NSL Reform Act of 2007

A bill to place reasonable limitations on the use of National Security Letters, and for other purposes.

9/25/2007--Introduced.
National Security Letter Reform Act of 2007 or the NSL Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code, the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act to establish new criteria for the use of National Security Letters issued b more...y the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to wire or electronic communications service providers, financial institutions, and consumer credit reporting agencies for the production of specified records and information about customers or subscribers. Allows the issuance of a National Security Letter only where:
(1) the records sought relate to an ongoing, authorized and specifically identified national security investigation (other than a threat assessment); and
(2) there are specific and articulable facts for believing that such records pertain to a suspected agent of a foreign power and such agent's activities. Requires the Attorney General to establish minimization and destruction procedures for the disclosure and disposal of information and records received by the FBI in response to a National Security Letter.
Revises criteria for judicial review of nondisclosure orders applicable to recipients of National Security Letters.
Amends the USA Patriot Act to require expanded public disclosure of the number and types of National Security Letter requests for information. Terminates as of December 31, 2009, certain authorities for issuing National Security Letters. Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to revise procedures for, and judicial review of, access to business records in national security investigations.
Directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a secure electronic system for the submission of documents and other information to courts established under FISA.
Expands protections for communications service providers, financial institutions, and consumer reporting agencies that disclose subscriber or customer identifying information to a government authority when such entity reasonably believes that an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person requires disclosure without delay. Requires the Attorney General to issue guidelines for using the least intrusive means of collecting sensitive information in national security investigations.

Sponsor

• Sen. Russell Feingold [D, WI]
• and 11 Co-Sponsors
  • Sen. Jeff Bingaman [D, NM]
  • Sen. Richard Durbin [D, IL]
  • Sen. Charles Hagel [R, NE]
  • Sen. Edward Kennedy [D, MA]
  • Sen. Robert Menendez [D, NJ]
  • Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R, AK]
  • Sen. Barack Obama [D, IL]
  • Sen. Ken Salazar [D, CO]
  • Sen. Bernard Sanders [I, VT]
  • Sen. John Sununu [R, NH]
  • Sen. Jon Tester [D, MT]
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Users Tracking [1]

Users who are tracking this bill are also tracking:

• H.R.3189 [1]

Committees

• Senate Judiciary

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to S.2088

Number	Status	Purpose

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Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by Senate		Voted on by House		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
September 25, 2007

Related Bills:

• H.R.3189

Related Issue Areas:

• Telecommunication industry
• Telecommunication
• Technology
• Subpoena
• 23 more
• Standards
• Right of privacy
• Liability (Law)
• Law
• Judicial review
• Government publicity
• Government information
• Foreign policy
• Foreign agents
• Finance
• Executive departments
• Department of Justice
• Data banks
• Criminal justice
• Criminal investigation
• Credit bureaus
• Courts of special jurisdiction
• Civil liberties
• Business records
• Business
• Bank records
• Administrative procedure
• Intelligence activities

In the News

May 07, 2008 FBI Withdraws Unconstitutional National Security Letter After ACLU ...

Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI) introduced a Senate bill of the same name (S. 2088). Both bills are aimed at narrowing the statute by enacting limits on ...

Source: ACLU (press release), NY
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Blog Coverage

May 08, 2008 ‘russell feingold’ on the web

Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) has introduced HR 3189, the “National Security Letters Reform Act of 2007,” and Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI) introduced a Senate bill of the same name (S. 2088). Both bills are aimed at narrowing ...

Source: From me to you about Russell Feingolds
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April 26, 2008 National Security Letters Reform Act

DownsizeDC.org has joined 28 other organizations in sending the House and Senate a message asking them to support S. 2088, the National Security Letters Reform Act. Here is the copy of the letter sent to the Senate:. April 22, 2008 ...

Source: DownsizeDC.org Blog - . . . for Human Progress...
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April 26, 2008 National Security Letters Reform Act

National Security Letters Reform Act DownsizeDC.org has joined 28 other organizations in sending the House and Senate a message asking them to support S. 2088, the National Security Letters Reform Act. Here is the copy of the letter ...

Source: Video Blog
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