Competing FISA modernization proposals.
H.R.3356 - House Democrats
S.2011 - Senate Democrats (Levin/Rockefeller)
S.1927 - DNI proposal presented by Senate Republicans
DNI - July 27 Letter from Mike McConnell
Source: http://gulcfac.typepad.com/georgetown_university_law/files/FISA2007.democratic.fix.pdf
Shorter source:
[Congressional Record: August 3, 2007 (House)]
[Page H9685-H9695]
The competing measure, the DNI proposal as expressed in S.1927, appears near the bottom of page S10619, and at pages S10871-72 of the Congressional Record.
DNI July 27 proposal: http://www.fas.org/irp/news/2007/07/dni072707.pdf
I believe S.1927 has been amended to include sunset of some provisions. I'll be surprised if there is sunset on the immunity from suit, payment for hardware, or other substantive aspects that are significant from a civil liberties point of view.
[Aug 5] The amendment sunsets nearly everything, except whatever orders are in place, remain in place. Purely speculating, if an order is to maintain a tap for an indefinite period, then sunsetting the law that admitted the order in the first place is a meaningless act.
[Aug 8] Added Admiral McConnell's propsoed statutory language as expressed in his July 27th letter to Congressional leadership.
[Aug 11] A few related statutory proposals: DNI April 2007 proposal, and see this summary of September 2006 action, as well as this very terse summary of Heather Wilson's H.R.5825.
[Aug 23] Added text of S.2011.
IMPROVING FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE TO DEFEND THE NATION AND THE CONSTITUTION ACT OF 2007 Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3356) to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain electronic surveillance. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3356 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Foreign Intelligence Surveillance to Defend the Nation and the Constitution Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Act is to facilitate the acquisition of foreign intelligence information by providing for the electronic surveillance of persons reasonably believed to be outside the United States pursuant to methodologies proposed by the Attorney General, reviewed by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and applied by the Attorney General without further court approval, unless otherwise required under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURE FOR AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE. (a) In General.--The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 105 the following: ``CLARIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE OF PERSONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ``Sec. 105A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a court order is not required for the acquisition of the contents of any communication between persons that are not located within the United States for the purpose of collecting foreign intelligence information, without respect to whether the communication passes through the United States or the surveillance device is located within the United States. ``ADDITIONAL PROCEDURE FOR AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE ``Sec. 105B. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Attorney General, upon the authorization of the President, may apply to a judge of the court established under section 103(a) for an ex parte order, or an extension of an order, authorizing electronic surveillance for periods of not more than 1 year, for the purpose of acquiring foreign intelligence information, in accordance with this section. ``(b) Application.-- ``(1) Specific persons and places not required.--An application for an order, or extension of an order, submitted under subsection (a) shall not be required to identify-- ``(A) the persons, other than a foreign power, against whom electronic surveillance will be directed; or ``(B) the specific facilities, places, premises, or property at which the electronic surveillance will be directed. ``(2) Contents.--An application for an order, or extension of an order, submitted under subsection (a) shall include-- ``(A) a statement that the electronic surveillance is directed at persons reasonably believed to be outside the United States; ``(B) the identity of the Federal officer seeking to conduct such electronic surveillance; ``(C) a description of-- ``(i) the methods to be used by the Attorney General to determine, during the duration of the order, that there is a reasonable belief that the targets of the electronic surveillance are persons outside the United States; and ``(ii) the procedures to audit the implementation of the methods described in clause (i) to achieve the objective described in that clause; ``(D) a description of the nature of the information sought, including the identity of any foreign power against whom electronic surveillance will be directed; and ``(E) a statement of the means by which the electronic surveillance will be effected and such other information about the surveillance techniques to be used as may be necessary to assess the proposed minimization procedures. ``(c) Application Approval; Order.-- ``(1) Application approval.--A judge considering an application for an order, or extension of an order, submitted under subsection (a) shall approve such application if the Attorney General certifies in writing under oath, and the judge upon consideration of the application determines, that-- ``(A) the acquisition does not constitute electronic surveillance within the meaning of paragraph (1) or (3) of section 101(f); ``(B) the methods described by the Attorney General under subsection (b)(2)(B)(i) are reasonably designed to determine whether the persons are outside the United States; ``(C) a significant purpose of the electronic surveillance is to obtain foreign intelligence information; ``(D) the proposed minimization procedures meet the definition of minimization procedures under section 101(h). ``(2) Order.--A judge approving an application pursuant to paragraph (1) shall issue an order that-- ``(A) authorizes electronic surveillance as requested, or as modified by the judge; ``(B) requires a communications service provider, custodian, or other person who has the lawful authority to access the information, facilities, or technical assistance necessary to accomplish the electronic surveillance, upon the request of the applicant, to furnish the applicant forthwith with such information, facilities, or technical assistance in a manner that will protect the secrecy of the electronic surveillance and produce a minimum of interference with the services that provider, custodian, or other person is providing the target of electronic surveillance; ``(C) requires such communications service provider, custodian, or other person, upon the request of the applicant, to maintain under security procedures approved by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence any records concerning the acquisition or the aid furnished; ``(D) directs the Federal Government to compensate, at the prevailing rate, a person for providing information, facilities, or assistance pursuant to such order; and ``(E) directs the applicant to follow the minimization procedures as proposed or as modified by the court. ``(3) Assessment of compliance with minimization procedures.