To require the President to establish a task force on streamlining the classified national security information system and narrowing of the criteria for classification of information, to make improvements with respect to such classification system, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · July 9, 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
This bill aims to reform how the federal government classifies and declassifies sensitive national security information. The legislation requires the President to establish a task force within 90 days to streamline the classification system and develop plans to phase out the use of the lowest classification level, known as "Confidential." The bill also establishes new restrictions on classification, prohibiting agencies from classifying information to conceal wrongdoing, avoid embarrassment, or hide inefficiency, and it prevents previously released classified information from being reclassified except in rare national security cases approved by the National Security Advisor. A major provision automatically expires the classified status of information older than 50 years, effective three years after enactment, though agencies can request exemptions for information involving living intelligence sources, weapons of mass destruction designs, or critical ongoing operations. The bill also requires agencies to hold employees accountable for excessive or improper classification, establishes processes for Congress to request declassification within 90 days, and requires budget proposals to dedicate at least 10 percent of classification-related funding to declassification efforts. The task force must complete its work and report to Congress within one year of establishment.
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