H.R. 4811 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Jul 29, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires warrants for cell phone tracking devices
This bill creates federal rules for cell-site simulators—devices that fake being a cell tower to locate or intercept cell phone signals. Generally, the bill prohibits their use without a warrant, with exceptions for law enforcement agencies that get a court order and intelligence agencies working under existing surveillance laws. If someone uses one illegally, they face civil fines, and any information gathered illegally cannot be used as evidence in court.
How it affects you
If you live in the U.S., this affects you by setting limits on how law enforcement and intelligence agencies can track your location through your phone. People whose phones were tracked illegally can now sue in court for damages. The main impact is adding a legal requirement—police generally need a warrant before using these devices to find or monitor your phone.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jul 29, 2025)
Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025
This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to regulate the use of cell-site simulators. Cell-site simulators (commonly known as Stingrays) are devices that function as or simulate a cell-phone tower to identify, locate, or intercept transmissions from a cell phone for purposes other than providing ordinary commercial mobile services or private mobile services.
The framework generally prohibits the knowing use of a cell-site simulator domestically by an individual or entity or the use of a cell-site simulator by an element of the intelligence community outside the United States to conduct surveillance of a U.S. person. It imposes a civil fine on an individual or entity that violates the prohibition and restricts the use of unlawfully acquired information as evidence in a legal proceeding or official proceeding.
The framework contains exceptions to permit the use of a cell-site simulator in certain circumstances, such as by a law enforcement agency pursuant to a warrant or by an element of the intelligence community to conduct surveillance under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.
Finally, an individual who is the subject of unlawful use of a cell-site simulator may bring a private right of action.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 4811
A BILL
Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA-36) · Introduced Jul 29, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 29, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”