Bills · 118th Congress · International Affairs

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

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Roll calls on this bill

Votes on passage
HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · 9/10/24Suspension of the rulesA fast-track House procedure, usually for measures expected to have broad support. Debate is limited to 40 minutes, no amendments can be offered, and it needs a two-thirds vote of members voting — not a simple majority. A yes vote passes the bill. “As amended” means changes written into the motion itself are included.Rules of the House, Rule XV, clause 1 ↗
Passed
  • Democratic201 Yea · 2 Nay · 8 Not voting
  • Republican212 Yea · 1 Nay · 6 Not voting
  • Independent / Other0 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)

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.)

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Christopher H. Smith ( Republican · NJ-4)
Cosponsors
7
Introduced
2/17/23
Policy area
International Affairs
Status
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.
2/17/23Introduced in House
11/29/23Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.
11/29/23Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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)
9/9/24DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1103.
9/9/24Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5068-5071)
9/9/24Mr. Barr moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
9/10/24Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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).
9/10/24Passed/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).
9/10/24Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5119)
9/25/24Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.