This bill seeks to increase transparency and accountability within the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) framework, particularly concerning the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review (FISCR). A key provision ensures direct access for Members of Congress and their designated staff to observe all proceedings of these courts, explicitly revoking previous Attorney General procedures that restricted such access. The bill prohibits the courts from imposing any restrictions on congressional attendees that are not also applied to the Department of Justice, and mandates full visual and audio access even if physical space is limited.

The legislation also significantly reforms the process for designating amicus curiae, or friends of the court, to advise the FISC and FISCR. It establishes a new system where the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House, in consultation with relevant intelligence and judiciary committees, propose lists of individuals from which the presiding judges must designate at least eight amici. This new process immediately replaces all existing amicus designations upon the submission of the first list.

Furthermore, the bill strengthens penalties and civil liability for violations of FISA, including those involving information acquired under Section 702, by deeming such information as electronic surveillance for penalty purposes. It expands civil actions to include perjury and those who knowingly aid in violations, while also establishing a five-year statute of limitations. Finally, the bill extends certain Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorities for an additional eight years and clarifies that existing whistleblower protections for disclosures to congressional committees remain intact.