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H.R. 1582 116th Congress House

Electronic Message Preservation Act

Official title: To amend title 44, United States Code, to require preservation of certain electronic records by Federal agencies, to require a certification and reports relati… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend title 44, United States Code, to require preservation of certain electronic records by Federal agencies, to require a certification and reports relating to Presidential records, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 7, 2019 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightDigital mediaGovernment information and archives
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National Archives and Records AdministrationPresidential administrations
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 13, 2019
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Mar 12, 2019
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 12, 2019
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2666)
Mar 12, 2019
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2666)
Mar 12, 2019
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1582.
Mar 12, 2019
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2665-2667)
Mar 12, 2019
Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Mar 7, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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 7, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 13, 2019

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Electronic Message Preservation Act

This bill requires the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to regulate federal agency preservation of electronic messages that are federal records.

NARA's regulations must (1) require the electronic capture, management, and preservation of such records in accordance with the Federal Records Act; (2) require such records to be retrievable through electronic searches; (3) include timelines for federal agency implementation of the regulations that ensure compliance as expeditiously as practicable; (4) establish functional requirements for electronic records management systems and a process to ensure that such systems meet the functional requirements; and (5) include requirements for the capture, management, and preservation of other electronic records.

Agencies must publicly report on their compliance with the regulations.

NARA must (1) establish standards for the management of electronic presidential records during a President's term of office, (2) certify annually whether a President's electronic records management controls meet the requirements of the Presidential Records Act, and (3) report after the conclusion of a President's term of office regarding electronic records deposited into the presidential archival depository and whether electronic records management controls met specified requirements.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 1376 Reintroduction of Electronic Message Preservation Act of 2017
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1582: Electronic Message Preservation Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1582/
MLA
"H.R. 1582: Electronic Message Preservation Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1582/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1582, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1582/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1582: Electronic Message Preservation Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-1582/)
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