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H.R. 3152 106th Congress House

Public Interest Declassification Act of 1999

Official title: To provide for the identification, collection, and review for declassification of records and materials that are of extraordinary public interest to the people… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To provide for the identification, collection, and review for declassification of records and materials that are of extraordinary public interest to the people of the United States, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 27, 1999 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative remediesArchivesArmed Forces and National SecurityArts, Culture, Religion
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Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesClassified defense informationCongressCongressional oversightCongressional reporting requirementsEconomics and Public FinanceExecutive reorganizationFederal advisory bodiesFreedom of informationGovernment paperworkHistoryLawLegislationNational Archives and Records AdministrationPresidential librariesPresidential powersReprogramming of appropriated fundsSecurity classification (Government documents)Standards
This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 3, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Oct 27, 1999
Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
Oct 27, 1999
Introduced in House
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 Latest action November 3, 1999

Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Public Interest Declassification Act of 1999 - Establishes within the National Archives and Records Administration the Public Interest Declassification Board to: (1) direct and provide for the thorough, coordinated, comprehensive, and cost-effective identification, collection, review for declassification, and release to Congress, interested agencies, and the public of records and materials that are of extraordinary public interest; and (2) provide Congress, interested agencies, and the public with the fullest possible access to a documentary record of significant U.S. national security decisions and activities in order to support congressional oversight and legislative functions and executive policymaking, respond to public interest in national security matters, and promote reliable historical analysis and new avenues of historical study in national security matters.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Board to recommend to the Archivist of the United States that an agency or Federal Presidential library (library) be directed to carry out records and materials identification, collection, and declassification review activities. Requires such agency or library to release records and materials that are unclassified or declassified as a result of such review.

(Sec. 5) States that nothing in this Act shall limit the head of an agency to classify information or to continue the classification of information previously classified, or to grant or deny access to a special access program.

(Sec. 6) Requires each agency and library that possesses or controls classified records or materials to develop standards and procedures for Board access thereto, as well as appropriate access by Board employees or employees of such agency or library. Provides access limits. Requires an annual activities report from the Board to the congressional intelligence committees.

(Sec. 7) States that this Act does not create any right or benefit subject to judicial review.

(Sec. 8) Directs the President to include in each annual budget submission a request for amounts for Board activities, including amounts to be transferred to agencies and libraries for activities under this Act. Requires such agency or library to provide the Board an estimate of such costs. Directs the Archivist to transfer to an agency or library the amount recommended by the Board. Authorizes the Board to recommend to the Archivist that additional amounts be transferred to such agency or library to ensure compliance with this Act.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3152: Public Interest Declassification Act of 1999. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3152/
MLA
"H.R. 3152: Public Interest Declassification Act of 1999." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3152/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3152, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3152/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3152: Public Interest Declassification Act of 1999](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3152/)
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