S. 187 would provide sufficient resources to permit electronic surveillance of United States persons for foreign intelligence purposes to be conducted pursuant to individualized court-issued orders for calls originating in the United States, it would provide additional resources to enhance oversight and streamline the procedures of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and it would ensure review of the Terrorist Surveillance Program by the United States Supreme Court.
Detailed Summary
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Oversight and Resource Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to: (1) authorize the appointment of additional judges to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (Court); and (2) require FISA judges to act on applications for emergency electronic surveillance within 24 hours. Authorizes the hiring of additional personnel in the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Security Agency (NSA), and the Court to process surveillance applications.
Requires the Directors of the FBI and NSA to develop regulations for conducting and seeking approval for emergency electronic surveillance, preparing and submitting applications for such surveillance, and training personnel.
Extends from 72 to 168 hours the period during which the Attorney General may authorize emergency electronic surveillance pending judicial authorization of such surveillance.
Permits electronic surveillance without a court order of communications between individuals outside the United States for the purpose of collecting foreign intelligence information even if such communications pass through, or the surveillance device is located within, the United States. Requires a court order for the contents of any wire or radio communication sent by a person inside the United States to a person outside the United States.
Authorizes enhanced congressional oversight of electronic surveillance activities under FISA.
Requires Supreme Court review of any final decision of a U.S. court of appeals concerning the legality of the Terrorist Surveillance Program.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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