summary
Introduced
03/14/2017
03/14/2017
In Committee
03/14/2017
03/14/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
Foreign Agents Registration Modernization and Enforcement Act This bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) to provide that whenever the Department of Justice (DOJ) has reason to believe that a person or enterprise may be in possession or control of documentary material relevant to an investigation under FARA, the DOJ, before initiating a civil or criminal proceeding with respect to the production of such material, may serve a written demand upon the entity to produce the material for examination. The bill includes social media communications under information that foreign agents must file with DOJ. Under certain circumstances, social media communications are exempted from the requirement for foreign agents to include a disclosure statement in informational materials. Informational materials disseminated by a foreign agent as part of an activity that would not require registration, need not be filed. The FARA Registration Unit shall submit a semiannual report to Congress regarding the administration of FARA, including the number of investigations initiated based upon a perceived violation and the number of such investigations that were referred to DOJ for prosecution.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) to give the Department of Justice (DOJ) civil investigative demand authority to obtain relevant documentary material during FARA investigations. It broadens the definition of "informational materials" to include electronic communications like email and social media, while allowing social media posts by foreign agents to omit disclosure statements if the account indicates it represents a foreign principal. The bill also repeals a provision allowing the DOJ to collect FARA registration fees, but adds a new requirement for the DOJ to establish and collect such fees. Additionally, the bill mandates semiannual reports to Congress on FARA administration, including the number of investigations and prosecutions.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (on 03/14/2017)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/625/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s625/BILLS-115s625is.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s625/BILLS-115s625is.pdf.pdf |
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