Rule2026-08148
Security Review Committee
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 27, 2026
Effective
May 27, 2026
Issuing agencies
State Department
Abstract
The Secretary of State is promulgating rules defining the membership and operating procedures of the Department of State's Security Review Committee, an internal panel that reviews serious security incidents.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 80 (Monday, April 27, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 80 (Monday, April 27, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22454-22456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08148]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 7
[Public Notice: 12976]
RIN 1400-AG28
Security Review Committee
AGENCY: Department of State.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary of State is promulgating rules defining the
membership and operating procedures of the Department of State's
Security Review Committee, an internal panel that reviews serious
security incidents.
DATES: This rule is effective on May 27, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alice Kottmyer, Attorney Adviser,
[[Page 22455]]
Office of Management, Office of the Legal Adviser,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f79c9883839a8e9285969ab78483968392d9909881"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="107b7f64647d697562717d5063647164753e777f66">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Why is the Department promulgating this rule?
In 2022, section 9302(d) of Public Law 117-263 established the
Security Review Committee (SRC), which required the Secretary of State
to also publish rules relating to the SRC's membership and operating
procedures. The SRC is an internal review process by a panel composed
of designated assistant secretary-level federal employees, who are
directed to assess a serious security incident involving loss of life,
serious injury, or significant destruction of property at or related to
a U.S. diplomatic mission abroad. The Committee determines whether the
Department of State's security policies, procedures, and programs
worked appropriately and as intended. Meetings of an SRC are not open
to the public.
Regulatory Analysis
Administrative Procedure Act
This rulemaking is a rule of agency organization, practice and
procedure, and hence is exempt from notice and comment rulemaking
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Department of State, in accordance with the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed this regulation and, by
approving it, certifies that this rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995
This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local, and
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100
million or more in any year and it will not significantly or uniquely
affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary
under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
Congressional Review Act
This rule is exempt from the Congressional Review Act, pursuant to
5 U.S.C. 804(3)(C).
Executive Order 12866, 14192, and 13563
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has designated
this rulemaking as not significant under Executive Order 12866, section
3(f), Regulatory Planning and Review. The Department has reviewed the
regulation to ensure its consistency with the regulatory philosophy and
principles set forth in Executive Order 12866. The Department of State
has considered this rule in light of Executive Order 13563 and affirms
that this regulation is consistent with the guidance therein. Since
this rule is not significant, it is not subject to the provisions of
Executive Order 14192.
Executive Orders 12372 and 13132
This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the
States, on the relationship between the national government and the
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6
of Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this rule does not have
sufficient federalism implications to require consultations or warrant
the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. The
regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding
intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do
not apply to this regulation.
Executive Order 12988
The Department of State has reviewed the rule considering sections
3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity,
minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce
burdens.
Executive Order 13175
The Department of State has determined that this rulemaking will
not have Tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct
compliance costs on Indian Tribal governments, and will not pre-empt
Tribal law. Accordingly, the requirements of Section 5 of Executive
Order 13175 do not apply to this rulemaking.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not impose any new reporting or record-keeping
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter
35.
List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 7
Organization and functions (Government agencies).
0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Department of State adds
part 7 to title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations to read as
follows:
PART 7--SECURITY REVIEW COMMITTEE
Sec.
7.1 Introduction.
7.2 Security Review Committee Membership.
7.3 Security Review Committee Operating Procedures.
Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C. 4801 et seq.; 22 U.S.C.
4833.
Sec. 7.1 Introduction.
The Secretary of State is required to convene a Security Review
Committee in case of a serious security incident involving loss of
life, serious injury, or significant destruction of property at, or
related to, a U.S. diplomatic mission abroad, and in any case of a
serious breach of security involving intelligence activities of a
foreign government directed at a U.S. mission abroad.
Sec. 7.2 Security Review Committee Membership.
(a) The Security Review Committee is comprised of officials filling
the positions below, to include an official authorized to perform the
duties of the position listed below in paragraphs (a)(1) through (6) by
operation of federal law or through delegation of authority from the
Secretary of State:
(1) the Executive Director of the Executive Office for Management;
(2) the Assistant Secretary of State responsible for the region
where the incident occurred;
(3) the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security;
(4) the Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research;
(5) an Assistant Secretary-level representative from any involved
United States Government department or agency; and
(6) other personnel determined by the Secretary of State to be
necessary or appropriate.
(b) The Executive Director of the Executive Office for Management
serves as chairperson of the SRC, unless otherwise designated by the
Secretary of State in a particular case.
Sec. 7.3 Security Review Committee Operating Procedures.
(a) All U.S. diplomatic posts must follow standard incident
reporting requirements established by Diplomatic Security, including an
official cable notification of an initial report of a potential serious
security incident not later than three days after such incident occurs,
whenever feasible.
(b) The Under Secretary for Management directs Diplomatic Security
to assemble a Security Investigative Team within 10 days of receiving a
report of a potential serious security incident.
(c) When directed by the Secretary, either Deputy Secretary, or the
Under Secretary for Management, the Assistant
[[Page 22456]]
Secretary for Diplomatic Security forms the Security Investigative Team
and reviews the Security Investigative Team's composition for any
conflict, appearance of conflict, or lack of independence and on an
expedited basis seeks approval from the Under Secretary for Management
for the composition of the Security Investigative Team.
(d) The Under Secretary for Management approves the composition of
the Security Investigative Team. The Under Secretary for Management
will endeavor to respond within five days to Diplomatic Security's
request for approval of the composition of the Security Investigative
Team.
(e) The Security Investigative Team investigates the potential
serious security incident and independently establishes what occurred
consistent with the statutory requirements. The Security Investigative
Team collects information, conducts interviews, reviews relevant
information and evidence, and makes a written administrative Report of
Investigation within 90 days of the occurrence of the potential serious
security incident.
(f) The Secretary convenes a Security Review Committee within 60
days of the occurrence of the potential serious security incident, or
within 120 days of the potential serious security incident if the
Secretary extends the period by 60 days.
(g) The Security Review Committee reviews the Report of
Investigation and any other evidence, reporting, and relevant
information related to a potential serious security incident. The
Security Review Committee makes a written report to the Secretary no
later than 60 days after receiving the Report of Investigation, unless
the Secretary extends this period for an additional 60 days. The
written SRC report provides a full account of what occurred, makes
required determinations as set out in the Security Review Committee
statute, and makes recommendations, as warranted.
(h) The Bureau of Legislative Affairs will provide the designated
committees of Congress with the following: a notification within eight
days of identifying a potential serious security incident; a
notification promptly upon establishment of a Security Review
Committee; a copy of any written report by the Security Review
Committee submitted to the Secretary of State no later than 90 days
after the Secretary of State receives it.
(i) Nothing in 22 CFR part 7 precludes the Secretary from
immediately directing the formation of a Security Investigative Team or
a Security Review Committee following an initial report of a potential
serious security incident.
Dated: April 21, 2026. .
Alice M. Kottmyer,
Attorney-Adviser, Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of
State.
[FR Doc. 2026-08148 Filed 4-24-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-35-P
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