--At or before the end of the period of time for which electronic surveillance is approved by an order or an extension under this section, the judge may assess compliance with the minimization procedures by reviewing the circumstances under which information concerning United States persons was acquired, retained, or disseminated. ``(d) Guidelines for Surveillance of United States Persons.--Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Attorney General shall establish guidelines that are reasonably designed to ensure that an application is filed under section 104, if otherwise required by this Act, when the Attorney General seeks to initiate electronic surveillance, or continue electronic surveillance that began under this section, of a United States person. ``(e) Submission of Orders, Guidelines, and Audits.-- ``(1) Orders.--Upon the entry of an order under subsection (c)(2), the Attorney General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress such order. ``(2) Guidelines.--Upon the establishment of the guidelines under subsection (d), the Attorney General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and the court established under section 103(a) such guidelines. ``(3) Audits.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, and every 60 days thereafter until the expiration of all orders issued under this section, the Inspector General of the Department of Justice shall complete an audit on the compliance with the guidelines established under subsection (d) and shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and the court established under section 103(a)-- ``(A) the results of such audit; ``(B) a list of any targets of electronic surveillance under this section determined to be in the United States; and ``(C) the number of persons in the United States whose communications have been intercepted under this section. ``(f) Immediate Emergency Authorization.-- ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, during the first 15 days following the date of the enactment of this section, upon the authorization of the President, the Attorney General may authorize electronic surveillance without a court order under this title until the date that is 15 days after the date on which the Attorney General authorizes such electronic surveillance if the Attorney General determines-- ``(A) that an emergency situation exists with respect to the employment of electronic surveillance to obtain foreign intelligence information before an order authorizing such surveillance can with due diligence be obtained; and ``(B) the electronic surveillance will be directed at persons reasonably believed to be outside the United States. ``(2) Pending order.-- ``(A) Initial extension.--If at the end of the period in which the Attorney General authorizes electronic surveillance under paragraph (1), the Attorney General has submitted an application for an order under subsection (a) but the court referred to in section 103(a) has not approved or disapproved such application, such court may authorize the Attorney General to extend the emergency authorization of electronic surveillance under paragraph (1) for not more than 15 days. ``(B) Subsequent extension.--If at the end of the extension of the emergency authorization of electronic surveillance under subparagraph (A) the court referred to in section 103(a) has not approved or disapproved the application referred to in subparagraph (A), such court may authorize the Attorney General to extend the emergency authorization of electronic surveillance under paragraph (1) for not more than 15 days. ``(3) Maximum length of authorization.--Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), in no case shall electronic surveillance be authorized under this subsection for a total of more than 45 days without a court order under this title. ``(4) Minimization procedures.--The Attorney General shall ensure that any electronic surveillance conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) is in accordance with minimization procedures that meet the definition of minimization procedures in section 101(h). ``(5) Information, facilities, and technical assistance.-- Pursuant to an authorization of electronic surveillance under this subsection, the Attorney General may direct a communications service provider, custodian, or other person who has the lawful authority to access the information, facilities, or technical assistance necessary to accomplish such electronic surveillance to-- ``(A) furnish the Attorney General forthwith with such information, facilities, or technical assistance in a manner that will protect the secrecy of the electronic surveillance and produce a minimum of interference with the services that provider, custodian, or other person is providing the target of electronic surveillance; and ``(B) maintain under security procedures approved by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence any records concerning the acquisition or the aid furnished. ``(g) Prohibition on Liability for Providing Assistance.-- Section 105(i), relating to protection from liability for the furnishing of information, facilities, or technical assistance pursuant to a court order under this Act, shall apply to this section. ``(h) Effect of Section on Other Authorities.--The authority under this section is in addition to the authority to conduct electronic surveillance under sections 104 and 105. ``(i) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section, the term `appropriate committees of Congress' means-- ``(1) the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate; and ``(2) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.''. (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in the first section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 105 the following: ``Sec. 105A. Clarification of electronic surveillance of persons outside the United States. ``Sec. 105B. Additional procedure for authorizing certain electronic surveillance.''. (c) Sunset.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), effective on the date that is 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, sections 105A and 105B of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, as added by subsection (a), are hereby repealed. (2) Exception.--Any order under section 105B of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, as added by this Act, in effect on such date that is 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, shall continue in effect until the date of the expiration of such order.
