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H.R. 5143 103rd Congress House

FBI Counterintelligence Act of 1994

Official title: To amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide for disclosures by consumer reporting agencies to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for counterintelligence purposes.

Introduced: September 30, 1994 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Administrative feesArmed Forces and National SecurityBank accountsBank records
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Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCommerceCongressCongressional reporting requirementsConsumer creditCounterintelligenceCriminal investigationDamagesDisciplining of employeesEspionageFederal employeesFinance and Financial SectorFinancial institutionsForeign agentsGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkInjunctionsInternational AffairsLabor and EmploymentLawLegal feesLiability (Law)Punitive damagesRight of privacyState-sponsored terrorism
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This bill died when the 103rd Congress ended
It never became law before the 103rd Congress (1993–1994) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 10 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 8, 1994
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking.
Oct 6, 1994
Received in the Senate.
Oct 5, 1994
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 5, 1994
On passage Passed without objection.
Oct 5, 1994
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
Oct 5, 1994
Mr. Kennedy asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
Oct 5, 1994
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H10943-10944)
Oct 5, 1994
Committee on Banking, Finance + Urban Affrs discharged.
Sep 30, 1994
Referred to the House Committee on Banking, Finance + Urban Affrs.
Sep 30, 1994
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 8, 1994

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

FBI Counterintelligence Act of 1994 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require a consumer reporting agency (agency) to furnish to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) the names and addresses of all financial institutions at which a consumer maintains or has maintained an account, to the extent that such information is in the agency's files, when presented with a written request signed by the Director of the FBI which certifies compliance with this Act.

Permits the Director to make such certification only upon determining in writing that: (1) such information is necessary for the conduct of an authorized foreign counterintelligence investigation; and (2) there are specific and articulable facts giving reason to believe that the consumer is a foreign power or an official of a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power engaging in international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities involving a violation of U.S. criminal statutes (clandestine activities).

Requires an agency to furnish certain identifying information respecting a consumer to the FBI when presented with such a written request.

Authorizes a court to issue an order ex parte directing an agency to furnish a consumer report to the FBI if requested in writing by the Director upon a showing in camera that: (1) the consumer report is necessary for the conduct of an authorized foreign counterintelligence investigation; and (2) there are specific and articulable facts giving reason to believe that the consumer whose consumer report is sought is an agent of a foreign power and is engaging or has engaged in international terrorism or clandestine activities.

Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) confidentiality; (2) payment of fees; (3) limits on dissemination; (4) reporting requirements; (5) damages; (6) disciplinary actions for violations; (7) a good-faith exception (for an agency relying upon an FBI certification); (8) limitation of remedies; and (9) injunctive relief and costs.

Terminates this Act five years after its enactment.

 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5143: FBI Counterintelligence Act of 1994. 103rd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-5143/
MLA
"H.R. 5143: FBI Counterintelligence Act of 1994." 103rd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-5143/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5143, 103rd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-5143/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5143: FBI Counterintelligence Act of 1994](https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-5143/)
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