Legis Daily

Fourth Amendment Restoration Act

USA119th CongressHR-117| House 
| Updated: 1/3/2025
Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs

Republican Representative

Arizona

Judiciary Committee, Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, named the "Fourth Amendment Restoration Act," aims to significantly reform government surveillance practices by repealing the entire Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) . Its primary objective is to enhance protections for United States citizens against intelligence-gathering activities. The legislation seeks to restore Fourth Amendment principles by imposing stricter requirements on how the government can collect information on its citizens. The bill mandates that a federal court warrant, issued under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, must be obtained before conducting electronic surveillance or physical searches targeting a United States citizen. This warrant requirement also extends to the installation of pen registers or trap and trace devices, the production of tangible items, and the general targeting of citizens for foreign intelligence information. These provisions ensure that intelligence activities concerning U.S. citizens are subject to judicial oversight similar to domestic law enforcement. Furthermore, the legislation restricts the use of information concerning United States citizens. It explicitly prohibits using any information acquired under Executive Order 12333 or incidentally during surveillance of non-citizens as evidence against a U.S. citizen in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding. The bill also establishes criminal sanctions, including fines and imprisonment, for individuals who intentionally engage in unauthorized surveillance activities against United States citizens or misuse such illegally obtained information.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-8173
Fourth Amendment Restoration Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-237
Fourth Amendment Restoration Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-6804
Fourth Amendment Restoration Act
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-8173
    Fourth Amendment Restoration Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-237
    Fourth Amendment Restoration Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-6804
    Fourth Amendment Restoration Act


  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.

Armed Forces and National Security

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingEvidence and witnessesIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationJurisdiction and venueLaw enforcement officersRight of privacyTelephone and wireless communication

Fourth Amendment Restoration Act

USA119th CongressHR-117| House 
| Updated: 1/3/2025
This bill, named the "Fourth Amendment Restoration Act," aims to significantly reform government surveillance practices by repealing the entire Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) . Its primary objective is to enhance protections for United States citizens against intelligence-gathering activities. The legislation seeks to restore Fourth Amendment principles by imposing stricter requirements on how the government can collect information on its citizens. The bill mandates that a federal court warrant, issued under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, must be obtained before conducting electronic surveillance or physical searches targeting a United States citizen. This warrant requirement also extends to the installation of pen registers or trap and trace devices, the production of tangible items, and the general targeting of citizens for foreign intelligence information. These provisions ensure that intelligence activities concerning U.S. citizens are subject to judicial oversight similar to domestic law enforcement. Furthermore, the legislation restricts the use of information concerning United States citizens. It explicitly prohibits using any information acquired under Executive Order 12333 or incidentally during surveillance of non-citizens as evidence against a U.S. citizen in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding. The bill also establishes criminal sanctions, including fines and imprisonment, for individuals who intentionally engage in unauthorized surveillance activities against United States citizens or misuse such illegally obtained information.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-8173
Fourth Amendment Restoration Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-237
Fourth Amendment Restoration Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-6804
Fourth Amendment Restoration Act
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-8173
    Fourth Amendment Restoration Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-237
    Fourth Amendment Restoration Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-6804
    Fourth Amendment Restoration Act


  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs

Republican Representative

Arizona

Judiciary Committee, Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingEvidence and witnessesIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationJurisdiction and venueLaw enforcement officersRight of privacyTelephone and wireless communication