S 2011 PCS Calendar No. 332 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2011 Entitled the `Protect America Act of 2007'. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 3, 2007 Mr. LEVIN (for himself and Mr. ROCKEFELLER) introduced the following bill; which was read twice, considered, read the third time, and failed of passage August 3, 2007 Ordered to be placed on the calendar _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL Entitled the `Protect America Act of 2007'. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. PURPOSE. To provide for a procedure before the FISA Court for an order, which may be amended as necessary at the request of the Government with the approval of the Court, authorizing procedures, guidelines, means or methods that will permit the collection of intelligence between foreign persons located outside the United States, while bringing incidental contacts with United States persons at home or abroad into compliance with existing law and minimization procedures. SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURE FOR AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE. (a) In General- The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 105 the following: `CLARIFICATION OF SURVEILLANCE OF PERSONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES `Sec. 105A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a court order is not required for the electronic surveillance of the contents of any communication between persons that are not located within the United States for the purpose of collecting foreign intelligence information, without respect to whether the communication passes through the United States or the surveillance device is located within the United States. `ADDITIONAL PROCEDURE FOR COURT APPROVAL FOR AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE `Sec. 105B. (a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Attorney General, in consultation with Director of National Intelligence, upon the authorization of the President, may apply to a judge of the court established under section 103(a) for an ex parte order, or an extension of an order, authorizing electronic surveillance for a period of 1 year, in accordance with this section. `(b) Application- `(1) CONTENTS- An application for an order, or extension of an order, submitted under subsection (a) shall include-- `(A) the identity of the Federal officer making the application; `(B) a written certification made under oath by the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General that-- `(i) there are reasonable procedures in place for determining that the electronic surveillance under this section is directed at persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States; `(ii) there are reasonable procedures in place to assess the implementation of the procedures described in subclause (i) to achieve the objective described in that subclause; `(iii) the acquisition does not constitute electronic surveillance within the meaning of paragraph (1) or (3) of section 101(f), and, to the extent any acquisition constitutes electronic surveillance within the meaning of paragraph (2) or (4) of section 101(f), that it is approved or minimized as appropriate; `(iv) a significant purpose of the electronic surveillance is to obtain foreign intelligence information; `(v) the proposed minimization procedures meet the definition of minimization procedures under section 101(h); and `(vi) the electronic surveillance involves obtaining foreign intelligence information from or with the assistance of a communications service provider, custodian, or other person (including any officer, employee, agent or other specified person of such service provider, custodian, or other person) who has access to communications, either as they are transmitted or while they are stored, or equipment that is being or may be used to transmit or store such communications; `(C) a general description of the nature of the foreign intelligence information sought; and `(D) a general statement of the means by which the electronic surveillance will be effected. `(2) SPECIFIC PERSONS AND PLACES NOT REQUIRED- `(A) An application for an order, or extension of an order, submitted under subsection (a) shall not be required to identify-- `(i) the persons, other than a foreign power, against whom the electronic surveillance will be directed; or `(ii) the specific facilities, places, premises, or property at which the electronic surveillance will be directed or conducted. `(c) Application Approval; Order- `(1) APPLICATION APPROVAL- Notwithstanding any other law, a judge considering an application for an order, or extension of an order, submitted under subsection (a) shall-- `(A) assess-- `(i) the procedures by which the Government determines that electronic surveillance under this section is directed at persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States; and `(ii) the minimization procedures to be used with respect to United States persons from such electronic surveillance activity; and `(B) approve such application if the judge determines that the procedures assessed are in accordance with law and are reasonably designed to determine whether the targets are outside the United States. `(2) ORDER- A judge approving an application pursuant to paragraph (1) shall issue an order that-- `(A)(i) authorizes the electronic surveillance as requested; and `(ii) approves the minimization procedures with respect to United States persons; `(B) directs the applicant to follow the procedures referred to in section 105B(b)(1)(B)(i) and the minimization procedures submitted by the Government as approved; `(C) at the request of the applicant, requires a specified communications service provider, custodian, or other specified person, to furnish the applicant forthwith with all information, facilities, or technical assistance necessary to accomplish the electronic surveillance in a manner that will protect the secrecy of the electronic surveillance and produce a minimum of interference with the services that provider, custodian, or other person is providing; and `(D) at the request of the applicant, requires such communications provider, custodian, or other specified person to maintain under security procedures approved by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence any records concerning the electronic surveillance or the aid furnished that such person wishes to maintain. `(3) MINIMIZATION PROCEDURES- An application for reauthorization of an order issued under this section, shall contain a description of the Government's minimization procedures. `(d) Guidelines for Surveillance of United States Persons- Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Attorney General shall establish guidelines that address communications with persons inside the United States and United States persons outside the United States and are designed to ensure that an application is filed under section 104 when the Attorney General seeks to continue electronic surveillance that began under this section but-- `(1) effectively is or has become surveillance of a person within the United States; or `(2) is of a nature or quantity as to infringe on the reasonable expectation of privacy of persons within the United States. `(e) Compensation- The Government shall compensate, at the prevailing rate, a person for providing information, facilities, or assistance pursuant to an order of the court under this section or pursuant to a directive under section 105C. `(f) Liability- Notwithstanding any other law, no cause of action shall lie in any court against any person for providing any information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with an order under this section or a directive under section 105C. `(g) Retention of Orders- An order granted under this section and directives under section 105C shall be retained for a period of not less than 10 years from the date on which such order or directive is made. `(h) Appeal- The Government may appeal any denial of an application submitted under this section to the court established under section 103(b). If such court determines that the denial was properly entered, the court shall immediately provide for the record a written statement of each reason for its decision, and, on petition of the United States for a writ of certiorari, the record shall be transmitted under seal to the Supreme Court of the United States, which shall have jurisdiction to review such decision. `IMMEDIATE AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE `Sec. 105C. (a) In General- Notwithstanding any law, the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General, may, prior