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Judicial FOIA Expansion Act

USA119th CongressS-5033| Senate 
| Updated: 7/20/2026
Adam B. Schiff

Adam B. Schiff

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (3)
Andy Kim (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to significantly increase public transparency within the federal judiciary by extending the reach of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act to courts of the United States. It broadly defines "court of the United States" to encompass a wide range of judicial entities, including the Supreme Court, circuit and district courts, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and Federal defender organizations, while specifically excluding the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. The bill mandates public access to various types of judicial records, such as attorney disciplinary proceedings , complaints and investigations against judges, Federal Judicial Conference meeting details, and judicial performance reports. However, it includes exemptions for matters related to ongoing cases and information not possessed by the courts. Furthermore, it requires that all released information be machine-readable and authorizes $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to implement these new requirements, including establishing a dedicated office within the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
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Timeline
Jul 20, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9778
Introduced in House
Jul 20, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 20, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • July 20, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9778
    Introduced in House


  • July 20, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 20, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Law

Related Bills

  • HR 119-9778: Judicial FOIA Expansion Act

Judicial FOIA Expansion Act

USA119th CongressS-5033| Senate 
| Updated: 7/20/2026
This legislation aims to significantly increase public transparency within the federal judiciary by extending the reach of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act to courts of the United States. It broadly defines "court of the United States" to encompass a wide range of judicial entities, including the Supreme Court, circuit and district courts, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and Federal defender organizations, while specifically excluding the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. The bill mandates public access to various types of judicial records, such as attorney disciplinary proceedings , complaints and investigations against judges, Federal Judicial Conference meeting details, and judicial performance reports. However, it includes exemptions for matters related to ongoing cases and information not possessed by the courts. Furthermore, it requires that all released information be machine-readable and authorizes $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to implement these new requirements, including establishing a dedicated office within the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jul 20, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9778
Introduced in House
Jul 20, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 20, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • July 20, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9778
    Introduced in House


  • July 20, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 20, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Adam B. Schiff

Adam B. Schiff

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (3)
Andy Kim (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Law

Related Bills

  • HR 119-9778: Judicial FOIA Expansion Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted