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Antiterrorism Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 1996

Introduced: August 2, 1996 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 2, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Aug 2, 1996
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Antiterrorism Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 1996 - Modifies wiretapping provisions under the Federal criminal code to make certain requirements to obtain an order authorizing the interception of a wire, oral, or electronic communication inapplicable where: (1) the applicant shows that the subject had the intent to thwart interception or that the subject's actions and conduct would have the effect of thwarting interception from a specified facility; and (2) the judge finds that such showing has been adequately made.

Grants authority for the use of: (1) emergency wiretaps in cases involving an act of terrorism; and (2) pen registers and trap and trace devices in foreign counterintelligence investigations.

Adds specified terrorist offenses as predicates under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Authorizes interceptions with respect to specified terrorism-related offenses, such as violations relating to the murder of foreign officials or providing material support to terrorists.

Modifies wiretap provisions to provide that, whenever an order authorizing an interception is entered, the order shall require the attorney for the Government to file a report with the judge who issued the order showing what progress has been made toward achieving the authorized objective and the need for continued interception. Requires such report to be made 15 days after the interception has begun.

Revises the Antiterrorism Act of 1996 to make an exception to the sovereign immunity of a foreign state if certain conditions are met or if neither the claimant nor the victims were U.S. nationals when the act upon which the claim is based occurred.

Makes technical corrections to the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.

What's happening now August 2, 1996

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3960: Antiterrorism Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 1996. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3960/
MLA
"H.R. 3960: Antiterrorism Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 1996." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3960/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3960, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3960/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3960: Antiterrorism Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 1996](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3960/)
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