to the submission of an application under section 105B, authorize the immediate electronic surveillance of persons reasonably believed to be outside the United States if the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General determine that it is in the interest of the national security of the United States to begin the electronic surveillance and such electronic surveillance is subject to the certification to be filed as set forth below. The authority in this subsection shall not be used for successive or multiple authorizations of electronic surveillance of the same or similar scope. `(b) In such case, the Attorney General shall-- `(1) transmit within 5 days of the initiation of electronic surveillance pursuant to this section under seal to the court established under section 103(a) a copy of a certification made under section 105B(b)(1)(B). Such certification shall be maintained under security measures established by the Chief Justice of the United States and the Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, and shall remain sealed except upon motion of the Government; `(2) submit an application for the approval of such electronic surveillance to the court established under section 103(a) as soon as practicable, but in no event more than 10 days after the initiation of the electronic surveillance; and `(3) the court shall act on such application in accordance with section 105B within 30 days after receiving an application under this subsection. The court may grant one or more extensions of not more than 30 days, if the court determines that additional time is needed. Any electronic surveillance subsequent to the court's action shall be conducted only if approved in accordance with section 105B. If the application is disapproved, the data collected may be used or disclosed only as authorized by the court. `(c) Specific Persons and Places Not Required- A certification under subsection (a) is not required to identify-- `(1) the person or foreign power against whom the electronic surveillance will be directed; or `(2) the specific facilities, places, premises, or property at which the electronic surveillance will be directed or conducted. `(d) Directive- With respect to an authorization of electronic surveillance under this section, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, may direct a specified communications service provider, custodian, or other specified person, to-- `(1) furnish the applicant forthwith with all information, facilities, or technical assistance necessary to accomplish the electronic surveillance in a manner that will protect the secrecy of the electronic surveillance and produce a minimum of interference with the services that provider, custodian, or other person is providing; and `(2) maintain under security procedures approved by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence any records concerning the electronic surveillance or the aid furnished that such person wishes to maintain. `(e) Failure To Comply- In the case of a failure to comply with a directive issued pursuant to subsection (e), the Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, may invoke the aid of the court established under section 103(a) to compel compliance with the directive, and the court shall issue an order requiring the person to comply with the directive unless the court finds that the directive does not meet the requirements of this section or is otherwise unlawful. Failure to obey an order of the court may be punished by the court as contempt of court. Any process under this section may be served in any judicial district in which the person may be found. `(f) Pendency of Appeal- With the approval of a court of competent jurisdiction, the Government may continue any electronic surveillance affected by a directive issued under this section during the pendency of consideration of an application submitted under section 105B, and any appeal process, including the period during which a petition for writ of certiorari may be pending and the period of any review by the Supreme Court of the United States. `REPORT TO CONGRESS `Sec. 105D. Report to Congress- Not later than four months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Justice, in coordination with the Inspector General of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Inspector General of the National Security Agency, shall inform, in a manner consistent with the national security, the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives, the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives, concerning electronic surveillance under this section during the previous four-month period. Among the elements of each report made under this section shall be-- `(1) an assessment of whether the Act is functioning as intended and the degree to which the program is resulting in the collection of communications that originate or terminate inside the United States; `(2) a description of the incidents of non-compliance with a directive issued by the Attorney General under section 105C; `(3) a copy of any guidelines and procedures implementing this Act, including the guidelines established pursuant to section 105B(d); `(4) a description of any incidents of non-compliance by an element of the Intelligence Community with guidelines or procedures established for determining that the electronic surveillance authorized by the Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence directed at persons reasonably believed to be outside the United States; `(5) a description of any incidents of non-compliance with respect to minimization procedures and approval requirements concerning U.S. persons; and `(6) the number of certifications and directives issued under section 105C during the reporting period.'. (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment- The table of contents in the first section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 105 the following: `Sec. 105A. Clarification of surveillance of persons outside the United States. `Sec. 105B. Additional procedure for court approval authorizing certain electronic surveillance. `Sec. 105C. Immediate authorization of certain electronic surveillance. `Sec. 105D. Report to Congress.'. SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE; TRANSITION PROCEDURES. (a) Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this Act shall take effect immediately after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any order in effect on the date of enactment of this Act issued pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) shall remain in effect until the date of expiration of such order, and, at the request of the applicant, the court established under section 103(a) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1803(a)) shall reauthorize such order as long as the facts and circumstances continue to justify issuance of such order under the provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, as in effect on the day before the applicable effective date of this Act. The Government also may file new applications, and the court established under section 103(a) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1803(a)) shall enter orders granting such applications pursuant to such Act, as long as the application meets the requirements set forth under the provisions of such Act as in effect on the day before the effective date of this Act. At the request of the applicant, the court established under section 103(a) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1803(a)), shall extinguish any extant authorization to conduct electronic surveillance or physical search entered pursuant to such Act. Any electronic surveillance or physical search conducted pursuant to an order entered under this subsection shall be subject to the provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as in effect on the day before the effective date of this Act. SEC. 4. SUNSET. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) the amendments made by this Act shall cease to have force or effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (b) Any order under section 105B of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, as added by this Act, in effect on the date described in paragraph (1) shall continue in effect until the date of the expiration of such order. (c) The expiration of amendments pursuant to subsection (a) shall not have any effect upon the liability of any party under subsection (e) of section 105B. Notwithstanding subsection (a), subsection (e) of section 105B shall remain in effect with regard to action taken in accordance with sections 105A, B, C, and D.
