; and (2) permit interception of wire, oral or electronic communications in connection the crimes of theft of federal funds or bribery (federal program bribery) and include such crimes within the definition of racketeering for purposes of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Practices Act (RICO).

Authorizes appropriations for additional Department of Justice personnel to investigate and prosecute public corruption offenses.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to expedite review by the Supreme Court of the warrantless electronic surveillance program of the National Security Agency.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Foreign Surveillance Expedited Review Act - Provides standing for civil actions for declaratory and injunctive relief to persons who refrain from electronic communications through fear of being subject to warrantless electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes.

Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S754-755)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize secure borders and comprehensive immigration reform, and for other purposes. 1/18/2007--Introduced. Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 - Provides for increases in the numbers of federal immigration enforcement-related positions and technological assets for use along the borders, including Department of Defense (DOD) equipment. Provides for: (1) recruitment of former military personnel; (2) border control facilities construction; (3) land border port of entry construction and improvements; (4) border patrol checkpoints; and (5) fencing, barrier, and road construction and improvements in the Yuma and Tucson sectors. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to develop: (1) a comprehensive land and maritime border surveillance plan; (2) a National Strategy for Border Security; (3) a plan to combat human smuggling; (4) a southern border study; and (5) a schedule for equippng all land border ports of entry with the [...]

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Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
A bill to increase and enhance law enforcement resources committed to investigation and prosecution of violent gangs, to deter and punish violent gang crime, to protect law-abiding citizens and communities from violent criminals, to revise and enhance criminal penalties for violent crimes, to expand and improve gang prevention programs, and for other purposes. 9/21/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Gang Abatement and Prevention Act of 2007 - Title I: New Federal Criminal Laws Needed To Fight Violent National, International, Regional, And Local Gangs That Affect Interstate And Foreign Commerce - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal criminal code to expand prohibitions against criminal street gangs. Defines "criminal street gang" as a formal or informal group, organization, or association of five or more individuals: (1) each of whom has committed at least one gang crime; and (2) who collectively commit three or more [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008 or FISA Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to authorize the Attorney General (AG) and Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to jointly authorize the targeting (electronic surveillance) of persons located outside the United States in order to acquire foreign intelligence information, subject to specified requirements, including: (1) prior certification to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); and (2) certain targeting and minimization procedures. Authorizes: (1) the AG and DNI to direct an electronic communication service provider (provider) to provide the government with all necessary assistance to accomplish the acquisition of information [...]

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Latest Action: 02/26/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 584.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the provisions of the Protect America Act of 2007 until July 1, 2009.

2/25/2008--Introduced.

Protect America Long-term Extension Act - Amends the Protect America Act of 2007 to extend its authority until July 1, 2009.

States that the preceding amendment shall take effect as if enacted on February 15, 2008.

Latest Action: 02/26/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 583.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the provisions of the Protect America Act of 2007.

2/25/2008--Introduced.

Protect America Short-term Extension Act - Amends the Protect America Act of 2007 to extend its authority until 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

States that the preceding amendment shall take effect as if enacted on February 15, 2008.

Latest Action: 02/13/2008 - Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5349 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.

Bill Text
To extend the Protect America Act of 2007 for 21 days.

2/12/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Protect America Act of 2007 (currently set to expire on February 16, 2008) to extend its authority for 21days.

Latest Action: 02/11/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 571.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the Protect America Act of 2007 for 15 days.

2/8/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Protect America Act of 2007 to extend its authority for 15 days.

Latest Action: 01/28/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 565.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the Protect America Act of 2007 until July 1, 2009.

1/25/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Protect America Act of 2007 (currently set to expire on February 1, 2008) to extend its authority until July 1, 2009.

Latest Action: 01/25/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 564.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the provisions of the Protect America Act of 2007 for an additional 30 days.

1/24/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Protect America Act of 2007 (currently set to expire on February 1, 2008) to extend its authority for 30 days.

Latest Action: 01/31/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To extend the Protect America Act of 2007 for 15 days.

1/31/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on January 29, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the Protect America Act of 2007 (currently set to expire on February 1, 2008) to extend its authority for 15 days.

Latest Action: 01/22/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S105)

Bill Text
A bill to extend the provisions of the Protect America Act of 2007 for an additional 30 days.

1/22/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Protect America Act of 2007 (currently set to expire on February 1, 2008) to extend its authority for 30 days.

Latest Action: 12/11/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, to modernize and streamline the provisions of that Act, and for other purposes. 12/10/2007--Introduced. FISA Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to authorize the Attorney General (AG) and Director of National Intelligence to jointly authorize, for periods up to one year, the targeting (electronic surveillance) of persons located outside the United States to acquire foreign intelligence information. Requires specified targeting and surveillance minimization procedures to be followed, with Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court) review of such procedures. States that chapters 119 (Wire and Electronic Communications Interception and Interception of Oral Communications) and 121 (Stored Wire and Electronic Communications and Transactional Records Access) of the federal criminal code and FISA shall be the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance [...]

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