Summary of House Bill HR 3693 (Introduced June 3, 2025)

Overview and purpose

HR 3693 would prohibit the federal government from establishing or maintaining a database that contains data collected through, or facilitates, biometric identity verification of a United States citizen. The bill aims to restrict the Federal Government’s ability to store or enable biometric verification data for U.S. citizens.

Key provisions

• Section 1(a): An agency of the Federal Government may not establish or maintain a database that contains data collected through, or facilitates, the biometric identity verification of a citizen of the United States.
• Section 1(b): Defines “biometric identity verification” as the automated recognition of an individual based on biological or behavioral characteristics, from which distinguishing, repeatable biometric features are extracted. Examples include fingerprints, iris patterns, or facial features.

Definitions

• Biometric identity verification: Automated recognition of a person using biological or behavioral characteristics, yielding repeatable biometric features.
• Covered data: Data collected through biometric identity verification or used to facilitate such verification.

Scope and applicability

• Applies to: The Federal Government (agencies of the United States).
• Prohibition targets: The establishment or maintenance of any database containing biometric verification data or that facilitates biometric verification of U.S. citizens.
• No explicit exemptions are specified in the provided text.

Legislative history and status

• Introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 3, 2025.
• Primary sponsor: Rep. Andrew Ogles.
• Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on the same day (June 3, 2025).

Potential impact

• If enacted, federal agencies would be barred from creating or maintaining biometric databases or systems that store or enable biometric verification data for U.S. citizens.
• Might affect any federal programs or proposals involving centralized biometric data collection, biometric databases, or cross-agency biometric verification capabilities.
• Could have privacy and civil liberties implications by limiting government data collection and centralized biometric storage, while potentially complicating future use of biometric technologies in federal programs.

Next steps

• Committee action: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will review, amend, and potentially report the bill.
• Floor action: If reported, the bill could be brought to the House floor for debate and a vote.
• Any movement would depend on broader legislative priorities and committee consideration.

If you’d like, I can add a comparison to existing federal biometric programs or provide a one-page brief for policymakers.