The amendment (No. 2649) to S. 1927 is as follows: (Purpose: To provide a sunset provision) At the end, add the following: (c) Sunset.--Except as provided in subsection (d), sections 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall cease to have effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Authorizations in Effect.--Authorizations for the acquisition of foreign intelligence information pursuant to the amendments made by this Act, and directives issued pursuant to such authorizations, shall remain in effect until their expiration. Such acquisitions shall be governed by the applicable provisions of such amendments and shall not be deemed to constitute electronic surveillance as that term is defined in section 101(f) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801(f)).
S. 1927 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Protect America Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURE FOR AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ACQUISITIONS OF FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 105 the following: ``CLARIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE OF PERSONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ``Sec. 105A. Nothing in the definition of electronic surveillance under section 101(f) shall be construed to encompass surveillance directed at a person reasonably believed to be located outside of the United States. ``ADDITIONAL PROCEDURE FOR AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ACQUISITIONS CONCERNING PERSONS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ``Sec. 105B. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General, may for periods of up to one year authorize the acquisition of foreign intelligence information concerning persons reasonably believed to be outside the United States if the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General determine, based on the information provided to them, that-- ``(1) there are reasonable procedures in place for determining that the acquisition of foreign intelligence information under this section concerns persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States, and such procedures will be subject to review of the Court pursuant to section 105C of this Act; ``(2) the acquisition does not constitute electronic surveillance; ``(3) the acquisition involves obtaining the foreign intelligence information from or with the assistance of a communications service provider, custodian, or other person (including any officer, employee, agent, or other specified person of such service provider, custodian, or other person) who has access to communications, either as they are transmitted or while they are stored, or equipment that is being or may be used to transmit or store such communications; ``(4) a significant purpose of the acquisition is to obtain foreign intelligence information; and ``(5) the minimization procedures to be used with respect to such acquisition activity meet the definition of minimization procedures under section 101(h). ``This determination shall be in the form of a written certification, under oath, supported as appropriate by affidavit of appropriate officials in the national security field occupying positions appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate, or the Head of any Agency of the Intelligence Community, unless immediate action by the Government is required and time does not permit the preparation of a certification. In such a case, the determination of the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General shall be reduced to a certification as soon as possible but in no event more than 72 hours after the determination is made. ``(b) A certification under subsection (a) is not required to identify the specific facilities, places, premises, or property at which the acquisition of foreign intelligence information will be directed. ``(c) The Attorney General shall transmit as soon as practicable under seal to the court established under section 103(a) a copy of a certification made under subsection (a). Such certification shall be maintained under security measures established by the Chief Justice of the United States and the Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, and shall remain sealed unless the certification is necessary to determine the legality of the acquisition under section 105B. ``(d) An acquisition under this section may be conducted only in accordance with the certification of the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General, or their oral instructions if time does not permit the preparation of a certification, and the minimization procedures adopted by the Attorney General. The Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General shall assess compliance with such procedures and shall report such assessments to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate under section 108(a). ``(e) With respect to an authorization of an acquisition under section 105B, the Director of National Intelligence and Attorney General may direct a person to-- ``(1) immediately provide the Government with all information, facilities, and assistance necessary to accomplish the acquisition in such a manner as will protect the secrecy of the acquisition and produce a minimum of interference with the services that such person is providing to the target; and ``(2) maintain under security procedures approved by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence any records concerning the acquisition or the aid furnished that such person wishes to maintain. ``(f) The Government shall compensate, at the prevailing rate, a person for providing information, facilities, or assistance pursuant to subsection (e). ``(g) In the case of a failure to comply with a directive issued pursuant to subsection (e), the Attorney General may invoke the aid of the court established under section 103(a) to compel compliance with the directive. The court shall issue an order requiring the person to comply with the directive if it finds that the directive was issued in accordance with subsection (e) and is otherwise lawful. Failure to obey an order of the court may be punished by the court as contempt of court. Any process under this section may be served in any judicial district in which the person may be found. ``(h)(1)(A) A person receiving a directive issued pursuant to subsection (e) may challenge the legality of that directive by filing a petition with the pool established under section 103(e)(1). ``(B) The presiding judge designated pursuant to section 103(b) shall assign a petition filed under subparagraph (A) to one of the judges serving in the pool established by section 103(e)(1). Not later than 48 hours after the assignment of such petition, the assigned judge shall conduct an initial review of the directive. If the assigned judge determines that the petition is frivolous, the assigned judge shall immediately deny the petition and affirm the directive or any part of the directive that is the subject of the petition. If the assigned judge determines the petition is not frivolous, the assigned judge shall, within 72 hours, consider the petition in accordance with the procedures established under section 103(e)(2) and provide a written statement for the record of the reasons for any determination under this subsection. ``(2) A judge considering a petition to modify or set aside a directive may grant such petition only if the judge finds that such directive does not meet the requirements of this section or is otherwise unlawful. If the judge does not modify or set aside the directive, the judge shall immediately affirm such directive, and order the recipient to comply with such directive. ``(3) Any directive not explicitly modified or set aside under this subsection shall remain in full effect. ``(i) The Government or a person receiving a directive reviewed pursuant to subsection (h) may file a petition with the Court of Review established under section 103(b) for review of the decision issued