Docket HopperPart I · Bills · 114th H.R. 1493
H.R. 1493 · 114th CongressPublic Law 114-151International Affairs

Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act became law 417 days after introduction, with cosponsors from both parties

Sponsored by Engel, Eliot L. D-NY · 8 cosponsors: 5 Democrats, 3 Republicans
IntroducedMar 19, 2015
ReportedApr 23, 2015
Passed one chamberJun 1, 2015
Passed bothApr 13, 2016
LawMay 9, 2016
What it changes · CRS summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service [2]. 342 words.

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on April 13, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the President should establish an interagency coordinating committee to coordinate and advance executive branch efforts to protect and preserve international cultural property at risk from political instability, armed conflict, or natural or other disasters.

(Sec. 3) The President shall apply specified import restrictions with respect to any archaeological or ethnological material of Syria: within 90 days; without regard to whether Syria is a state party to the convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property (adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization); and notwithstanding the requirement that an emergency condition applies. The President shall at least once a year determine whether at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) Syria is incapable of fulfilling the requirements to request an agreement pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, and (2) it would be against the U.S. national interest to enter into such an agreement. The President may waive such import restrictions for specified cultural property if the President certifies to Congress that: (1) the foreign owner or custodian of the specified cultural property has requested that the property be temporarily located in the United States for protection purposes, (2) the property shall be returned upon request to the foreign owner or custodian, and (3) the grant of a waiver will not contribute to illegal trafficking in cultural property or financing of criminal or terrorist activities. Any archaeological or ethnological material that enters the United States pursuant to a waiver shall have immunity from seizure under P.L. 89-259 (which provides immunity from seizure for cultural items imported for temporary exhibition.)

(Sec. 4) The President shall report annually to Congress on executive branch efforts to protect and preserve international cultural property.

Context
Committees
House Armed Services Committee
House Foreign Affairs Committee
House Judiciary Committee
House Ways and Means Committee
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Policy area
International Affairs: 94 of 4,008 bills became law, 113th–118th (2.3%)
Sponsor
2 of 137 bills enacted since 2013
Text versions
7, from enrolled bill to public law · 1,547 words
Subjects
Advisory bodiesArchaeology and anthropologyConflicts and warsCongressional oversightCrimes against propertyCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation +12 more
Latest action
May 9, 2016: Became Public Law No: 114-151.
Records
Congress.gov · Bill text
Exhibit 1Passage odds band at each stage, rated when the bill reached it [4]
Related bills · 1

Each bill appears once, under its strongest link. 1 in all.

Related, per CRS or House · 1
  • 114th S. 1887 Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act D · Introduced

See this link on the network map →

Exhibit 2Articles naming the bill per day, last 90 days, US sources [3]