PRIVACY Act
Sponsored By: Representative Self, Keith [R-TX-3]
Introduced
Summary
Limits federal access to state and local surveillance data. This bill would create a formal “Jurisdictional Wall List” of state and local surveillance devices and technologies and would generally require a federal judge’s warrant before federal agents access that data, with narrow emergency exceptions.
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- Families and individuals: Strengthens privacy for images, audio, location and metadata collected by local cameras and sensors. Covered data must be deleted after 30 days unless a court extends retention up to 90 more days or the data is needed for prosecution.
- Federal law enforcement: Would bar routine queries or receipt of listed surveillance data without a warrant and make unlawfully obtained data inadmissible in federal court. Emergency access is allowed for imminent threats but must be documented within 24 hours and disposed of within 30 days unless a warrant follows.
- State and local agencies: Limits federal funds for buying or installing listed devices, with narrow exceptions for toll collection systems and tightly supervised school violence programs; the bill also clarifies that certain omnibus grant funds may not buy or install listed devices.
- Oversight and remedies: The Attorney General would keep and review the list at least every 90 days and must give public notice before additions. Agencies must report to Congress twice a year and individuals may sue for violations to seek injunctions, damages, and attorney’s fees.
This bill would take effect 180 days after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Federal warrant and data limits
If enacted, federal agents would generally need a Federal judge's warrant to access covered surveillance data collected by state or local devices. Written consent by the person removes the warrant need. In emergencies, agents could get data without a warrant but must document it within 24 hours and delete it within 30 days unless they later obtain a warrant. Data kept under a warrant must usually be deleted after 30 days unless a judge allows up to 90 more days. Data obtained or retained in violation of the rules would generally be barred from Federal court and the government must meet discovery obligations.
Public list and device definitions
If enacted, the Attorney General would create and maintain a public 'Jurisdictional Wall List' of state and local surveillance devices that collect surveillance data. The list must include items such as license plate readers, cameras that capture vehicle occupants, continuous location cameras, long-range microphones, electronic fingerprint detectors, and field chemical scanners, and it must be reviewed at least every 90 days. The bill would also define 'surveillance data' and make clear that 'covered surveillance data' means data from devices on that list as of the date of collection.
Rules, audits, and reporting schedule
If enacted, the Attorney General would issue rules requiring prompt deletion of non-pertinent covered data, strict segregation to avoid scope creep, audits, and staff training. The Act would bar using covered data to identify or target people for protected First Amendment activity without probable cause and a warrant. Inspectors General would audit agency compliance and the Attorney General would report to Congress every 180 days, beginning 180 days after the law takes effect. The Act itself would take effect 180 days after enactment.
Civil suits and worker discipline
If enacted, any person whose covered surveillance data was obtained in violation of the Act would be able to sue the United States or the agency for declaratory and injunctive relief, actual damages, and reasonable attorney's fees. The bill would waive sovereign immunity to allow those suits to proceed. Federal law enforcement employees who knowingly or recklessly break the Act would be subject to administrative sanctions such as suspension or termination and referral to an Office of Professional Responsibility.
Ban on federal buying of listed devices
If enacted, Federal funds could not be used to purchase, acquire, or install any device on the Jurisdictional Wall List. Narrow exceptions would apply, such as federally funded toll-collection systems, certain narrowly limited school violence prevention programs with oversight, some grants under section 1701 if they follow the Act's minimization and retention limits, and portable systems used under a warrant. The bill would also bar Byrne JAG grants from buying devices on the list.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Self, Keith [R-TX-3]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Crane
AZ • R
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9]
GA • R
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7]
MO • R
Sponsored 8/20/2026
Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
ID • R
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
AK • R
Sponsored 9/1/2026
Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]
TX • R
Sponsored 9/1/2026
Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]
MD • R
Sponsored 9/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov