HR 695 105th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Administrative procedure American economic assistance American military assistance Armed Forces and National Security Business intelligence Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Commerce Computer crimes Computer industry Computer networks Computer security measures Computer software Computers Computers and government Conferences Congress Congressional oversight Congressional reporting requirements Consumer goods

Security and Freedom Through Encryption (SAFE) Act

Introduced: February 12, 1997 See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 45 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Mar 30, 1998

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1701-1702)

Sep 29, 1997

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 105-108, Part V.

Sep 29, 1997

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 160.

Sep 25, 1997

House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 29, 1997.

Sep 24, 1997

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 6.

Sep 24, 1997

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Sep 16, 1997

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent). H. Rept. 105-108, Part IV.

Sep 12, 1997

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on National Security. H. Rept. 105-108, Part III.

Sep 11, 1997

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Sep 11, 1997

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Sep 11, 1997

House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 26, 1997.

Sep 11, 1997

House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent) Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 16, 1997.

Sep 9, 1997

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Sep 9, 1997

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Sep 9, 1997

Committee Hearings Held.

Sep 5, 1997

House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 12, 1997.

Sep 4, 1997

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Jul 31, 1997

House Committee on National Security Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 12, 1997.

Jul 30, 1997

House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent) Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 12, 1997.

Jul 30, 1997

Committee Hearings Held.

Jul 25, 1997

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 105-108, Part II.

Jul 25, 1997

Mr. Dickey asked unanimous consent that the Committee on International Relations have until midnight on July 25 to file a report on H.R. 695. Agreed to without objection.

Jul 22, 1997

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Jul 22, 1997

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Jul 14, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

Jun 26, 1997

Referred jointly and sequentially to the House Committee on Commerce for a period ending not later than Sept. 5, 1997 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment reported by the Committee on the Judiciary as fall within the jurisdiction of that commitee pursuant to clause 1(e), rule X.

Jun 26, 1997

Referred jointly and sequentially to the House Committee on National Security for a period ending not later than Sept. 5, 1997 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment reported by the Committee on the Judiciary as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(k), rule X.

Jun 26, 1997

Referred jointly and sequentially to the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select) for a period ending not later than Sept. 5, 1997 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment reported by the Committee on the Judiciary as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to rule XLVIII.

Jun 26, 1997

House Committee on International Relations Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 25, 1997.

Jun 24, 1997

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Jun 24, 1997

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

May 22, 1997

House Committee on International Relations Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 11, 1997.

May 22, 1997

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-108, Part I.

May 14, 1997

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

May 14, 1997

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Apr 30, 1997

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Apr 30, 1997

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Mar 20, 1997

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Mar 5, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.

Mar 3, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.

Feb 12, 1997

Referred to House International Relations

Feb 12, 1997

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Feb 12, 1997

Referred to House Judiciary

Feb 12, 1997

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E245-246)

Feb 12, 1997

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Security and Freedom Through Encryption (SAFE) Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit any person within any State and any U.S. person in a foreign country to use, and any person within any State to sell in interstate commerce, any encryption regardless of the encryption algorithm selected, encryption key length chosen, or implementation technique or medium used. Makes an exception for and prohibits knowingly and willfully encrypting incriminating communications or information relating to commission of a felony to conceal such information from law enforcement agencies.

Specifies that no person in lawful possession of a key to encrypted communications or information may be required by Federal or State law to relinquish to another person control of that key, with an exception for access for law enforcement purposes.

(Sec. 3) Grants the Secretary of Commerce, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Defense, authority to control the export of encryption products not controlled on the United States Munitions List. Declares that decisions by the Secretary regarding such exportation are not subject to judicial review.

Makes encryption products with encryption strength equal to or less than the level identified in this section eligible for export under a license exception after a one-time review, if the encryption product being exported: (1) does not include features that would otherwise require licensing under applicable regulations; (2) is not destined for countries, end-users, or end-uses that the Secretary has determined, with the Defense Secretary's concurrence, are ineligible to receive such products; and (3) is otherwise qualified for export.

Directs the President to notify the Congress annually of the maximum level of encryption strength that could be exported from the United States under license exception pursuant to this section without harm to U.S. national security. Bars such level from becoming effective until 60 days after such notification.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Attorney General to compile, maintain in classified form, and make available to any Member of Congress, upon request, data on the instances in which encryption has interfered with, impeded, or obstructed the ability of the Department of Justice to enforce the U.S. criminal laws.

What's happening now March 30, 1998

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1701-1702)

Committees of jurisdiction 8