BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026

This Act seeks to enhance the efficiency and transparency of export license application processing by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Congress finds that current delays create uncertainty for U.S. exporters, harm the economy, and undermine the competitiveness of American technology companies. The bill emphasizes that expeditious and predictable processing is crucial for maintaining U.S. economic leadership and stable global supply chains.

To address these concerns, the legislation amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. It establishes a target for the Secretary of Commerce to make licensing decisions within 90 days of application submission. If a decision is not reached within 120 days, the Secretary must notify the applicant of the status, the reason for the delay, and any additional information needed. The bill also mandates that licensing officers with relevant subject matter expertise play an essential role in conducting all license reviews.

Furthermore, the Act requires the Secretary to submit quarterly reports to specific congressional committees. These reports must detail various aspects of license processing, including the total number of applications, their current status, and a breakdown of approved, denied, or returned applications. The reports will also include average and median processing times, disaggregated by end-user country, Export Control Classification Number (ECCN), and type of transfer, along with reasons for delays exceeding 90 days. Finally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to conduct an audit of the BIS license review process within 90 days of enactment, analyzing the expeditiousness of decisions and identifying any bottlenecks, with a public report due within one year.