Skip to main content
S 3191 115th Congress Senate Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Congressional oversight Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal justice information and records Evidence and witnesses Executive agency funding and structure Government information and archives Government studies and investigations Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information Judicial review and appeals National Archives and Records Administration

Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018

Introduced: July 10, 2018 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 22 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 8, 2019
Became Public Law No: 115-426.
Jan 8, 2019
Signed by President.
Dec 27, 2018
Presented to President.
Dec 21, 2018
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 21, 2018
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 - 6 (Roll no. 482). (text: CR H10527-10531)
Dec 21, 2018
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10537-10538)
Dec 21, 2018
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Dec 21, 2018
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3191.
Dec 21, 2018
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10527-10531)
Dec 21, 2018
Mr. Walker moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Dec 19, 2018
Held at the desk.
Dec 19, 2018
Received in the House.
Dec 18, 2018
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 17, 2018
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Dec 17, 2018
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Dec 17, 2018
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7727-7731; text as reported in Senate: CR S7727-7734)
Dec 17, 2018
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7727-7731)
Dec 10, 2018
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-424.
Dec 10, 2018
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 727.
Sep 26, 2018
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 10, 2018
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4877-4878)
Jul 10, 2018
Introduced in Senate
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Dec 21, 2018 House · vote #482 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 376–6 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 1

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.

1 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 4,153 — In the nature of a substitute. Agreed to Dec 17, 2018
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018

This bill requires the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to: (1) establish a collection of civil rights cold case records; (2) prepare and publish the subject guidebook and index to the collection; and (3) establish criteria for transmitting copies of civil rights cold case records to NARA, to include required metadata.

All civil rights cold case records transmitted to NARA for disclosure to the public shall be included in the collection, available to the public for inspection and copying, and prioritized for digitization by NARA.

The bill requires redacted records or records for which public disclosure is postponed to be reviewed annually.

The bill enumerates grounds for which disclosure of records may be postponed, including causing damage to national security, invading personal privacy, or interfering with ongoing law enforcement proceedings.

The bill establishes the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board as an independent agency of impartial private citizens. The board shall consider and render decisions on determinations to seek postponement of disclosure of civil rights cold case records. With the exception of certain administrative records, records of the review board shall not be destroyed.

The review board may request the Department of Justice to petition any court in the United States or abroad to release information relevant to civil rights cold cases held under seal of court. A similar request may be made to a court in the United States for release of information held under an injunction of grand-jury secrecy.

What's happening now January 8, 2019

Became Public Law No: 115-426.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 1272 Related bill Cold Case Record Collections Act of 2017
 Bill text 5 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Cruz, Ted
Texas · Jul 26, 2018
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3191: Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-3191/
MLA
"S. 3191: Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-3191/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3191, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-3191/.
Markdown link
[S. 3191: Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-3191/)
Report a problem