2 USC 6628 - Treatment of electronic services provided by Sergeant at Arms

View all text of Part B [§ 6611 - § 6636]

§ 6628. Treatment of electronic services provided by Sergeant at Arms

(a) In general

In this section—

(1) the term “agent of the Office of the SAA” includes a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service commissioned or used through the Office of the SAA by a Senate office to provide such services to the Senate office;

(2) the term “electronic communication service” has the meaning given that term in section 2510 of title 18;

(3) the term “Office of the SAA” means the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate;

(4) the term “provider for a Senate office” means a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service directly commissioned or used by a Senate office to provide such services;

(5) the term “remote computing service” has the meaning given that term in section 2711 of title 18;

(6) the term “Senate data”, with respect to a Senate office, means any electronic mail or other electronic or data communication, other data (including metadata), or other information of the Senate office; and

(7) the term “Senate office” means a committee or office of the Senate, including a Senator, an officer of the Senate, or an employee of, intern at, or other agent of a committee or office of the Senate.

(b) Treatment

(1) Retaining possession

(A) In general

A Senate office shall be deemed to retain possession of any Senate data of the Senate office, without regard to the use by the Senate office of any individual or entity described in paragraph (2) for the purposes of any function or service described in paragraph (2).

(B) Rule of construction

Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to limit the use by an intended recipient of any Senate data from a Senate office.

(2) Sergeant at Arms and providers for a Senate office

The Office of the SAA, any officer, employee, or agent of the Office of the SAA, and any provider for a Senate office shall not be treated as acquiring possession, custody, or control of any Senate data by reason of its being transmitted, processed, or stored (whether temporarily or otherwise) through the use of an electronic system established, maintained, or operated, or the use of electronic services provided, in whole or in part by the Office of the SAA, the officer, employee, or agent of the Office of the SAA, or the provider for the Senate office.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule of civil or criminal procedure, the Office of the SAA, any officer, employee, or agent of the Office of the SAA, and any provider for a Senate office that is providing services to or used by a Senate office shall not be barred, through operation of any court order or any statutory provision, from notifying the Senate office of any legal process seeking disclosure of Senate data of the Senate office that is transmitted, processed, or stored (whether temporarily or otherwise) through the use of an electronic system established, maintained, or operated, or the use of electronic services provided, in whole or in part by the Office of the SAA, the officer, employee, or agent of the Office of the SAA, or the provider for a Senate office.

(d) Motions to quash or modify

Upon a motion made promptly by a Senate office or provider for a Senate office, a court of competent jurisdiction shall quash or modify any legal process directed to the provider for a Senate office if compliance with the legal process would require the disclosure of Senate data of the Senate office.

(e) Information regarding implications of using providers

The Office of the SAA, in consultation with the Senate Legal Counsel, shall provide information to each Senate office that commissions or uses a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service to provide such services to the Senate office regarding the potential constitutional implications and the potential impact on privileges that may be asserted by the Senate office.

(f) Applicable privileges

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or supersede any applicable privilege, immunity, or other objection that may apply to the disclosure of Senate data.

(g) Preemption

Except as provided in this section, any provision of law or rule of civil or criminal procedure of any State, political subdivision, or agency thereof, which is inconsistent with this section shall be deemed to be preempted and superseded.

(h) Effective date

This section shall apply to fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year thereafter.

(Pub. L. 108–447, div. G, title I, § 10, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3170; Pub. L. 109–289, div. B, title II, § 20701(c)(1), as added Pub. L. 110–5, § 2, Feb. 15, 2007, 121 Stat. 38; Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title IV, § 401(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3134.)