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S. 278 114th Congress Senate

Citizen Empowerment Act

Official title: A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to establish certain procedures for conducting in-person or telephone interactions by executive branch employees with individuals, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 28, 2015 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCivil actions and liabilityCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationEvidence and witnesses
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Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsTax administration and collection, taxpayersTelephone and wireless communication
This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) 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
Jan 28, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Jan 28, 2015
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action January 28, 2015

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Citizen Empowerment Act

Requires any executive agency employee who is conducting a covered interaction with an individual to allow the individual to make an audio recording of such interaction at the individual's expense and with the individual's equipment. Defines "covered interaction" as an in-person or telephonic official interaction relating to a possible violation of a federal statute or regulation that could result in the imposition of a fine or penalty against, the forfeiture of property by, or the collection of an unpaid tax, fine, or penalty from, the individual or a business owned or operated by the individual.

Permits the employee conducting a covered interaction to record it if the employee: (1) informs the individual prior to or at the initiation of the interaction, and (2) provides the individual with a transcript or copy of the recording upon request and with the individual's reimbursement.

Requires the employee, before or at an initial covered interaction, to provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of such individual's rights under this Act.

Exempts any such interaction that is likely to include the discussion of: (1) classified material; or (2) information that, if released publicly, would endanger public safety or an ongoing criminal investigation.

Subjects any executive agency employee who violates this Act to disciplinary action.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 278: Citizen Empowerment Act. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-278/
MLA
"S. 278: Citizen Empowerment Act." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-278/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 278, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-278/.
Markdown link
[S. 278: Citizen Empowerment Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-278/)
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