Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2522
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-29: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T14:28:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation, titled the Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025, establishes a federal framework to regulate cell-site simulators—devices that mimic cell towers to identify, locate, or intercept signals from cellular devices. Its primary goal is to prohibit unauthorized use while permitting limited, court-supervised deployment by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, with requirements to protect privacy and public safety.
Key Provisions
- General Prohibition: It is unlawful for any person or entity to knowingly use a cell-site simulator in the United States, or for U.S. intelligence agencies to use one abroad targeting U.S. persons. Violations carry fines up to $250,000, and evidence obtained unlawfully is generally inadmissible in court.
- Warrant Requirement for Law Enforcement: Use is permitted only under a judicial warrant. Applicants must show that less intrusive methods have failed or are impractical, specify the narrowest possible area and duration (capped at 30 days initially, with extensions allowed), certify compliance with FCC rules, and disclose potential disruptions to emergency calls, suicide prevention lines, poison control, and other services. Courts must weigh public safety risks before approving.
- Emergency Exceptions: Agencies may use simulators without a warrant in cases of imminent danger, organized crime, or national security threats, but must apply for a warrant within 48 hours (except for locating missing persons or disaster victims) and immediately stop use if denied.
- Other Exceptions: Includes uses by the intelligence community under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), good-faith research or teaching, Secret Service protective duties, contraband detection in prisons (with transmission limits and annual testing), and limited testing or training by law enforcement.
- Notice and Minimization: Affected individuals must receive notice within 90 days (or later for good cause). Agencies must adopt procedures to minimize collection and retention of data on non-targets and destroy such data promptly.
- Additional Requirements: Defendants are entitled to disclosure of simulator-derived evidence. Interceptions must also comply with wiretap and tracking device laws. Annual Inspector General reports track usage, and the FCC must update related regulations.
- FISA Amendments: Similar warrant-like standards and disclosures apply to intelligence uses.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new Section 3119 to Title 18 of the U.S. Code, creating the first comprehensive statutory regulation of cell-site simulators.
- Modifies pen register and trap-and-trace definitions to explicitly exclude these devices.
- Extends oversight to intelligence activities abroad involving U.S. persons and requires FISA court orders to meet new minimization and disclosure standards.
- Introduces civil remedies for unlawful use and administrative discipline for federal employees.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as intelligence elements, must obtain warrants, implement minimization procedures, and comply with reporting and testing requirements. This may reduce ad hoc use but provides clearer legal authority. Correctional facilities gain limited authority for contraband systems. The FCC gains rulemaking duties.
- Citizens: Strengthens privacy protections for location and communication data, with notice rights and avenues for civil suits. Potential for fewer disruptions to emergency services through required disclosures.
- International Relations: Restricts U.S. intelligence use of simulators abroad against U.S. persons, aligning with FISA processes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies
- Intelligence community elements
- U.S. courts and the Department of Justice
- Federal Communications Commission and correctional facilities
- U.S. persons whose devices may be affected, including those abroad
- Department of Defense and Secret Service (for limited exceptions)
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Reinforces Fourth Amendment protections by mandating warrants for technology that captures location and signal data, addressing prior uncertainties in its legal treatment.
- Creates new statutory privacy safeguards and minimization rules that go beyond existing electronic surveillance laws.
- Bipartisan introduction reflects a balance between law enforcement needs and civil liberties concerns, with built-in oversight through judicial review, notice, and congressional reporting.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-29: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-07-29: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-29 — PDF (37 pages)