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119-hr-8470119th CongressWALLET

Surveillance Accountability Act

Sponsored By: Representative Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a broad warrant requirement for government searches and access to third-party data. This bill would require warrants based on probable cause for searches and would create a private civil right to sue for violations of Fourth Amendment rights.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Companies must get warrants for your data

This bill would generally require the government to get a warrant to access data held by companies. That includes bank and payment records, phone and internet metadata, cloud files, and other third-party consumer data. A company's cooperation would not remove the warrant rule unless the user gave a clear, knowing, and voluntary waiver.

Warrants required for most searches

This bill would make a warrant the normal rule for government searches. A neutral magistrate would need to find probable cause and describe where to search and what to seize. The bill would define "search" to cover location, communications, device activity, biometrics, behavioral signals, and financial records. Plain-view would be narrowly defined and would not include enhanced or systematic surveillance.

Warrantless exceptions and limits on tracking

This bill would list narrow cases where searches can be done without a warrant, like plain-view, ID checks, public posts, public records collection, consent searches, and exigent emergencies. It would also say those exceptions do not allow mass collection, retention, querying, or analysis of identifiers when the person did not give informed, voluntary consent. The bill would specifically protect biometric data and automated license-plate data from routine warrantless mass handling.

Right to sue for illegal searches

This bill would let a person sue anyone who, under U.S. law, violates their Fourth Amendment rights. Courts could award reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing plaintiff other than the United States. The bill would not let a federal employee sue the United States for acts within their official job.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4]

KY • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 4/23/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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