PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 26, 1996
Economic Espionage Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit wrongfully copying or otherwise controlling economic proprietary information: (1) with intent to, or with reason to believe that the offense will, benefit any foreign government, instrumentality, or agent or disadvantage any owner of proprietary economic information that is related to or included in a product produced for or placed in interstate or foreign commerce; or (2) with intent to divert that information to the use or benefit of anyone other than the owner. Sets penalties for violation of such provision, including forfeiture of property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained as the result of such violation. Directs the court, in any prosecution or other proceeding pursuant to this Act, to take such action as necessary and appropriate to preserve the confidentiality of proprietary economic information. Includes economic espionage among the offenses with respect to which the Attorney General may authorize an application for, and a Federal judge may grant, an order authorizing interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications.
People & committees
Rep. McCollum, Bill [R-FL-8] · R–FL
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 104-294.
Became Public Law No: 104-294.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12201-12216)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12201-12216)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate amendment.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H12137-12145)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H12137-12145)
Mr. McCollum asked unanimous consent that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5384 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5387 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5387 proposed by Senator Stevens for Senator Hatch to Amendment SP 5384.
Amendment SP 5386 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5386 proposed by Senator Stevens for Senator Hatch to Amendment SP 5384.
Amendment SP 5385 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 5385 proposed by Senator Stevens for Senator Grassley to Amendment SP 5384.
Amendment SP 5384 proposed by Senator Stevens for Senator Specter.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10882-10885)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 3 (Roll no. 416).
House roll call 416 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 3 (Roll no. 416).
House roll call 416 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business.
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Buyer objected to the Yea - Nay vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10460-10462, H10494-10495)
Mr. Buyer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 426.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 104-788.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 104-788.
Mr. Livingston asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Judiciary have until 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 16 to file a report on H.R. 3723. Agreed to without objection.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.3723 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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