,,ii #aadth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bgh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,january #bh1 #bjae,mr4 ,blunt 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,cornyn1 ,mrs4 ,fischer and ,mr4 ,roberts7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 to establish certain procedures for conducting in-person or telephonic interactions by executive branch employees with individuals1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,citizen ,empowerment ,act4 #b4 ,amendments 7a7 ,in general ,part ,,iii of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after chapter #gi the following3 #gi;,a ,services to members of the public ,sec4#giba4 ,procedures for in-person and telephonic interactions conducted by executive branch employees4 #giba4 ,procedures for in-person and telephonic interactions conducted by executive branch employees 7a7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this section-- 7#a7 the term covered interaction means an in-person or telephonic interview1 audit1 investigation1 inspection1 or other official interaction between an employee of an ,executive agency and another individual relating to a possible or alleged violation of any ,federal statute or regulation that could result in the imposition of a fine1 forfeiture of property1 civil monetary penalty1 or criminal penalty against1 or the collection of an unpaid tax1 fine1 or penalty from1 the individual or a business owned or operated by the individual2 7#b7 the term ,state means each of the several ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 and any commonwealth1 territory1 or possession of the ,united ,states2 and 7#c7 the term telephonic means by telephone or other similar electronic device4 7b7 ,recording of enforcement actions 7#a7 ,recording by individuals ,any employee of an ,executive agency who is conducting a covered interaction with an individual shall allow the individual to make an audio recording of the covered interaction at the individual's own expense and with the individual's own equipment4 7#b7 ,recording by ,federal employees ,any employee of an ,executive agency that is conducting a covered interaction may record that interaction if the employee-- 7,a7 informs the individual of the recording prior to or at the initiation of the interaction2 and 7,b7 upon request of the individual1 provides the individual with a transcript or copy of the recording1 but only if the individual provides reimbursement for the cost of the transcription and reproduction of the transcript or copy4 7c7 ,explanations of rights 7#a7 ,in general ,any employee of an ,executive agency shall1 before or at an initial covered interaction1 provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of the individual's rights under this section4 7#b7 ,separate notifications for separate violations ,paragraph 7#a7 shall not1 for purposes of any covered interaction1 be considered satisfied based on a notification previously given if that previous notification was given in the case of a possible or alleged violation separate from the possible or alleged violation at hand4 7d7 ,application to official representative or those holding power of attorney ,any person who is permitted to represent1 before an ,executive agency described in subsection 7b77#a71 an individual permitted to make an audio recording under that subsection of a covered interaction conducted by an employee of that ,executive agency-- 7#a7 shall be permitted-- 7,a7 to make an audio recording under subsection 7b77#a7 as if the person were the individual2 and 7,b7 to receive a transcript or copy of an audio recording under subsection 7b77#b7 as if the person were the individual2 7#b7 shall receive the same notice as that which is required to be provided to the individual under subsection 7c72 and 7#c7 with respect to an audio recording 7as referred to in paragraph 7#a77;,a77 and a transcript or copy of a recording 7as referred to in paragraph 7#a77;,b771 shall have the same rights as described in subsection 7e74 7e7 ,property of audio recording ,any audio recording or transcript of an audio recording made by an individual under subsection 7b77#a7 or provided to an individual under subsection 7b77#b77;,b7 shall be the property of the individual4 7f7 ,no cause of action ,this section does not create any express or implied private right of action4 7g7 ,exceptions 7#a7 ,classified information1 public safety1 criminal investigation ,this section shall not apply to any covered interaction that is likely to include the discussion of-- 7,a7 classified material2 7,b7 information that1 if released publicly1 would endanger public safety2 or 7,c7 information that1 if released publicly1 would endanger an ongoing criminal investigation conducted by a ,federal law enforcement officer 7as defined in section #b of the ,law ,enforcement ,congressional ,badge of ,bravery ,act of #bjjh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aebca77 who is employed by a ,federal law enforcement agency4 7#b7 ,determination by employees ,an employee of an ,executive agency who determines that an exception under paragraph 7#a7 applies to a covered interaction or series of covered interactions shall provide written notification of the determination to any person who would otherwise be permitted to make an audio recording of the interaction or interactions under subsection 7b77#a7 or 7d74 7h7 ,prior law ,for the purposes set forth in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7b71 this section supersedes section #beaa7b77;d7 of title #ah and any provision of ,federal or ,state law insofar as such section or provision relates to the recording of an interaction that is a covered interaction4 7i7 ,disciplinary action ,an employee of an ,executive agency who violates this section shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with otherwise applicable provisions of law4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the analysis for part ,,iii of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter #gi the following3 #gi;,a4,services to members of the public#giba 4