H.R. 1837 — what changed
United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act
From Introduced in House to Engrossed in House. 8 sections amended and 1 added between Introduced in House and Engrossed in House.
Sec. 101 Coordinator of United States-Israel Research and Development
In general— The President is encouraged to designate the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs to act as Coordinator of United States-Israel Research and Development (in this section referred to as the “Coordinator”).
Authorities and duties— The Coordinator, in conjunction with the heads of relevant Federal Government departments and agencies and in coordination with the Israel Innovation Authority, shall oversee civilian science and technology programs on a joint basis with Israel.
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Report— Not later than one 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Coordinator shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the implementation of this section.
Appropriate congressional committees defined— In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
Sec. 104 Report on potential benefits and impact to the United States of establishing a joint United States-Israel Cybersecurity Center of Excellence
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In general— Not later than one 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report examining the potential benefits and impact to the United States of establishing a joint United States-Israel Cybersecurity Center of Excellence based in the United States and Israel to leverage the experience, knowledge, and expertise of institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in subsection (a) or (b) of section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), private sector entities, and government entities in the area of cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure (as such term is defined in subsection (e) of section 1016 of the Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c; enacted in title X of the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 20 107–56))).
Appropriate congressional committees defined— In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
Sec. 105 Cyber diplomacy officer
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The Secretary of State, in consultation with the United States Ambassador to Israel, State is encouraged to appoint a qualified individual to assume the role of cyber attaché diplomacy officer at the United States Embassy in Israel.
Sec. 108 Joint cooperative program related to innovation and high-tech for the Middle East region
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Sense of Congress— It is the sense of Congress that the United States should help foster regional cooperation by financing and where appropriate, cooperating in, projects related to innovation and high-tech involving Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and other Middle Eastern countries wishing to participate.that—
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the United States should help foster cooperation in the Middle East region by financing and, where appropriate, cooperating in projects related to innovation and high-tech; and
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such projects should—
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contribute to development and the quality of life in the Middle East region through the application of research and technology; and
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contribute to Arab-Israeli cooperation by establishing strong working relationships that last beyond the life of such projects.
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Establishment— The Secretary of State, acting through the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development may Development, is authorized to seek to establish a joint cooperative program for between the United States, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, and the West Bank and Gaza Strip to provide for cooperation in the fields of Middle East region by financing and, where appropriate, cooperating in, projects related to innovation and high-tech.
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Project requirements— Each project carried out under the program established by subsection (b)—
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shall include participation from at least one entity of Israel and one entity of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, and the West Bank and Gaza Strip; and
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should include participation from a total of three or more such entities to the maximum extent practicable.
Sec. 110 Cooperation on other matters
United States-Israel Energy Center— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy $4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022 to carry out the activities of the United States-Israel Energy Center established pursuant to section 917(d) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(d)).
United States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation— It is the sense of Congress that grants to promote covered energy projects conducted by or in conjunction with the United States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation should continue to be funded at not less than $2,000,000 annually under section 917(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)).
United States-Israel cooperation on energy, water, homeland security, agriculture, and alternative fuel technologies— Section 7 of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 (22 U.S.C. 8606) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(d) Authorization of appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022.”
Annual policy dialogue— It is the sense of Congress that the Department of Transportation and Israel’s Ministry of Transportation should engage in an annual policy dialogue to implement the 2016 Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the Secretary of Transportation and the Israeli Minister of Transportation.
Cooperation on space exploration and science initiatives— The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to identify and cooperatively pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives in areas of mutual interest, taking all appropriate measures to protect sensitive information, intellectual property, trade secrets, and economic interests of the United States.
United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund—
In general— Section 1458(e)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291(e)(2)) is amended—
in subparagraph (A), by striking “and” at the end;
in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(C) include food and nutrition research and development and the commercialization of the best practices identified through such research and development.”
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subparagraph (C) of section 1458(e)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as added by paragraph (1)(C), $7,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Report—
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In general— Not later than one 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on activities of the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund under section 1458(e) of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291(e)).
Appropriate congressional committees defined— In this paragraph, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
Research and development cooperation relating to desalination technology—
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In general— Not later than one 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on research and development cooperation with international partners, such as the State of Israel, in the area of desalination technology as required under section 9(b)(3) of the Water Desalination Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 10301 note).
Appropriate congressional committees defined— In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
Research and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder— It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should seek to explore collaboration between the Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers and Centers of Excellence and Israeli institutions with expertise in researching and treating posttraumatic stress disorder.
Development of health technologies—
In general— There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022 to establish a bilateral cooperative program with Israel for the development of health technologies, including health technologies described in paragraph (2), with an emphasis on collaboratively advancing the use of technology, personalized medicine, and data in relation to aging.
Types of health technologies— The health technologies described in this paragraph may include technologies such as artificial intelligence, biofeedback, sensors, monitoring devices, and kidney care.
Office of International Programs of the Food and Drug Administration—
In general— It is the sense of Congress that the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration should seek to explore collaboration with Israel through the Office of International Programs.
Report—
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In general— Not later than one 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner, acting through the head of the Office of International Programs, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the benefits to the United States and to Israel of opening an office in Israel for the Office of International Programs.
