Bill > HR7901

This bill, the Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026, enacts significant changes to foreign intelligence surveillance authorities, primarily by amending the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA). Key provisions include establishing stricter protections for communications of U.S. persons and individuals located in the United States when their data is collected under Section 702 of FISA, requiring a warrant for certain types of data collection that would otherwise not need one for law enforcement purposes, and limiting the use of such information in criminal, civil, and administrative actions. The bill also prohibits "reverse targeting" of U.S. persons, meaning the government cannot intentionally target individuals outside the U.S. if the primary goal is to obtain information about a specific U.S. person, with limited exceptions. Furthermore, it introduces data retention limits for information collected under Section 702, enhances Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) supervision over demands for technical assistance from service providers, and requires a primary foreign intelligence purpose for queries. The bill also includes provisions to prevent federal law enforcement from purchasing personal data from data brokers, strengthens accuracy procedures for FISA applications, clarifies the definition of "derived" information, and sunsets a grandfather clause related to Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act. It also expands the role and access of amici curiae (court-appointed advisors) in FISC proceedings, mandates declassification of significant FISC decisions, and clarifies FISC jurisdiction over its own records. Additionally, the bill introduces new protections for various types of digital data, such as location information, web browsing records, and search query records, requiring warrants for their acquisition, and reforms how law enforcement can access data from data brokers and vehicle data. Finally, it mandates enhanced reporting and transparency from intelligence agencies and courts regarding surveillance activities and establishes accountability procedures for federal employees who violate surveillance laws.