Free Flow of Information Act of 2007

Summary

Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 - Prohibits a federal entity from compelling a covered person (journalists and their employers, etc.) to testify or produce any document relating to protected information unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence, including that all reasonable alternative sources have been exhausted and that nondisclosure would be contrary to the public interest, taking into account both the public interest in compelling disclosure and the public interest in gathering news and maintaining the free flow of information. Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored. Creates exceptions relating to criminal or tortious conduct, prevention of death, kidnapping, or substantial bodily injury, prevention of terrorist activity, or prevention of national security harm. Applies this Act to communications service providers with regard to testimony or any record, information, or other communication that relates to a business transaction between such providers and covered persons. Sets forth notice requirements. Permits a court to delay notice to a covered person upon determining that such notice would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of a criminal investigation. Declares that this Act does not supersede, dilute, or preclude any law or court decision compelling or not compelling disclosure by a covered person or communications service provider of information identifying a source who provided information without a confidentiality promise made as part of engaging in journalism or records, communication data, documents, or information obtained without a confidentiality promise.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 10 September 2007

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 10 September 2007

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11329-11330)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 10 September 2007

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 27 September 2007

   Committee

   Committee on the Judiciary. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.

   Source: Committee

5. 4 October 2007

   Reported

   Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

   Source: Committee

6. 22 October 2007

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 434.

   Source: Calendars

7. 22 October 2007

   Reported

   Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with amendments. Without written report.

   Source: Committee

8. 22 October 2007

   Reported

   Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with amendments. Without written report.

   Source: Committee

9. 28 July 2008

   Floor

   Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S7554)

   Source: Floor

10. 29 July 2008

    Floor

    Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S7595-7619, S7704-7708)

    Source: Floor

11. 30 July 2008

    Floor

    Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S7710-7722, S7722-7759)

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Reported to Senate · 22 October 2007 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 10 September 2007 · Official file

Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 22 October 2007

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 22 October 2007

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 22 October 2007

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 10 September 2007

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 10 September 2007

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 10 September 2007

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN] · R · Sponsor
• Charles Schumer · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT-2] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Johnson, Tim [D-SD-At Large] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA-6] · D · Cosponsor
• Amy Klobuchar · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Salazar, Ken [D-CO] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Obama, Barack [D-IL] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Dole, Elizabeth [R-NC] · R · Cosponsor
• Patty Murray · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Webb, Jim [D-VA] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [D-CT] · ID · Cosponsor
• Richard Durbin · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Baucus, Max [D-MT-1] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] · D · Cosponsor
• · ssju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Free Flow of Information Act of 2007