Legis Daily

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

USA118th CongressHR-1103| House 
| Updated: 9/25/2024
Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Republican Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (7)
Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Ashley Hinson (Republican)Jennifer Wexton (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Mike Gallagher (Republican)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Nancy Pelosi (Democratic)

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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-9561
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
Feb 17, 2023
Introduced in House
Feb 17, 2023
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.
Jul 25, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 118-490
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Nov 29, 2023
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.
Nov 29, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Sep 9, 2024
Mr. Barr moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 9, 2024
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5068-5071)
Sep 9, 2024
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1103.
Sep 9, 2024
At 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)
Sep 10, 2024
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5119)
Sep 10, 2024
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).
View Vote
Sep 10, 2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 25, 2024
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-9561
    Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act


  • February 17, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • February 17, 2023
    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.


  • July 25, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 118-490
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • November 29, 2023
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.


  • November 29, 2023
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • September 9, 2024
    Mr. Barr moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • September 9, 2024
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5068-5071)


  • September 9, 2024
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1103.


  • September 9, 2024
    At 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)


  • September 10, 2024
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5119)


  • September 10, 2024
    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).
    View Vote


  • September 10, 2024
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • September 25, 2024
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 118-490: 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

USA118th CongressHR-1103| House 
| Updated: 9/25/2024
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-9561
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
Feb 17, 2023
Introduced in House
Feb 17, 2023
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.
Jul 25, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 118-490
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Nov 29, 2023
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.
Nov 29, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Sep 9, 2024
Mr. Barr moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 9, 2024
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5068-5071)
Sep 9, 2024
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1103.
Sep 9, 2024
At 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)
Sep 10, 2024
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5119)
Sep 10, 2024
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).
View Vote
Sep 10, 2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 25, 2024
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-9561
    Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act


  • February 17, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • February 17, 2023
    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.


  • July 25, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 118-490
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • November 29, 2023
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.


  • November 29, 2023
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • September 9, 2024
    Mr. Barr moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • September 9, 2024
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5068-5071)


  • September 9, 2024
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1103.


  • September 9, 2024
    At 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)


  • September 10, 2024
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5119)


  • September 10, 2024
    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).
    View Vote


  • September 10, 2024
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • September 25, 2024
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.
Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Republican Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (7)
Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Ashley Hinson (Republican)Jennifer Wexton (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Mike Gallagher (Republican)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Nancy Pelosi (Democratic)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Rules Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 118-490: 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