Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced
Summary
Curb warrantless surveillance of people in the United States. This bill would sharply limit warrantless queries and acquisitions under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and related authorities, tighten the standard to a 'primary' foreign‑intelligence purpose, and add broad new oversight, reporting, and accountability requirements.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Limits on intelligence dataset purchases
If enacted, the bill would bar intelligence elements from buying datasets that include "covered data" linked or reasonably linkable to people or household devices, with only narrow exceptions. Covered data includes re‑identifiable or anonymized data that can be linked back to a person or device. Data acquired in violation of this rule generally could not be used or admitted as evidence. The Director of National Intelligence would have to report publicly within 180 days and annually on acquisitions and estimated affected people.
Stronger court oversight and transparency
If enacted, the bill would increase court and public oversight of surveillance. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court would be required to appoint privacy and technical amici in many important cases and courts must put written reasons on the record for ancillary claims. The Attorney General must issue accuracy procedures within 180 days and the DNI must publish estimates and declassification reviews (many deadlines are 90–180 days). Inspectors General must audit FISA and Section 702 programs within one year and produce unclassified reports.
Tighter limits on warrantless surveillance
If enacted, this bill would sharply limit warrantless government searches and queries of people in the United States. It would ban warrantless queries of "covered information," bar taking U.S.-to-U.S. communications for foreign intelligence, and stop intentional "reverse targeting" of people mainly to get a covered person's data. The bill would raise the foreign-intelligence purpose standard to require it be the "primary" purpose and widen who is protected by replacing "United States person" with "covered person" for some limits. Narrow exceptions would remain for valid FISA or court orders, case-by-case consent, and true emergencies; emergency uses generally must be reported within 14 days.
New rules for web and location data
If enacted, the bill would treat location information, web browsing records, and search query records as protected categories that generally require a warrant. It would remove the old 180‑day exception for stored communications and require warrants for prospective web-browsing and many location disclosures (prospective web disclosures limited to 30 days unless renewed). The bill would also restrict intermediary and ancillary providers from knowingly disclosing contents or subscriber records to government entities and set stronger rules for when providers may notify users.
New warrant rules for car data
If enacted, the bill would generally require a Rule 41 warrant for federal access to most onboard and telematics data from noncommercial vehicles. Operators could also consent in writing or recorded oral form, and owners or lessees may consent if the operator is unavailable. In true emergencies, specified officers could access data but must file a warrant application within 48 hours; improperly accessed vehicle data would generally be treated as unlawfully obtained and inadmissible in proceedings.
Accountability rules for intelligence employees
If enacted, the heads of the FBI, CIA, NSA, and NCTC would have to adopt procedures to investigate and discipline employees who negligently, recklessly, or willfully violate surveillance rules. Agencies must track incidents, investigate centrally, apply escalating penalties (from 90‑day suspensions to termination for repeat or willful violations), and report actions to Congress within 180 days.
Attorney General may delay start
If enacted, the bill would let the Attorney General delay the start of any provision in the Act for up to one year. The AG must inform congressional committees why extra time is needed to build systems or hire and train staff before delaying a rule.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
WY • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov