Bill · S. 4082· Senate(119-S-4082)
Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/12/2026
- Last activity
- 3/12/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Ron Wyden
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026 implements various reforms to foreign intelligence surveillance authorities. It establishes new protections for United States persons and people located in the U.S. regarding warrantless queries and data collection. The bill prohibits federal law enforcement from purchasing personal data from data brokers and adds stricter court supervision for targeting individuals. It also introduces accountability procedures for federal employees who commit surveillance violations and extends section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for four years.
Yes· 3 of 32
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+9
Strongly increases protections against warrantless government surveillance and data acquisition.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+8
Implements strict warrant requirements for queries of U.S. person data and bans data broker purchases.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+7
Adds accountability for employees violating surveillance laws and requires better accuracy in FISA applications.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-3
Extends federal surveillance authorities under FISA Section 702.
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?-2
Extends section 702 surveillance authorities for an additional four years.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Warrant Requirements for Queries: Prevents government officers from accessing covered information from queries involving U.S. persons without a warrant, except in specific emergencies or with consent (Section 101).
- Ban on Data Broker Purchases: Prohibits federal law enforcement from buying covered personal data from data brokers, preventing the bypass of traditional legal processes to get personal info (Section 201).
- Data Deletion Limits: Requires that covered information be destroyed within 5 years of collection unless specific legal exceptions apply (Section 104).
- Privacy for Car Data: Protects car data from federal warrantless searches (Title VII, Section 701).
- Employee Accountability: Creates a system of escalating consequences, including termination of security clearance or employment, for federal employees who willfully or negligently violate surveillance laws (Section 311).
- Increased Transparency: Requires the declassification and public release of significant court decisions and opinions (Section 308).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Extension of Surveillance Authorities: Extends the authority of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 for an additional four years, allowing the continued use of these surveillance powers (Section 111).
- Emergency Access Exceptions: Allows the government to access covered information without a warrant if an official believes an emergency involving imminent death or serious bodily harm exists (Section 101).
- Broad Law Enforcement Exceptions: Allows federal agencies to purchase data from brokers if it is part of a larger compilation and they "minimize" the data, which may still allow some data acquisition (Section 201).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants+4Good For African Americans+2Good For Asian Americans+2Good For Billionaires+2Good For Children+2Good For High Income Households+2Good For High Net Worth Individuals+2Good For Hispanic Americans+2Good For L G B T Q Community+2Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Men+2Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Native Americans+2Good For People With Disabilities+2Good For Retirees+2Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Seniors+2Good For Students+2Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals+2Good For Urban Residents+2Good For Veterans+2Good For White Americans+2Good For Women+2Good For Young Adults+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+9Improves Due Process+7Improves Government Transparency+6Increases Federal Power-3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+8
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+2Increases Domestic Surveillance-2
- 3/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
4 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-7901: Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026
- 119-HR-9016: Email Privacy Act
- 119-S-4649: Email Privacy Act
- 119-S-4739: A bill to implement reforms relating to foreign intelligence surveillance authorities, to prohibit reverse targeting of United States persons and persons located in the United States, and for other purposes.
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts