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Amends 13 U.S.C. 214 by striking "$5,000" and inserting " 5,000".
Amends paragraphs (1) through (5) of 26 U.S.C. §7213 by replacing the existing numeric amount wherever it appears with "5,000".
Amends 42 U.S.C. 1306(a)(1) by replacing the existing fine-amount text with the inserted '5,000'.
Amends subsection (c)(2) to make it 'subject to subsection (k)' and to replace/adjust the subparagraph text and formatting.
Replaces each occurrence of "$5,000" in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of 5 U.S.C. 552a(i) with "$30,000".
Amends multiple federal statutes to change monetary penalties for improper access to or disclosure of government information. It raises three Privacy Act amounts from $5,000 to $30,000, adds a new higher fine provision to the federal computer-crime statute (including a $750,000 reference for certain agency-information offenses), and updates penalty amounts or text in Social Security, Internal Revenue Code provisions on unauthorized disclosure, and the Census Act. The bill only shows textual dollar‑amount substitutions and does not specify effective dates or additional procedural changes.
In paragraph (1) of 5 U.S.C. 552a(i), strike "$5,000" and insert "$30,000".
In paragraph (2) of 5 U.S.C. 552a(i), strike "$5,000" and insert "$30,000".
In paragraph (3) of 5 U.S.C. 552a(i), strike "$5,000" and insert "$30,000".
Amend subsection (c)(2) of 18 U.S.C. 1030 by replacing its text so it begins with: “subject to subsection (k)— (A) except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C); and”. Also adjust formatting by moving the margins of subparagraphs (B) and (C) two ems to the right. This change appears in the legislative amendment text.
Add new subsection (k) titled “Higher maximum fine for individuals who obtain information from United States departments or agencies.” It specifies that for an offense under subsection (a)(2)(B) committed by an individual, subsection (c)(2) shall be applied by substituting, wherever it appears, the phrasing shown in the amendment: "a fine of not more than $750,000" and "a fine under this title" (as quoted in the amendment text).
Who is affected and how:
Federal agencies: Agencies that hold and disclose personal or taxpayer data will see the statutes that protect that data carry different monetary penalties. Agencies may use the increased penalties as stronger deterrents and to support enforcement referrals.
Federal employees and contractors with access to sensitive records: Where Privacy Act amounts are raised, employees or contractors who improperly disclose personal records could face larger civil liability or penalties, and agencies may update training/compliance materials.
People who unlawfully obtain federal information via computers (insiders or external hackers): The new CFAA subsection raises potential fines (including reference to $750,000) for individuals who use a computer to obtain agency information, increasing criminal/civil exposure for those actors.
People whose records are protected (general public/taxpayers): Potentially greater statutory penalties may strengthen deterrence against improper disclosures of personal, tax, Social Security, or census information, potentially improving privacy protections in practice if enforced.
IRS, SSA, Census Bureau and DOJ enforcement systems: These agencies will apply the revised penalty amounts when pursuing unauthorized-disclosure cases; the changes may raise the stakes in investigations and prosecutions.
Uncertainties and practical considerations:
Several edits insert the numeric string "5,000" or remove a dollar sign without clarifying intent; those textual edits could be formatting corrections, restorations of prior amounts, or substantive changes. That creates short-term legal uncertainty until authoritative legislative text or committee reports clarify intent.
No effective dates are specified; absent an explicit effective date, courts and agencies may need guidance about whether the new amounts apply to conduct occurring before enactment or only afterward.
Because the bill only substitutes dollar amounts, administrative and compliance costs are limited to updating policies, training, and enforcement thresholds rather than building new programs.
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced May 20, 2025 by Mark R. Warner · Last progress May 20, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced in Senate