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H.R. 2102 110th Congress House

Free Flow of Information Act of 2007

Official title: To maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media.

Introduced: May 9, 2007 See on congress.gov
Law Arts, Culture, ReligionAuthors and authorshipBusiness recordsCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
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CommerceConfidential communicationsCrime and Law EnforcementCriminal investigationCriminal procedureDiscovery (Law)Evidence (Law)Freedom of the pressGovernment Operations and PoliticsInformersJournalismJournalistic ethicsNewspapersPeriodicalsPressProsecutionRadio stationsScience, Technology, CommunicationsSubpoenaTelevision stationsWitnesses
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This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) 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 22 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 18, 2007
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 428.
Oct 17, 2007
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Oct 16, 2007
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 16, 2007
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 398 - 21 (Roll no. 973).
Oct 16, 2007
On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 388 - 33 (Roll no. 972). (text: CR H11601)
Oct 16, 2007
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H11601-11602; text: CR H11601)
Oct 16, 2007
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Smith (TX) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the bill back to the House with an amendment regarding authority to consider national security interest.
Oct 16, 2007
Mr. Smith (TX) moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
Oct 16, 2007
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H11601)
Oct 16, 2007
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 742, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Boucher amendment.
Oct 16, 2007
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2102.
Oct 16, 2007
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2102 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted.
Oct 16, 2007
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 742. (consideration: CR H11587-11603; text of measure as introduced: CR H11587-11588; text of measure as reported in House: CR H11588-11589)
Oct 16, 2007
Rule H. Res. 742 passed House.
Oct 15, 2007
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 742 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2102 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted.
Oct 10, 2007
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 229.
Oct 10, 2007
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-370.
Aug 1, 2007
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Aug 1, 2007
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 14, 2007
Committee Hearings Held.
May 2, 2007
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 2, 2007
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Oct 16, 2007 House · vote #973 On Passage Passed 398–21 See who voted →
Oct 16, 2007 House · vote #972 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Passed 388–33 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 3

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

2 agreed to 1 with no recorded outcome

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 854 – Amendment establishes authority for a court to consider the extent of any harm to national security. Agreed to Oct 16, 2007
HAMDT 853 – An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 110-370 to provide the shiel can be pierced to prevent or ide… Agreed to Oct 16, 2007
HAMDT 852 – An amendment in the nature of a substitute made in order as original text for further amendment is considered… No recorded outcome –
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 Latest action October 18, 2007

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 428.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 - Prohibits a federal entity (an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch or an administrative agency) from compelling a covered person (a person engaged in journalism, including their supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate) to testify or produce any document unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence.

Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored.

Applies this Act to communications service providers with regard to testimony or any record, information, or other communication that relates to a business transaction between such providers and covered persons. Sets forth notice requirements. Permits a court to delay notice to a covered person upon determining that such notice would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of a criminal investigation.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • S 1267 Identical bill Free Flow of Information Act of 2007
  • HRES 742 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2102) to maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing…
  • S 2035 Companion bill Free Flow of Information Act of 2007
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 18
All 18 Democratic 14 Republican 2
D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Jul 11, 2007
 D
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Florida · Jul 11, 2007
 R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Jun 28, 2007
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jun 28, 2007
 D
Green, Al
Texas · Jun 15, 2007
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Jun 15, 2007
LAMPSON, NICK
· Jun 13, 2007
 D
Meeks, Gregory W.
New York · Jun 13, 2007
 D
Murphy, Christopher
Connecticut · Jun 13, 2007
 R
Walberg, Tim
Michigan · Jun 13, 2007
 D
Courtney, Joe
Connecticut · Jun 7, 2007
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Jun 7, 2007
 D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · May 17, 2007
 D
Castor, Kathy
Florida · May 17, 2007
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · May 17, 2007
 D
Larson, John B.
Connecticut · May 17, 2007
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · May 9, 2007
Fortuno, Luis
· May 9, 2007
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2102: Free Flow of Information Act of 2007. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-2102/
MLA
"H.R. 2102: Free Flow of Information Act of 2007." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-2102/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2102, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-2102/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2102: Free Flow of Information Act of 2007](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-2102/)
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