H.R.3087 - Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3087, the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act, aims to strengthen the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board and facilitate the release of records related to civil rights cold cases. The bill amends the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 to clarify the Review Board's authorities and extend its tenure. It emphasizes the presumption of immediate disclosure for relevant records and allows for reimbursement of expenses incurred by state and local governments for digitizing and transmitting these records.
Expected Effects
The reauthorization will likely lead to increased transparency and public access to information regarding civil rights cold cases. State and local governments will be incentivized to share records, and the extended tenure of the Review Board ensures continued oversight. The bill also limits the application of privacy exemptions to records created before January 1, 1990, further promoting disclosure.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency and public awareness of civil rights cold cases.
- Incentivizes state and local governments to share relevant records.
- Strengthens the powers and extends the tenure of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board.
- Facilitates the digitization and transmission of records to the National Archives.
- Limits privacy exemptions for older records, promoting greater disclosure.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs associated with reimbursing state and local governments for digitization and transmission of records.
- Possible privacy concerns related to the disclosure of information in older records, even with limitations.
- The extended tenure of the Review Board may be seen as an expansion of government bureaucracy.
- Risk of overwhelming the National Archives with a large influx of digitized records.
- Potential for the Review Board's decisions to be influenced by political considerations.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the spirit of the First Amendment by promoting transparency and access to information, allowing the public to be better informed. It also supports the pursuit of justice and accountability, which are fundamental principles of the Constitution. The emphasis on due process and fair treatment under the law, as implied in the investigation of civil rights cold cases, resonates with the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).