pursuant to subsection (h) not later than 7 days after the issuance of such decision. Such court of review shall have jurisdiction to consider such petitions and shall provide for the record a written statement of the reasons for its decision. On petition for a writ of certiorari by the Government or any person receiving such directive, the record shall be transmitted under seal to the Supreme Court, which shall have jurisdiction to review such decision. ``(j) Judicial proceedings under this section shall be concluded as expeditiously as possible. The record of proceedings, including petitions filed, orders granted, and statements of reasons for decision, shall be maintained under security measures established by the Chief Justice of the United States, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence. ``(k) All petitions under this section shall be filed under seal. In any proceedings under this section, the court shall, upon request of the Government, review ex parte and in camera any Government submission, or portions of a submission, which may include classified information. ``(l) Notwithstanding any other law, no cause of action shall lie in any court against any person for providing any information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with a directive under this section. ``(m) A directive made or an order granted under this section shall be retained for a period of not less than 10 years from the date on which such directive or such order is made.''. SEC. 3. SUBMISSION TO COURT REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF PROCEDURES. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 105B the following: ``SUBMISSION TO COURT REVIEW OF PROCEDURES ``Sec. 105C. (a) No later than 120 days after the effective date of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit to the Court established under section 103(a), the procedures by which the Government determines that acquisitions conducted pursuant to section 105B do not constitute electronic surveillance. The procedures submitted pursuant to this section shall be updated and submitted to the Court on an annual basis. ``(b) No later than 180 days after the effective date of this Act, the court established under section 103(a) shall assess the Government's determination under section 105B(a)(1) that those procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that acquisitions [[Page S10872]] conducted pursuant to section 105B do not constitute electronic surveillance. The court's review shall be limited to whether the Government's determination is clearly erroneous. ``(c) If the court concludes that the determination is not clearly erroneous, it shall enter an order approving the continued use of such procedures. If the court concludes that the determination is clearly erroneous, it shall issue an order directing the Government to submit new procedures within 30 days or cease any acquisitions under section 105B that are implicated by the court's order. ``(d) The Government may appeal any order issued under subsection (c) to the court established under section 103(b). If such court determines that the order was properly entered, the court shall immediately provide for the record a written statement of each reason for its decision, and, on petition of the United States for a writ of certiorari, the record shall be transmitted under seal to the Supreme Court of the United States, which shall have jurisdiction to review such decision. Any acquisitions affected by the order issued under subsection (c) of this section may continue during the pendency of any appeal, the period during which a petition for writ of certiorari may be pending, and any review by the Supreme Court of the United States.''. SEC. 4. REPORTING TO CONGRESS. On a semi-annual basis the Attorney General shall inform the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives, the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives, concerning acquisitions under this section during the previous 6-month period. Each report made under this section shall include-- (1) a description of any incidents of non-compliance with a directive issued by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence under section 105B, to include-- (A) incidents of non-compliance by an element of the Intelligence Community with guidelines or procedures established for determining that the acquisition of foreign intelligence authorized by the Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence concerns persons reasonably to be outside the United States; and (B) incidents of noncompliance by a specified person to whom the Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence issue a directive under this section; and (2) the number of certifications and directives issued during the reporting period. SEC. 5. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. (a) In General.--Section 103(e) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1803(e)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``501(f)(1)'' and inserting ``105B(h) or 501(f)(1)''; and (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``501(f)(1)'' and inserting ``105B(h) or 501(f)(1)''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in the first section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 105 the following: ``105A. Clarification of electronic surveillance of persons outside the United States. ``105B. Additional procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions concerning persons located outside the United States. ``105C. Submission to court review of procedures.''. SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE; TRANSITION PROCEDURES. (a) Effective Date.--Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this Act shall take effect immediately after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Transition Procedures.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any order in effect on the date of enactment of this Act issued pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) shall remain in effect until the date of expiration of such order, and, at the request of the applicant, the court established under section 103(a) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1803(a)) shall reauthorize such order as long as the facts and circumstances continue to justify issuance of such order under the provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, as in effect on the day before the applicable effective date of this Act. The Government also may file new applications, and the court established under section 103(a) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1803(a)) shall enter orders granting such applications pursuant to such Act, as long as the application meets the requirements set forth under the provisions of such Act as in effect on the day before the effective date of this Act. At the request of the applicant, the court established under section 103(a) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1803(a)), shall extinguish any extant authorization to conduct electronic surveillance or physical search entered pursuant to such Act. Any surveillance conducted pursuant to an order entered under this subsection shall be subject to the provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as in effect on the day before the effective date of this Act. (c) Sunset.--Except as provided in subsection (d), sections 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall cease to have effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Authorizations in Effect.--Authorizations for the acquisition of foreign intelligence information pursuant to the amendments made by this Act, and directives issued pursuant to such authorizations, shall remain in effect until their expiration. Such acquisitions shall be governed by the applicable provisions of such amendments and shall not be deemed to constitute electronic surveillance as that term is defined in section 101(f) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801(f)).
