Terrorism hoaxes

A bill (H.R. 1678) introduced by Sen. Lamar Smith (R-TX) that would make it a federal crime to fool people into believing that an act of terrorism had taken place has been approved by the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. The bill would also require anyone convicted under the measure to reimburse law enforcement for any costs of investigating the hoax.