House

	H.R. 850, The Security and Freedom through Encryption (SAFE) Act Sponsor: Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-VA Co-Sponsors: 256 (143 R, 113 D) Introduced: Feb. 25, 1999 Description: The bill would allow for the export of generally available encryption software and hardware after a one-time 15-day review. It would allow government officials to block exports to terrorist nations or specific entities or individuals if there is "substantial evidence" it will be used for military or terrorist activities. It reaffirms the right of anyone in the United States to use any type of encryption product and prohibits the federal government and states from requiring that encryption products be built with a third-party access feature. It also would also make it a crime to use encryption in the furtherance of another crime by using it to hide information related to that illegal activity.
	H.R. 2623 Sponsor: Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-CA Introduced: July 28, 1999 Description: The legislation would shorten the period that Congress has review some of the changes made to controls on the export of high-performance computers to some countries. The countries covered by the review period are classified as "Tier 3" countries, about 50 nations that may pose a proliferation risk such as China, Russia or India. Congressin 1997 imposed the review period over some changes to export controls on high-performance computers destined to these countries.

Senate

	S. 798, The Promote Reliable On-Line Transactions to Encourage Commerce and Trade Act (PROTECT) Sponsor: Sen. John McCain, R-AZ Co-Sponsors: 5 (3 D, 2 R) Introduced: April 14, 1999 Description: The bill would increase the strength level of encryption products that can be exported from 56 bits to 64 bits. It also would require the creation of an advisory board that would consider requests to export stronger products to entities in countries that belong to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The president would retain the ability to block those exports that he believed would threaten national security. It also would require the National Institute for Science and Technology to establish a new advanced encryption standard by Jan. 1, 2002.
	S. 1483, Congressional review time for computer export changes Sponsor: Sen. Harry Reid, D-NV Co-Sponsors: 7 (7 D) Introduced: Aug. 8, 1999 Description: The bill would amend the fiscal 1998 defense authorization bill to reduce the time Congress has to review some changes to computer export controls from 180 days to 30 days.
	S. 1712, Export Administration Act reauthorization Sponsor: Sen. Phil Gramm, R-TX Introduced: October 8, 1999 Description: The draft legislation would reauthorize the Export Administration Act, which expired in 1994. It provides the legal framework for export controls on products that pose a potential national security threat or foreign policy interest. The legislation aims to overhaul the current system by creating a process for determining if a controlled item is a mass market product or is widely available in foreign markets. If so, the product would be decontrolled under the bill. It also sets new rules for resolving inter-agency disputes over an export license. In addition, it would significantly increase penalties for violations of export control laws and shorten the time Congress has to review some changes to computer export controls from 180 days to 60 days.