H.R. 2856: Oversight of Law Enforcement Surveillance Act of 2021

117th Congress · introduced 2021-04-26 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2021-04-26 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. 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.

What does this mean?

Official title

Oversight of Law Enforcement Surveillance Act of 2021

Plain summary

Oversight of Law Enforcement Surveillance Act of 2021 This bill establishes reporting requirements related to the use of surveillance technology by law enforcement agencies in major metropolitan areas. The term major metropolitan area means an area with at least 250,000 residents. Specifically, the bill requires a law enforcement agency of a major metropolitan area receiving federal funds from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report annually to DHS, the Inspector General of DHS, and Congress on the use of surveillance technology. Additionally, the bill requires the Inspector General of DHS to report annually to Congress on the use of surveillance technology and the impact of its use on civil liberties and privacy.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), 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

Oversight of Law Enforcement Surveillance Act of 2021

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15] reported raising $7.2 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

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 (2)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
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 House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-117hr2856.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/117/hr>

Record fed-us-cong117-hr2856 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117