Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
Where it stands
- Introduced2/17/23
- Passed HousePassed 9/10/24
- Senate
- President
- Law
Passed the House 413–3 on September 10, 2024 (Roll Call 405 →). Received in the Senate on September 25, 2024. No Senate action since.
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Roll calls on this bill
- Democratic201 Yea · 2 Nay · 8 Not voting
- Republican212 Yea · 1 Nay · 6 Not voting
- Independent / Other0 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
This bill requires the President to periodically determine whether to allow the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) to continue to operate in the United States. (The HKETOs are the official representative offices for Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous city that was established as a British colony in 1841. The United Kingdom transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to China in 1997).
Under this bill, the President must periodically (at least once a year) certify to Congress a determination as to whether the HKETOs should be covered by the International Organizations Immunities Act. (The act provides immunities and privileges to certain international organizations, such as immunity from certain lawsuits and exemption from property taxes.)
If the President certifies that the HKETOs no longer merit receiving such privileges and immunities, the HKETOs must terminate operations in the United States no later than 180 days after the certification is delivered to Congress.
If the President certifies that the HKETOs continue to merit such privileges and immunities, the HKETOs may continue operations for another year, unless Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving of the certification.
The President may also revoke the application of such privileges and immunities to the HKETOs.
A federal government entity may enter into an agreement or partnership with an HKETO only if the HKETOs are still authorized to operate in the United States under this bill.
7
2/17/23
What happens next
The Senate must pass the same text, then it goes to the President.
If it isn't enacted by Jan 3, 2025, it expires when the 118th Congress ends.
All actions (13)
- 2/17/23Introduced in House
- 2/17/23Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 11/29/23Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 11/29/23Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.
- 9/9/24Mr. Barr moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 9/9/24Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5068-5071)
- 9/9/24DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1103.
- 9/9/24At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. (text: CR H5068-5069)
- 9/10/24Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5119)
- 9/10/24Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 3 (Roll no. 405).
- 9/10/24On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 3 (Roll no. 405).
- 9/10/24Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 9/25/24Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.