Appropriate congressional committees defined— In this paragraph, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
Sense of Congress on United States-Israel economic cooperation— It is the sense of Congress that—
the United States-Israel economic partnership has achieved great tangible and intangible benefits to both countries and is a foundational component of the strong alliance;
science and technology innovations present promising new frontiers for United States-Israel economic cooperation, particularly in light of widespread drought, cybersecurity attacks, and other major challenges impacting the United States; and
the President should regularize and expand existing forums of economic dialogue with Israel and foster both public and private sector participation.
Sec. 203 Contingency plans to provide Israel with necessary defense articles and services
In general— The President, acting through the Secretary of Defense and in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall establish and update as appropriate contingency plans to provide Israel with defense articles and services that are determined by the Secretary of Defense to be necessary for the defense of Israel.
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Congressional briefing— Not later than one 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the status of the contingency plans required under subsection (a).
Sec. 302 Facilitation of the settlement of terrorism-related claims of nationals of the United States
Comprehensive process To facilitate the resolution of Anti-Terrorism Act claims— The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, develop and initiate a comprehensive process for the Department of State to facilitate the resolution and settlement of covered claims.
Elements of comprehensive process— The comprehensive process developed under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following:
Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Department of State shall publish a notice in the Federal Register identifying the method by which a national of the United States, or a representative of a national of the United States, who has a covered claim, may contact the Department of State to give notice of the covered claim.
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, or a designee of the Secretary, shall meet (and make every effort to continue to meet on a regular basis thereafter) with any national of the United States, or a representative of a national of the United States, who has a covered claim and has informed the Department of State of the covered claim using the method established pursuant to paragraph (1) to discuss the status of the covered claim, including the status of any settlement discussions with the Palestinian Authority or the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, or a designee of the Secretary, shall make every effort to meet (and make every effort to continue to meet on a regular basis thereafter) with representatives of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to discuss the covered claims identified pursuant to paragraph (1) and potential settlement of the covered claims.
Report to Congress— The Secretary of State shall, not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years, submit to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report describing activities that the Department of State has undertaken to comply with this section, including specific updates regarding paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b).
Sense of Congress— It is the sense of Congress that—
covered claims should be resolved in a manner that provides just compensation to the victims;
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any final judgment awarded to any national of the United States under section 2333 of title 18, United States Code, against the Palestinian Authority or the Palestine Liberation Organization covered claims should be resolved and settled in favor of the victim to the fullest extent possible;possible and without subjecting victims to unnecessary or protracted litigation;
the United States Government should take all practicable steps to facilitate the resolution and settlement of all covered claims, including engaging directly with the victims or their representatives and the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization; and
the United States Government should strongly urge the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to commit to good-faith negotiations to resolve and settle all covered claims.
Definition— In this section, the term covered claim means any pending action by, or final judgment in favor of, a national of the United States, or any action by a national of the United States dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction, under section 2333 of title 18, United States Code, against the Palestinian Authority or the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Sec. 303 Modification to consent of certain parties to personal jurisdiction
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Amendment to title 18— Section 2334 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
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by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (e)(1) and inserting the following:
added “(A) beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, makes, renews, promotes, or advances any application in order to obtain the same standing as a member state in the United Nations or any specialized agency thereof, or accepts such standing, outside an agreement negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians; or
added “(B) beginning on the date that is 15 days after the date of enactment of the Justice for United States Victims of Palestinian Terrorism Act—
added “(i) continues to maintain any office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities or establishments in the United States; or
added “(ii) establishes or procures any office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities or establishments in the United States.”
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And by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
added “(3) Defendant defined—For purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, the term “defendant” means—
added “(A) the Palestinian Authority;
added “(B) the Palestine Liberation Organization;
added “(C) any organization or other entity that is a successor to or affiliated with the Palestinian Authority or the Palestine Liberation Organization; or
added “(D) any organization or other entity—
added “(i) identified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C); and
added “(ii) that self-identifies as, holds itself out to be, or carries out conduct in the name of, the “State of Palestine” or “Palestine” in connection with official business of the United Nations.
added “(4) Exception for certain activities and locations—In determining whether a defendant shall be deemed to have consented to personal jurisdiction under paragraph (1)(B), a court may not consider—
added “(A) any office, headquarters, premises or other facility or establishment used exclusively for the purpose of conducting official business of the United Nations; or
added “(B) any activity undertaken exclusively for the purpose of conducting official business of the United Nations.
added “(5) Rule of construction—Notwithstanding any other law (including any treaty), any office, headquarters, premises, or other facility or establishment within the territory of the United States that is not specifically exempted by paragraph (4)(A) shall be considered to be in the United States for purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(B).”
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Prior consent not abrogated— The amendments made by this section do not abrogate any consent deemed to have been given under section 2334(e) of title 18, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.
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Section 2334 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraph (A) of subsection (e)(1) and inserting the following:
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“(A) in the case of a defendant benefitting from a waiver or suspension of section 1003 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987 (22 U.S.C. 5202) after the date that is 120 days after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, makes any new application in order to obtain the same standing as member states or full membership as a state in the United Nations or any specialized agency thereof outside an agreement negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians; or”
Sec. 401 Determination of budgetary effects
addedadded The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled “Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation” for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.