Question 1

What does S3918 do?

Accepted Answer

This bill fundamentally reforms federal criminal surveillance procedures by establishing transparency and accountability mechanisms for surveillance orders issued under title 18 of the United States Code. The legislation addresses three critical areas of surveillance practice: mandatory notification to surveillance targets, restrictions on non-disclosure orders imposed on service providers, and prohibition of indefinite sealing of surveillance orders. The bill seeks to balance legitimate law enforcement and national security interests with constitutional protections for privacy and due process by ensuring that individuals subjected to criminal surveillance eventually receive notice of such surveillance, that providers are not subjected to perpetual gag orders, and that surveillance orders cannot remain sealed indefinitely without judicial oversight. This represents a significant shift toward greater transparency in criminal surveillance practices while maintaining necessary protections for ongoing investigations and national security concerns.

Question 2

Who sponsored S3918?

Accepted Answer

Ron Wyden, Steve Daines, Mike Lee, Cory Booker

Question 3

What is the status of S3918?

Accepted Answer

Introduced as of February 25, 2026.

S.3918

S. 3918