S. 2831: Free Flow of Information Act of 2006
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S. 2831: Free Flow of Information Act of 2006
109th Congress · introduced 2006-05-18 · Law · Latest: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-837.
federal
Follow this bill, step by step
- Where it came from: introduced 2006-05-18 · official record
- Who proposed it: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN] · what a sponsor is
- What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
- Where it stands now: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-837. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
- If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.
Official title
Free Flow of Information Act of 2006
Plain summary
Free Flow of Information Act of 2006 - Prohibits federal courts in criminal or civil proceedings from compelling journalists to disclose their confidential sources or information which they obtain in a professional newsgathering capacity. Allows exceptions if a court finds that: (1) alternative means of obtaining such confidential information have been exhausted and reasonable and timely notice of a demand for such information has been given; (2) subpoenas for such information are limited in scope; (3) such information is critical to pending criminal or civil litigation; and (4) nondisclosure of such information would be contrary to the public interest. Denies journalists a privilege against disclosure of confidential information if such information: (1) was obtained by eyewitness observations of criminal conduct by a journalist or involvement of such journalist in criminal or tortious conduct; (2) is necessary to prevent death or substantial bodily harm; (3) is necessary to protect national security; and (4) was provided or obtained without a promise of confidentiality.
Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.
What a vote does
A “Yea” vote
If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.
A “Nay” vote
If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.
PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).
What does this mean? (plain words)
Official text
Free Flow of Information Act of 2006
Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes
Officials and money
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN] · 9 cosponsors
Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.
Cosponsors on this site
Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.
Words on this page, explained (1)
- Securities
- Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.
Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.
Sources
- Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
- Congress.gov
- Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-109s2831.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/109/s>
Record fed-us-cong109-s2831 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109