Digital Security Commission Act of 2016
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (1 Apr 2016): Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
What this bill does
H.R. 4651, the Digital Security Commission Act of 2016, would create a 16-member National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges within the legislative branch. The commission would study the intersection of encryption, digital security technology, national security, law enforcement, privacy, and economic competitiveness, and would be directed to produce an interim report within six months and a final report within 12 months of its first meeting, including recommendations on legal access to encrypted data, wiretap and warrant procedures, and international standards for obtaining digital evidence. Reports would require agreement from at least 12 of 16 members, with dissenting views allowed.
The bill affects how Congress approaches encryption and digital-security policy broadly. Commission members would be appointed by House and Senate leaders (eight by majority leadership, eight by minority leadership) plus one nonvoting member named by the President, drawn from fields such as cryptography, law enforcement, intelligence, technology industry, and civil liberties. The commission's findings could eventually inform legislation affecting technology companies, law enforcement, and the public, though the bill itself does not change existing law.
The bill would not authorize any new appropriated funds, relying instead on existing resources. Introduced February 29, 2016, in the 114th Congress by Rep. Michael McCaul with bipartisan cosponsors, it was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs. It received no further action or vote before the end of that Congress and did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Digital Security Commission Act of 2016
This bill establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges to assess, and make recommendations for policy and practice concerning, the issue of multiple security interests in the digital world, including public safety, privacy, national security, and communications and data protection, both now and throughout the next 10 years.
Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and Senate majority leader (eight members), the minority leaders in the House and the Senate (eight members), and the President (one member) from among U.S. citizens with significant knowledge and primary experience in:
• cryptography,
• global commerce and economics,
• federal law enforcement,
• state and local law enforcement,
• the consumer-facing technology sector,
Timeline
1 Apr 2016
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4651 do?
- H.R. 4651, the Digital Security Commission Act of 2016, would create a 16-member National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges within the legislative branch. The commission would study the intersection of encryption, digital security technology, national security, law enforcement, privacy, and economic competitiveness, and would be directed to produce an interim report within six months and a final report within 12 months of its first meeting, including recommendations on legal access to encrypted data, wiretap and warrant procedures, and international standards for obtaining digital evidence. Reports would require agreement from at least 12 of 16 members, with dissenting views allowed. The bill affects how Congress approaches encryption and digital-security policy broadly. Commission members would be appointed by House and Senate leaders (eight by majority leadership, eight by minority leadership) plus one nonvoting member named by the President, drawn from fields such as cryptography, law enforcement, intelligence, technology industry, and civil liberties. The commission's findings could eventually inform legislation affecting technology companies, law enforcement, and the public, though the bill itself does not change existing law. The bill would not authorize any new appropriated funds, relying instead on existing resources. Introduced February 29, 2016, in the 114th Congress by Rep. Michael McCaul with bipartisan cosponsors, it was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs. It received no further action or vote before the end of that Congress and did not become law.
- Has H.R. 4651 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4651. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4651?
- H.R. 4651 was sponsored by Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10] (R-TX), with 27 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4651?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. (1 Apr 2016).
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