Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that 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.

Highlights:

• 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 (Sec. ).

• Defines HKETOs as the official representative offices for Hong Kong, which is the semi-autonomous city that was established as a British colony in 1841, and specifies that the United Kingdom transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to China in 1997 (Sec. 2).

• Requires that the President annually certify to Congress a determination on whether the HKETOs should be covered by the International Organizations Immunities Act (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this bill provides immunities and privileges to certain international organizations, such as immunity from certain lawsuits and exemption from property taxes (Sec. 2).

• Requires that 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 (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that 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 (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the President to also revoke the application of such privileges and immunities to the HKETOs (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that 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 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text