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Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

USA117th CongressHR-9561| House 
| Updated: 12/14/2022
Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Republican Representative

New Jersey

Foreign Affairs Committee, Rules Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.
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Timeline
Dec 14, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-5253
Introduced in Senate
Dec 14, 2022
Introduced in House
Dec 14, 2022
Referred 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.
  • December 14, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-5253
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 14, 2022
    Introduced in House


  • December 14, 2022
    Referred 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.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 117-5253: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
AsiaChinaCompetitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficitsCongressional oversightCultural exchanges and relationsGovernment liabilityHong KongInternational organizations and cooperationLegislative rules and procedureLicensing and registrationsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsTravel and tourism

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

USA117th CongressHR-9561| House 
| Updated: 12/14/2022
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 14, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-5253
Introduced in Senate
Dec 14, 2022
Introduced in House
Dec 14, 2022
Referred 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.
  • December 14, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-5253
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 14, 2022
    Introduced in House


  • December 14, 2022
    Referred 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.
Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Republican Representative

New Jersey

Foreign Affairs Committee, Rules Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 117-5253: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AsiaChinaCompetitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficitsCongressional oversightCultural exchanges and relationsGovernment liabilityHong KongInternational organizations and cooperationLegislative rules and procedureLicensing and registrationsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsTravel and tourism