Bill · S. 4280· Senate(119-S-4280)
SAFE Act
- Introduced
- 4/13/2026
- Last activity
- 4/14/2026 — Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 371.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Lee
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 5
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The SAFE Act of 2026 seeks to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to reauthorize and reform specific authorities. The bill introduces new requirements for query procedures, specifically targeting the Federal Bureau of Investigation's activities and establishing stricter rules for accessing information regarding United States persons. It also implements new accountability and reporting procedures for compliance violations. Additionally, the legislation places limitations on how intelligence and law enforcement agencies can acquire personal data from data brokers. The bill aims to increase transparency and oversight through enhanced reporting and court reforms, while also adjusting notification requirements for unauthorized disclosures to appropriate congressional committees. Finally, the bill allows the Attorney General to delay certain provisions for up to 180 days for technical or personnel reasons.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+8
The bill enhances constitutional protections by requiring higher standards and court orders for accessing communication content of US persons and limiting unauthorized disclosures.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+8
The bill imposes significant new limits and stricter standards on how intelligence agencies and law enforcement can acquire and query personal data from third-party brokers and service providers.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
The bill mandates more frequent public reports, enhanced statistical reporting by the Director of National Intelligence, and requires notifications to congressional leadership regarding sensitive surveillance queries.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Privacy Protections for FBI Queries: The bill requires the FBI to undergo mandatory training and obtain prior approval from an attorney for sensitive queries involving elected officials, judges, or religious organizations (Section 101).
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Increased Accountability for FBI Employees: It establishes procedures to hold FBI employees accountable for violations through escalating consequences, such as suspension of access to information or reassignment (Section 103).
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Mandatory Accuracy in Surveillance Applications: Federal officers must now provide all material information to the court that could call into question the accuracy or reasonableness of their assessments (Section 201).
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Protection Against Data Broker Purchases: The bill limits the ability of intelligence community elements to acquire certain covered data, providing more control over personal information (Section s 501 and 502).
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Increased Transparency through Public Reports: The bill mandates that certain annual reports be made available to the public, subject to declassification review (Section 102).
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Enhanced Judicial Oversight: The bill expands the appointment authority for amicus curiae to include individuals with specific expertise in privacy and civil liberties (Section 301).
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Implementation Flexibility: Under Section 701(b), the Attorney General can delay implementation for up to 180 days to develop technical systems or hire and train necessary personnel. This could ensure that new rules are functional and properly staffed before they are enforced.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Delay in Sensitive Investigations: The requirement for prior attorney approval for specific types of sensitive queries could impact the speed of certain investigations (Section 101).
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Restrictions on Data Acquisition: Intelligence community elements may face limitations on their ability to acquire certain datasets, which could affect their investigative capabilities (Section 501).
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Limitations on Law Enforcement Data Access: The restrictions on purchasing personal data from data brokers could impact how law enforcement agencies access certain information (Section s 502).
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Delayed Oversight or Reform: According to Section 701(b), the Attorney General has the authority to delay the implementation of a provision or amendment for up to 180 days. This delay could postpone the application of new reforms or authorities intended by the Act.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+8Improves Government Transparency+7
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+8
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+1
- 4/22/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/21/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/20/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/15/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 4/14/2026
- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 371.
- 4/13/2026
- Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon