Sensible Classification Act of 2023
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (3 Nov 2023): Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.
What this bill does
H.R. 5977, the Sensible Classification Act of 2023, seeks to overhaul how the federal government classifies and declassifies national security information. It would formalize who may grant original classification authority, require training before such authority is delegated, and set procedures for handling information that lower-level employees believe needs classification. It would require agencies to review and process for declassification any classified records over 25 years old identified during Freedom of Information Act or mandatory declassification requests. It also directs training programs aimed at discouraging over-classification, expands staffing and membership continuity for the Public Interest Declassification Board, and calls for research into AI-based tools to improve classification and declassification systems.
The bill primarily affects federal agencies, their employees, and contractors who handle classified information or hold security clearances. It would require agency heads, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Secretaries of Defense and Energy to study and report to Congress on the number of personnel holding clearances or access to sensitive programs, with the goal of minimizing that number. Independent oversight bodies would then review those findings.
The bill was introduced on October 17, 2023, by Rep. Brad Wenstrup with Rep. Abigail Spanberger, and referred to the House Committees on Oversight and Accountability, Intelligence, and Energy and Commerce. It has not received a committee vote or further action and would need to pass the House, the Senate, and be signed by the President to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
3 Nov 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 5977 do?
- H.R. 5977, the Sensible Classification Act of 2023, seeks to overhaul how the federal government classifies and declassifies national security information. It would formalize who may grant original classification authority, require training before such authority is delegated, and set procedures for handling information that lower-level employees believe needs classification. It would require agencies to review and process for declassification any classified records over 25 years old identified during Freedom of Information Act or mandatory declassification requests. It also directs training programs aimed at discouraging over-classification, expands staffing and membership continuity for the Public Interest Declassification Board, and calls for research into AI-based tools to improve classification and declassification systems. The bill primarily affects federal agencies, their employees, and contractors who handle classified information or hold security clearances. It would require agency heads, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Secretaries of Defense and Energy to study and report to Congress on the number of personnel holding clearances or access to sensitive programs, with the goal of minimizing that number. Independent oversight bodies would then review those findings. The bill was introduced on October 17, 2023, by Rep. Brad Wenstrup with Rep. Abigail Spanberger, and referred to the House Committees on Oversight and Accountability, Intelligence, and Energy and Commerce. It has not received a committee vote or further action and would need to pass the House, the Senate, and be signed by the President to become law.
- Has H.R. 5977 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 5977. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 5977?
- H.R. 5977 was sponsored by Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2] (R-OH), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 5977?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security. (3 Nov 2023).
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