---
kind: "section"
citation: "50 U.S.C. § 3109"
title: "50"
title_heading: "War and National Defense"
number: "3109"
heading: "Significant interpretations of law concerning intelligence activities"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/50/3109"
units:
  - "Chapter 44 — National Security"
  - "Subchapter III — Accountability for Intelligence Activities"
---

# §3109. Significant interpretations of law concerning intelligence activities

- (a) **Notification—** Except as provided in [subsection (c)](#c) and to the extent consistent with due regard for the protection from unauthorized disclosure of classified information relating to sensitive [intelligence](/usc/50/3003.md?p=1) sources and methods or other exceptionally sensitive matters, the General Counsel of each element of the [intelligence community](/usc/50/3003.md?p=4) shall notify the [congressional intelligence committees](/usc/50/3003.md?p=7), in writing, of any significant legal interpretation of the United States Constitution or Federal law affecting [intelligence](/usc/50/3003.md?p=1) activities conducted by such element by not later than 30 days after the date of the commencement of any [intelligence](/usc/50/3003.md?p=1) activity pursuant to such interpretation.
- (b) **Content—** Each notification under [subsection (a)](#a) shall provide a summary of the significant legal interpretation and the [intelligence](/usc/50/3003.md?p=1) activity or activities conducted pursuant to such interpretation.
- (c) **Exceptions—** A notification under [subsection (a)](#a) shall not be required for a significant legal interpretation if—
  - (1) notice of the significant legal interpretation was previously provided to the [congressional intelligence committees](/usc/50/3003.md?p=7) under [subsection (a)](#a); or
  - (2) the significant legal interpretation was made before July 7, 2014.
- (d) **Limited access for covert action—** If the President determines that it is essential to limit access to a covert action finding under [section 3093(c)(2) of this title](/usc/50/3093.md?p=c-2), the President may limit access to information concerning such finding that is subject to notification under this section to those members of Congress who have been granted access to the relevant finding under [section 3093(c)(2) of this title](/usc/50/3093.md?p=c-2).

## Source credit

(July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title V, § 510, as added Pub. L. 113–126, title III, § 321(a), July 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 1399.)