Legis Daily

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

USA118th CongressS-490| Senate 
| Updated: 7/25/2023
Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio

Republican Senator

Florida

Cosponsors (2)
Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Foreign Relations 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

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2 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5253
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
Feb 16, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Feb 16, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jul 13, 2023
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 25, 2023
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jul 25, 2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 148.
Sep 25, 2024

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-1103
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5253
    Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act


  • February 16, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 16, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • July 13, 2023
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • July 25, 2023
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • July 25, 2023
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 148.


  • September 25, 2024

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-1103
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 118-1103: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
AsiaChinaCompetitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficitsCongressional oversightCultural exchanges and relationsHong KongLegislative rules and procedureLicensing and registrationsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsTravel and tourism

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

USA118th CongressS-490| Senate 
| Updated: 7/25/2023
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
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5253
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
Feb 16, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Feb 16, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jul 13, 2023
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 25, 2023
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jul 25, 2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 148.
Sep 25, 2024

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-1103
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5253
    Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act


  • February 16, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 16, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • July 13, 2023
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • July 25, 2023
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • July 25, 2023
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 148.


  • September 25, 2024

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-1103
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.
Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio

Republican Senator

Florida

Cosponsors (2)
Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 118-1103: 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 relationsHong KongLegislative rules and procedureLicensing and registrationsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsTravel and tourism