PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Intelligence. H. Rept. 115-475, Part I.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 29, 2017
FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017
This bill amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) to target a U.S. person outside of the United States to acquire foreign intelligence when DOJ has already authorized emergency use of electronic surveillance or a physical search related to such person.
DOJ and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence must submit a written notice to Congress before intentionally collecting abouts communications (communications that contain a reference to but are not directed to or from a facility) relating to surveillance of a non-U.S. person outside the United States.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
DOJ shall submit to Congress and the Administrative Office of the United States an annual report with: (1) the total number of applications made and extensions of orders approving electronic surveillance; (2) the total number of such orders and extensions granted, modified, or denied; and (3) the total number of persons who were subject to electronic surveillance conducted under an order or emergency authorization.
Each element of the intelligence community must develop and maintain procedures to respond to requests for nonpublic information about U.S. persons.
This bill extends title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through December 31, 2021.
The Government Accountability Office must study the U.S. classified information system and the methods by which the intelligence community protects classified information.
People & committees
Rep. Nunes, Devin [R-CA-22] · R–CA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Intelligence. H. Rept. 115-475, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Intelligence. H. Rept. 115-475, Part I.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Government Reform, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Government Reform, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Government Reform, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Government Reform, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.4478 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.
Examine H.R.4478 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.4478 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.4478 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.