Federal Legislation
Patriot Act Provisions—When Congress returns in September, members from the House and Senate will reconcile two Patriot Act reauthorization bills. Some parts of the Act are set to sunset in December unless Congress reauthorizes them. Senate bill S. 1389 would place a renewable seven-day limit on the period of delayed notification of a section 213 warrant. Section 213 of the Patriot Act allows federal agents to conduct secret searches of businesses, and to delay notification indefinitely. It would also subject section 215 to a new four-year sunset period and require the FBI to produce evidence of a “nexus to a foreign agent” before collecting private records from businesses under section 215.

The House bill H.R. 3199 would impose a renewable 180-day period of delayed notification on a section 213 warrant, meaning that searches of private businesses could remain secret for more than six months. The bill also would give section 215 a new 10-year sunset, meaning that the next administration would not have the opportunity to review or amend the powers granted by the provision.

Section 505 authorizes the use of an administrative subpoena of personal records, without requiring probable cause or judicial oversight. It also imposes a gag order on the recipient. H.R. 3199 adds new criminal penalties for violating a gag order.

Missouri Legislation
DED Reorganizes—The Department of Economic Development is undergoing a reorganization that builds on the strengths of the department and incorporates a private-sector approach to doing business.

Under the reorganization, the Business Development and Trade and Community Development divisions will merge. To take advantage of the combined expertise of both divisions, teams will focus on result-driven activities built around sales, marketing, development finance, financial management and compliance. The reorganization will not require any layoffs and may actually require some additional staff. The merger will move more professionals out of Jefferson City and into the field to increase communication with businesses and communities, to focus staff on department goals and to raise the department’s expectations of results.