Securing Our Borders and Our Data Act of 2008

To impose requirements with regard to border searches of digital electronic devices and digital storage media, and for other purposes.

7/31/2008--Introduced.
Securing Our Borders and Our Data Act of 2008 - Sets forth rules for the search or seizure at a U.S. border of digital electronic devices or digital storage media. Prohibits a search of the digital contents of such devices or media unless such search is based on:
(1) a reasonable suspicion regarding the owner of such devices or media; and
(2) an independent constitutional authority to make a seizure (other than the authority for border searches). Requires officers at U.S. borders to receive appropriate training to make searches of digital devices or media to minimize the possibility of irreparable damage to such devices or media. Allows the owners of such devices and media to request that searches be conducted out of public view. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to:
(1) make rules regarding border searches of digital devices and storage media, including rules to protect the integrity of digital data, for the retrieval of seized devices or media by owners, and for sharing such data with other governmental agencies; and
(2) publish such rules on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website. Requires the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to conduct an annual study of searches and seizures of digital devices and storage media at U.S. borders and report to Congress on such study.


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Sponsor

• Rep. Eliot Engel [D, NY-17]
• and 11 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R, MD-6]
  • Rep. Brian Higgins [D, NY-27]
  • Rep. Maurice Hinchey [D, NY-22]
  • Rep. Rubén Hinojosa [D, TX-15]
  • Rep. Nita Lowey [D, NY-18]
  • Rep. James McGovern [D, MA-3]
  • Michael McNulty
  • Rep. Edward Pastor [D, AZ-4]
  • Rep. Ronald Paul [R, TX-14]
  • Rep. Steven Rothman [D, NJ-9]
  • Rep. Fortney Stark [D, CA-13]
  close

Committees

• House Judiciary
• 2 more
  • House Homeland Security
  • House Homeland Security
  close

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.6702

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
July 31, 2008

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All Bill Actions

• Sep 29, 2008: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.
• Jul 31, 2008: Referred to House Homeland Security
• Introduced on Jul 31, 2008.
• Jul 31, 2008: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• Jul 31, 2008: Referred to House Judiciary

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Related Bills:

• H.R.6588

Related Issue Areas:

• Civil rights
• Administrative procedure
• Cameras
• Computers
• 20 more
• Congress
• Congressional reporting requirements
• Criminal justice
• Customs administration
• Department of Homeland Security
• Electronics
• Employee training
• Executive departments
• Federal law enforcement officers
• Government employees
• Government information
• Government publicity
• Governmental investigations
• Job training
• Law
• Searches and seizures
• Technology
• Telecommunication
• Trade
• Wireless communication

Data from the Congressional Research Service

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Blog Coverage

January 03, 2009 ResourceShelf » Blog Archive » CRS Report — Border Searches of ...

Two related bills introduced in the 110th Congress, H.R. 6702 and H.R. 6588, would impose more rigorous standards for laptop searches than those the federal courts have determined are constitutionally required. ...

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December 18, 2008 onderwereldblog.nl » Uw laptop en de douane (in Amerika)

Categorie(ën): privacy — wvdp @ 6:11 pm. De douane van de Verenigde Staten mag Uw bagage (en U) aan de grens doorzoeken. Dat klinkt in Nederland logisch - hier is Big Brother allang de baas - maar de Grondwet in de VS is niet zo ...

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Source: onderwereldblog.nl

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December 15, 2008 Home Station: CRS updates report on border serach of laptops

Two related bills introduced in the 110th Congress, H.R. 6702 and H.R. 6588, would impose more rigorous standards for laptop searches than those the federal courts have determined are constitutionally required. Download the report. ...

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Source: Home Station

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