H.R. 1187, the UAP Transparency Act, would require the President to order every federal agency holding records on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) to declassify those records and post them on the agency's public website. The bill also requires the President to report quarterly to Congress on how agencies are progressing with the release.
What counts as unidentified anomalous phenomena?
The bill defines UAP as three types of objects: airborne objects that cannot be immediately identified, submerged objects or devices that cannot be immediately identified and may be related to airborne objects, and objects or devices that are observed moving between space and the atmosphere or between the atmosphere and bodies of water.
What's the timeline for releasing these records?
Agencies would have 270 days from when the bill becomes law to declassify and release all their UAP records on public websites. The President would then have 360 days to submit an initial report to Congress, followed by quarterly reports detailing each agency's progress.
Who introduced this bill and where is it now?
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-2) introduced H.R. 1187 on February 11, 2025. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where it currently sits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What records would have to be released under this bill?
All documents, reports, and other records held by federal departments and agencies that relate to unidentified anomalous phenomena would have to be declassified and made publicly available on each agency's website.
the President shall direct the head of each Federal department or agency in possession of documents, reports, or other records relating to unidentified anomalous phenomena to declassify and make available on a publicly available website of each such department or agency all such documents, reports, or other records.
How long would agencies have to release these records?
Agencies would have 270 days from the date the bill becomes law to declassify and release all UAP-related records on their public websites.
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall direct the head of each Federal department or agency in possession of documents, reports, or other records relating to unidentified anomalous phenomena to declassify and make available on a publicly available website
What reporting requirements does the bill create?
The President must submit a report to Congress within 360 days of the bill becoming law, then submit quarterly reports thereafter. Each report must detail the progress each federal department and agency has made toward releasing their UAP records.
Not later than 360 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and quarterly thereafter, the President shall transmit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report detailing the progress toward implementing subsection (a) made by each Federal department and agency.
What is the official definition of unidentified anomalous phenomena in this bill?
The bill uses the definition from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, which includes airborne objects not immediately identifiable, submerged objects or devices not immediately identifiable that may relate to airborne objects, and objects observed transitioning between space and the atmosphere or between the atmosphere and bodies of water.
unidentified anomalous phenomena'' has the meaning given such term in section 1683 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022
Related Intelligence
UAP Transparency Act
H.R. 8424 (118th Congress): UAP Transparency Act.
Open fileUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena
Unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) is the official U.S. government term for objects or devices in the air, underwater, or moving between both that can't be readily identified.
Open file