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HR 1800 111th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Civil actions and liability Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal justice information and records Criminal procedure and sentencing Evidence and witnesses First Amendment rights Government information and archives Government liability Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information Judicial review and appeals Right of privacy

National Security Letters Reform Act of 2009

Introduced: March 30, 2009 Introduced by: Nadler, Jerrold Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) 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 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 27, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Apr 27, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Mar 30, 2009
Referred to House Financial Services
Mar 30, 2009
Referred to House Judiciary
Mar 30, 2009
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.
Mar 30, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

National Security Letters Reform Act of 2009 - Prohibits a national security letter (letter) (a request for information sought by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in connection with a criminal investigation) from being issued unless the issuing official certifies specific facts providing reason to believe that the information or records sought pertain to a foreign power or agent thereof. Prohibits a letter from being issued in connection with an investigation of a U.S. person solely upon the basis of activities protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Prohibits: (1) a letter from containing unreasonable requirements or requiring privileged matter; or (2) disclosing to a person that the FBI has sought or obtained access to information under a letter for 30 days after receipt of the FBI's request for such information. Authorizes judicial review for the modification or revocation of a letter.

Provides limited uses of information acquired through a letter. Allows persons against whom evidence obtained from a letter is to be used to file a motion to suppress.

Provides a civil cause of action for the misuse of letters. Requires the authority to issue letters to revert, five years after the enactment of this Act, to that provided by law on October 25, 2001.

Requires the Attorney General to: (1) undertake minimization and destruction procedures with respect to information acquired through letters; and (2) report semiannually on the number and use of letters. Requires the disposal of wrongly acquired information.

Revises requirements relating to claims of emergency in connection with certain letters.

What's happening now April 27, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1800: National Security Letters Reform Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-1800/
MLA
"H.R. 1800: National Security Letters Reform Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-1800/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1800, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-1800/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1800: National Security Letters Reform Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-1800/)
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