Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act

Summary

Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act This bill allows tribal courts to execute warrants for electronic material. The Stored Communications Act (SCA) generally prohibits providers of electronic communication services (e.g., cell phone providers, email providers, or social media platforms) and remote computing services (e.g., cloud computing providers) from knowingly disclosing stored electronic communications or records (e.g., emails) or information pertaining to customers or subscribers. However, the SCA authorizes governmental entities to compel service providers to disclose electronic communication information through a court-issued warrant, a court order, or an administrative subpoena. This bill gives tribal courts the same authority as other governmental entities (e.g., state courts) to compel service providers to disclose stored electronic communication information through court-issued warrants, court orders, or administrative subpoenas.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

House Committee on the Judiciary · U.S. House of Representatives

Also referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary · U.S. Senate.

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Cosponsors

Related bills

• H.R. 3773PROTECT Act of 2025Related bill
• S. 1967PROTECT Act of 2025Related bill

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Oct 5, 2026

   Held at the desk.

2. Oct 5, 2026

   Message on Senate Action Sent to the House.

   Message on Senate action sent to the House.

   U.S. Senate

3. Oct 5, 2026

   Sent to the executive

   Received in the House.

   U.S. House of Representatives

4. Sep 29, 2026

   Measure Laid Before Senate by Unanimous consent. (consideration: cr S5184)

   Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5184)

   U.S. Senate

5. Sep 29, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5184)

   U.S. Senate

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.