William F. Smith: “Mr. Speaker, the E-Government Act I introduced improves the information management of the Federal Government by…”

“Mr. Speaker, the E-Government Act I introduced improves the information management of the Federal Government by authorizing upgrades to enhance systems management, information technology, and security. It also includes provisions that ensure greater citizen access to Federal Government information. Section 205 of the Act instructs the Federal courts to establish and maintain a Web site with information such as courthouse locations, relevant telephone numbers, court rules, docket listings, written opinions, and case filings. In addition, it requires the Judicial Conference to prescribe rules to protect privacy and security concerns relating to electronic filing of documents and the public availability of documents filed electronically. After the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property marked up H.R. 1303, the Department of Justice raised concerns that under H.R. 1303, the Judicial Conference could adopt rules that might prevent the Department from using certain information necessary to prosecute cases, such as credit card numbers in a fraud prosecution.”