UNCLASSIFIED DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE WASHINGTON, DC 20511 July 27, 2007 The Honorable Harry Reid Majority Leader United States Senate The Honorable Mitch McConnell Minority Leader United States Senate The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker House of Representatives The Honorable John A. Boehner Minority Leader House of Representatives Dear Majority Leader Reid, Minority Leader McConnell, Madam Speaker, and Minority Leader Boehner: I appreciate the opportunity for today's meeting between staff members and the constructive dialogue on legislation to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and restore our capability to help defend the country effectively. I am pleased that there appears to be genuine agreement on the need to act before the August recess to close gaps in our current capability. Congressional staff provided thoughts on possible modifications of the current FISA court process as an interim solution to remedy this gap. Unfortunately, this proposal would not close critical gaps in the Intelligence Community's ability to provide warning of threats to the country. The proposal would continue the current situation that, in a significant number of cases, we would have to obtain court orders to collect foreign intelligence about foreign targets located overseas. The proposal would also require in practice that we continue to divert scarce counterterrorism experts to compiling court submissions in order to gain judicial approval to gather necessary foreign intelligence about these overseas targets. I conclude this proposal would not solve the deep concerns I have expressed about the current situation facing the country. Attached is an interim proposal which I believe will effectively close the critical gaps in our intelligence capability in the short term. Although my strong preference is the immediate adoption of the proposal I transmitted to Congress in April, in light of the urgency of the UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED situation, I offer the attached significantly narrowed proposal focused on the current, urgent need of the Intelligence Community to provide warning. The proposal would make clear that court orders are not necessary to effectively collect foreign intelligence about foreign targets overseas. The proposal would also provide a means of obtaining assistance that may be required from private parties. It is also my strong preference that we immediately provide liability protection for those who are alleged to have assisted the government following September 11, 2001. However, in recognition of your indication that more time is necessary to consider this matter, the interim proposal does not contain such a provision. While far from ideal, this interim proposal would immediately give our Intelligence Community the tools it needs to protect the Nation, pending continued discussion of this important additional issue. I am available to brief all members of the Congress at their earliest convenience on this matter. I look forward to continuing our discussions and constructive dialogue. If you have any questions on this matter, please contact me or the Chief of Staff to the President. Sincerely, J.M. McConnell cc: The Honorable John D. Rockefeller IV The Honorable Christopher S. Bond The Honorable Silvestre Reyes The Honorable Peter Hoekstra The Honorable Patrick J. Leahy The Honorable Arlen Specter The Honorable John Conyers, Jr. The Honorable Lamar S. Smith Attachment: As stated UNCLASSIFIED Sec. 401. DEFINITION OF ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE. Subsection (f) of section 101 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801) is amended by inserting after subsection (f)(4) the following: "Provided, that nothing in this definition shall be construed to encompass surveillance directed at a person reasonably believed to be located outside of the United States." SEC. 402. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. Title I of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is amended by adding after section 102 (50 U.S.C. ยง 1802) the following: "AUTHORIZATION FOR ACQUISITION OF FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION "SEC. 102A. (a) IN GENERAL.--Notwithstanding any other law, the President, acting through the Attorney General may, for periods of up to one year, authorize the acquisition of foreign intelligence information concerning persons reasonably believed to be outside the United States if the Attorney General certifies in writing under oath that the Attorney General has determined that -- "(1) the acquisition does not constitute electronic surveillance; "(2) the acquisition involves obtaining the foreign intelligence information from or with the assistance of a communications service provider, custodian, or other person (including any officer, employee, agent, or other specified person of such service provider, custodian, or other person) who has access to communications, either as they are transmitted or while they are stored, or equipment that is being or may be used to transmit or store such communications; "(3) a significant purpose of the acquisition is to obtain foreign intelligence information; and "(4) the minimization procedures to be used with respect to such acquisition activity meet the definition of minimization procedures under section 101(h). "(b) SPECIFIC PLACE NOT REQUIRED.--A certification under subsection (a) is not required to identify the specific facilities, places, premises, or property at which the acquisition of foreign intelligence information will be directed. "(c) SUBMISSION OF CERTIFICATION.--The Attorney General shall immediately transmit under seal to the court established under section 103(a) a copy of a certification made under subsection (a). Such certification shall be maintained under security measures established by the Chief Justice of the United States and the Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, and shall remain sealed unless the certification is necessary to determine the legality of the acquisition under section 102B. "(d) MINIMIZATION PROCEDURES.--An acquisition under this section may be conducted only in accordance with the certification of the Attorney General and the minimization procedures adopted by the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall assess compliance with such procedures and shall report such assessments to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate under section 108(a). "DIRECTIVES RELATING TO ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE AND OTHER ACQUISITIONS OF FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION "SEC. 102B. (a) DIRECTIVE.