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Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-4811| House 
| Updated: 7/29/2025
Ted Lieu

Ted Lieu

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (1)
Tom McClintock (Republican)

Judiciary Committee, Armed Services Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025, aims to significantly regulate the use of cell-site simulators by amending title 18 of the United States Code. It establishes a general prohibition against the knowing use of these devices by any individual or entity in the United States, and by the intelligence community against U.S. persons abroad. A cell-site simulator is defined as any device that mimics a base station to identify, locate, or intercept transmissions from cellular devices for purposes other than ordinary commercial mobile services. The primary exception to this prohibition is the use of a cell-site simulator by a law enforcement agency under a court-issued warrant . To obtain such a warrant, agencies must demonstrate that other investigative procedures have failed or are unlikely to succeed, specify the narrowest possible area and time of effect, and certify compliance with FCC regulations. Courts must weigh the government's need against potential negative side effects and public safety risks, with warrants limited to 30 days and subject to extensions. An exception for emergency use is also provided, requiring an immediate danger of death, serious injury, organized crime, or national security threat, and necessitating a warrant application within 48 hours. All warrant applications must disclose potential disruptions to emergency calls (like 9-1-1), certify third-party inspection of the device, and detail methods to minimize disruption. Furthermore, notice of cell-site simulator use must generally be provided to affected individuals within 90 days, detailing whether their device information, location, or communications were obtained. The bill stipulates that information or evidence acquired in violation of the prohibition is generally inadmissible in court proceedings. It also mandates that the Attorney General adopt and publish specific minimization procedures to limit the acquisition, retention, and dissemination of information pertaining to non-target individuals. Any information introduced into evidence must be disclosed to the defendant. The scope of collection is limited to identifying nearby electronic devices and their transmission strength and direction, with additional requirements for wiretapping or tracking. The legislation also creates a civil action for individuals subjected to unlawful cell-site simulator operations and provides for administrative discipline against officers who willfully violate the act. Annual reports from various Inspectors General are required to detail compliance, usage statistics, and the number of targeted and non-targeted devices. The bill also amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to incorporate similar requirements for cell-site simulator use in foreign intelligence surveillance. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is directed to initiate proceedings to promulgate or modify regulations to implement the Act. Most provisions will take effect two years after enactment, with a potential three-year extension for existing cell-site simulator models if certified by the Attorney General.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4022
Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6194
Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2023
Jul 29, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2522
Introduced in Senate
Jul 29, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 29, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4022
    Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6194
    Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2023


  • July 29, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2522
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 29, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 29, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, 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.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • S 119-2522: Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025

Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-4811| House 
| Updated: 7/29/2025
This legislation, known as the Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025, aims to significantly regulate the use of cell-site simulators by amending title 18 of the United States Code. It establishes a general prohibition against the knowing use of these devices by any individual or entity in the United States, and by the intelligence community against U.S. persons abroad. A cell-site simulator is defined as any device that mimics a base station to identify, locate, or intercept transmissions from cellular devices for purposes other than ordinary commercial mobile services. The primary exception to this prohibition is the use of a cell-site simulator by a law enforcement agency under a court-issued warrant . To obtain such a warrant, agencies must demonstrate that other investigative procedures have failed or are unlikely to succeed, specify the narrowest possible area and time of effect, and certify compliance with FCC regulations. Courts must weigh the government's need against potential negative side effects and public safety risks, with warrants limited to 30 days and subject to extensions. An exception for emergency use is also provided, requiring an immediate danger of death, serious injury, organized crime, or national security threat, and necessitating a warrant application within 48 hours. All warrant applications must disclose potential disruptions to emergency calls (like 9-1-1), certify third-party inspection of the device, and detail methods to minimize disruption. Furthermore, notice of cell-site simulator use must generally be provided to affected individuals within 90 days, detailing whether their device information, location, or communications were obtained. The bill stipulates that information or evidence acquired in violation of the prohibition is generally inadmissible in court proceedings. It also mandates that the Attorney General adopt and publish specific minimization procedures to limit the acquisition, retention, and dissemination of information pertaining to non-target individuals. Any information introduced into evidence must be disclosed to the defendant. The scope of collection is limited to identifying nearby electronic devices and their transmission strength and direction, with additional requirements for wiretapping or tracking. The legislation also creates a civil action for individuals subjected to unlawful cell-site simulator operations and provides for administrative discipline against officers who willfully violate the act. Annual reports from various Inspectors General are required to detail compliance, usage statistics, and the number of targeted and non-targeted devices. The bill also amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to incorporate similar requirements for cell-site simulator use in foreign intelligence surveillance. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is directed to initiate proceedings to promulgate or modify regulations to implement the Act. Most provisions will take effect two years after enactment, with a potential three-year extension for existing cell-site simulator models if certified by the Attorney General.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4022
Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6194
Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2023
Jul 29, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2522
Introduced in Senate
Jul 29, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 29, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4022
    Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6194
    Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2023


  • July 29, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2522
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 29, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 29, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, 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.
Ted Lieu

Ted Lieu

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (1)
Tom McClintock (Republican)

Judiciary Committee, Armed Services Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • S 119-2522: Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted