h 317 54992 1234328400 false 1257397200 22 985 10326 111 400043

2/11/2009--Passed House without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 - Prohibits a federal entity (an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch or an administrative agency of the federal government), in any matter arising under federal law, from compelling a covered person to testify or produce any document unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence, including determinations: (1) relating to exhaustion of alternative sources, (2) that the testimony or document sought is critical; (3) that disclosure of the information source's identity is necessary; and (4) that the public interest in compelling disclosure of the information or document involved outweighs the public interest in gathering or disseminating news or information. Allows a court, in making the last of those determinations, to consider the extent of any harm to national security. Defines "covered person" as a person who regularly gathers, photographs, records, writes, edits, reports, or publishes information concerning matters of public interest for dissemination to the public for a substantial portion of the person's livelihood or substantial financial gain, including a supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of such a person. Excludes from that definition foreign powers and their agents and certain terrorist organizations and individuals. Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored. Prohibits construing this Act as applying to civil defamation, slander, or libel claims or defenses under state law. Exempts certain criminal or tortious conduct. Applies this Act to communications service providers with regard to testimony or any record, information, or other communication that relates to a business transaction between such providers and covered persons. Sets forth notice requirements. Permits a court to delay notice to a covered person upon determining that such notice would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of a criminal investigation.

1238558400 2009-04-01 Tue Jan 05 20:12:47 -0600 2010 passed house 54992 'act':5 '2009':7 'flow':2 'free':1 'inform':4 71527 false short reported to house 54992 'act':5 '2009':7 'flow':2 'free':1 'inform':4 71526 false short introduced 54992 'act':5 '2009':7 'flow':2 'free':1 'inform':4 69880 false short introduced 54992 'by':11,21 'of':6,19 'to':1,8 'for':14 'the':3,9,15,26 'flow':5 'free':4 'news':27 'with':25 'media':28 'public':10 'certain':22 'persons':23 'maintain':2 'compelled':17 'connected':24 'federally':16 'providing':12 'conditions':13 'disclosure':18 'information':7,20 68740 false official action 54992 Fri Oct 30 06:59:06 -0500 2009 1257397200 Thu Nov 05 00:00:00 -0600 2009 213664 Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. B000657 1946-08-01 2803 2187 Rayburn House Office Building http://www.boucher.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=645&Itemid= 9 202-225-0442 Frederick 'd':4 '-9':6 'va':5 'rep':1 'rick':9 'boucher':3,8,11 'frederick':2,7,10 M 400043 Boucher Rick_Boucher C. Rep. Frederick Boucher [D, VA-9] 1190 Rick N00002171 8032 Democrat 202-225-3861 Methodist VA Rick Frederick Boucher 3.29411764705882 http://www.boucher.house.gov/ action 54992 Fri Oct 30 06:59:06 -0500 2009 1257397200 Thu Nov 05 00:00:00 -0600 2009 213664 Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. action 54992 Fri Oct 23 06:58:33 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 212371 Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. action 54992 Wed Oct 21 06:52:00 -0500 2009 1256184000 Thu Oct 22 00:00:00 -0500 2009 211862 Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. action 54992 Wed Oct 14 18:51:58 -0500 2009 1255579200 Thu Oct 15 00:00:00 -0500 2009 211161 Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. action 54992 Fri Sep 25 18:51:49 -0500 2009 1254369600 Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 -0500 2009 209477 Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 9:30 a.m. action 54992 Fri Sep 18 18:57:03 -0500 2009 1253764800 Thu Sep 24 00:00:00 -0500 2009 208805 Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. action 54992 Sat Sep 12 18:51:56 -0500 2009 1253160000 Thu Sep 17 00:00:00 -0500 2009 208208 Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. action 54992 1244692800 Thu Jun 11 00:00:00 -0500 2009 198139 Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. action 54992 1242878400 Thu May 21 00:00:00 -0500 2009 195601 Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. action 54992 1238558400 Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 -0500 2009 191100 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. vote 54992 Tue Jan 05 07:01:46 -0600 2010 1238536620 Tue Mar 31 17:57:00 -0500 2009 by voice vote 223635 pass On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. vote h action 54992 Tue Jan 05 07:01:46 -0600 2010 1238534160 Tue Mar 31 17:16:00 -0500 2009 223634 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 985. action 54992 Tue Jan 05 07:01:46 -0600 2010 1238534160 Tue Mar 31 17:16:00 -0500 2009 223633 Considered under suspension of the rules. action 54992 Tue Jan 05 07:01:46 -0600 2010 1238534100 Tue Mar 31 17:15:00 -0500 2009 223632 Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. vote 54992 1238533020 Tue Mar 31 17:57:00 -0500 2009 by voice vote 190011 pass On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. vote h action 54992 1238530560 Tue Mar 31 17:16:00 -0500 2009 190009 Considered under suspension of the rules. action 54992 1238530560 Tue Mar 31 17:16:00 -0500 2009 190010 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 985. action 54992 1238530500 Tue Mar 31 17:15:00 -0500 2009 190008 Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. calendar 54992 Tue Jan 05 07:01:46 -0600 2010 1238437020 Mon Mar 30 14:17:00 -0500 2009 223631 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 26. action 54992 Tue Jan 05 07:01:46 -0600 2010 1238436960 Mon Mar 30 14:16:00 -0500 2009 223630 Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 111-61. calendar 54992 1238433420 Mon Mar 30 14:17:00 -0500 2009 189770 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 26. action 54992 1238433360 Mon Mar 30 14:16:00 -0500 2009 189769 Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 111-61. action 54992 1237953600 Wed Mar 25 00:00:00 -0500 2009 189767 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. calendar 54992 1237953600 Wed Mar 25 00:00:00 -0500 2009 189768 Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote. action 54992 1234328400 Wed Feb 11 00:00:00 -0600 2009 184550 Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E242-243) introduced 54992 1234328400 Wed Feb 11 00:00:00 -0600 2009 184549 action 54992 1234328400 Wed Feb 11 00:00:00 -0600 2009 184551 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.