--With respect to an authorization of an acquisition under section 102A, the Attorney General may direct a person to "(1) immediately provide the Government with all information, facilities, and assistance necessary to accomplish the acquisition of foreign intelligence information in such a manner as will protect the secrecy of the acquisition and produce a minimum of interference with the services that such person is providing to the target; and "(2) maintain under security procedures approved by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence any records concerning the acquisition or the aid furnished that such person wishes to maintain. "(b) COMPENSATION.--The Government shall compensate, at the prevailing rate, a person for providing information, facilities, or assistance pursuant to subsection (a). "(c) FAILURE TO COMPLY.--In the case of a failure to comply with a directive issued pursuant to subsection (a), the Attorney General may invoke the aid of the court established under section 103(a) to compel compliance with the directive. The court shall issue an order requiring the person to comply with the directive if it finds that the directive was issued in accordance with subsection (a) and is otherwise lawful. Failure to obey an order of the court may be punished by the court as contempt of court. Any process under this section may be served in any judicial district in which the person may be found. "(d) REVIEW OF PETITIONS.--(1) (A) A person receiving a directive issued pursuant to subsection (a) may challenge the legality of that directive by filing a petition with the pool established under section 103(e)(1). "(B) The presiding judge designated pursuant to section 103(b) shall assign a petition filed under subparagraph (A) to one of the judges serving in the pool established by section 103(e)(1). Not later than 48 hours after the assignment of such petition, the assigned judge shall conduct an initial review of the directive. If the assigned judge determines that the petition is frivolous, the assigned judge shall immediately deny the petition and affirm the directive or any part of the directive that is the subject of the petition. If the assigned judge determines the petition is not frivolous, the assigned judge shall, within 72 hours, consider the petition in accordance with the procedures established under section 103(e) (2) and provide a written statement for the record of the reasons for any determination under this subsection. "(2) A judge considering a petition to modify or set aside a directive may grant such petition only if the judge finds that such directive does not meet the requirements of this section or is otherwise unlawful. If the judge does not modify or set aside the directive, the judge shall immediately affirm such directive, and order the recipient to comply with such directive. "(3) Any directive not explicitly modified or set aside under this subsection shall remain in full effect. "(e) APPEALS.--The Government or a person receiving a directive reviewed pursuant to subsection (d) may file a petition with the Court of Review established under section 103(b) for review of the decision issued pursuant to subsection (d) not later than 7 days after the issuance of such decision. Such court of review shall have jurisdiction to consider such petitions and shall provide for the record a written statement of the reasons for its decision. On petition for a writ of certiorari by the Government or any person receiving such directive, the record shall be transmitted under seal to the Supreme Court, which shall have jurisdiction to review such decision. "(f) PROCEEDINGS.--Judicial proceedings under this section shall be concluded as expeditiously as possible. The record of proceedings, including petitions filed, orders granted, and statements of reasons for decision, shall be maintained under security measures established by the Chief Justice of the United States, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence. "(g) SEALED PETITIONS.--All petitions under this section shall be filed under seal. In any proceedings under this section, the court shall, upon request of the Government, review ex parte and in camera any Government submission, or portions of a submission, which may include classified information. "(h) LIABILITY.--No cause of action shall lie in any court against any person for providing any information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with a directive under this section. "(i) RETENTION OF DIRECTIVES AND ORDERS.--A directive made or an order granted under this section shall be retained for a period of not less than 10 years from the date on which such directive or such order is made.". (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.--The table of contents in the first section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 102 the following: "102A. Authorization for acquisition of foreign intelligence information. "102B. Directives relating to electronic surveillance and other acquisitions of foreign intelligence information. SEC. 403. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. Section 103(e) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended (A)in paragraph (1), by striking "501(f)(1)" and inserting "10213(d) or 501(f)(1)"; and (B)in paragraph (2), by striking "501(f)(1)" and inserting "10213(d) or 501(f)(1)". SEC. 404. EFFECTIVE DATE. (a)Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this Act shall take effect immediately after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any order in effect on the date of enactment of this Act issued pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) shall remain in effect until the date of expiration of such order, and, at the request of the applicant, the court established under section 103 (a) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1803(a)) may reauthorize such order as long as the facts and circumstances continue to justify issuance of such order under the provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, as in effect on the day before the applicable effective date of this Act. The court established under section 103(a) of such Act shall extinguish any such order at the request of the applicant. SEC. 405. CLARIFICATION ON THE DEFINITION OF ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801) is hereby amended by adding a new section 112 as follows: "Section 112. Clarifications on the Definition of Electronic Surveillance. (1) Whenever a member of the Intelligence Community, as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a), as amended, intentionally acquires the communications of a non-U.S. person reasonably believed to be located outside the United States and the primary purpose of such acquisition to acquire the communications of a particular, known person reasonably believed to be located in the United States, such activities shall be considered "electronic surveillance" as defined in section 101(f) (1)."
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