This is an official notice of the National Council of Investigation & Security Services representing the investigative and security professions for 39 years

 

Capitol
NCISS 
LEGISLATIVE ALERT
September 9, 2014
 

The USA Freedom Act (FISA)
 

 

Dear NCISS members,


 

The USA Freedom Act ("Freedom Act," S. 2685) picked up two key endorsements this week, increasing the chances that it will be brought to the Senate Floor in September for a vote.  The Freedom Act contains a variety of intelligence-related reforms, including restrictions on bulk data collection by NSA, new requirements for certain FBI activities, limitations on how long phone companies are required to keep call data, and other reforms for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) courts.

 

Both Attorney General Holder and Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, told Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy that they supported the legislation, and Leahy is now seeking leadership's agreement to schedule the Freedom Act for floor consideration.

 

A House companion bill, H.R. 3361 (Rep. Sensenbrenner) passed the House in May.  However, passage was secured by weakening some of the privacy protections in the original bill.  The Senate measure does not contain those allowances, so assuming the Senate does pass S.2685, House passage of the Senate version is very much in doubt.

 

While this is legislation ultimately aimed at surveillance, data collection and usage by the government in terrorism-related activities, NCISS is always wary of how private investigators might inadvertently get folded-in to such measures, including restrictions on "pretexting" or penalties for the types of surveillance necessary for our industry.  

 

In the past, we have fought successfully to blunt such measures, securing definitional carve-outs for private investigators and/or removing objectionable provisions altogether.

 

As the 113th Congress spins to close, both before and after the upcoming election, NCISS will continue to monitor this and other legislative proposals to ensure that the activities and livelihoods of our members are protected and advanced.

 

This information is provided by our friends at  ...

 

 

 

 

 




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If you have questions regarding federal bills, regulatory actions or any other issue for the NCISS Legislation / Investigation Committee, please contact me at the email provided with my signature line.

 

Francie Koehler

 

Francie Koehler

[email protected]

NCISS Legislative Chair - Investigation

7501 Sparrows Point Boulevard

Baltimore, Maryland 21219-1927

T-(800) 445-8408  F-(410) 388-9746

www.nciss.org

  

 

 

 

 

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