[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21861-21880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1172]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of International Investment

31 CFR Part 800

RIN 1505-AB88


Regulations Pertaining to Mergers, Acquisitions, and Takeovers by 
Foreign Persons

AGENCY: Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Proposed Rule; Notice of Inquiry and Public Meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This proposed regulation amends regulations in part 800 of 31 
CFR that implement section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, 
as amended. The proposed regulations would implement amendments made by 
the Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007 to section 721 
of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (``section 721''). While the 
proposed regulations retain many features of the existing regulations, 
a number of changes have been made to increase clarity, reflect 
developments in business practices over the past several years, and 
make additional improvements based on experiences with the existing 
regulations.

DATES: Comment Date: Written comments must be received by June 9, 2008.
    Public Meeting Date: The public meeting will be held from 10 a.m. 
until 12 p.m. on May 2, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Comments: Written comments on the proposed regulations may 
be submitted electronically via the federal government E-Rulemaking 
Portal: www.regulations.gov. Written comments may be submitted by mail 
to: Nova Daly, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of the 
Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220. All 
comments and attachments submitted are part of the public record and 
subject to disclosure. Do not include any material in your comments 
that you consider to be confidential or inappropriate for public 
disclosure.
    You may view copies of this proposed rule and any comments we 
receive about this proposal at www.regulations.gov. You may personally 
inspect and photocopy comments at the Department of the Treasury 
Library, Room 1428, Main Treasury Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC. You can make an appointment to inspect comments by 
calling (202) 622-0990.
    A link to written comments will be established on the following Web 
site: http://www.treas.gov/offices/international-affairs/cfius/index.shtml.
    Public Meeting Address: The public meeting will be held in the Cash 
Room of the Treasury Building, at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20220.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this Proposed Rule 
or the Notice of Inquiry and Public Meeting, contact: Nova Daly, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220; telephone: (202) 622-2752; or e-
mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c48aabb2a5ea80a5a8bd84a0abeab0b6a1a5b7eaa3abb2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1b55746d7a355f7a77625b7f74356f697e7a68357c746d">[email protected]</span></a>., or Welby Leaman, Senior Advisor; 
telephone: (202) 622-0099; or e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bbecded7d9c295f7dedad6dad5fbdfd495cfc9dedac895dcd4cd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6a3d0f06081344260f0b070b042a0e05441e180f0b19440d051c">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background With Regard to the Notice of Inquiry and Public Meeting

    The President has directed the Secretary of the Treasury to issue 
regulations implementing section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 
1950, as amended. On October 24, 2007, the Department of the Treasury 
convened a public meeting at the Department of the Treasury to solicit 
a wide array of views on several broad topics, including from 
businesses and professionals active in international mergers and 
acquisitions, in order to inform regulatory development. The purpose of 
this second notice of inquiry and public meeting is to continue to seek 
public input on these important matters,

[[Page 21862]]

particularly in light of the publication of the proposed regulations.
    Treasury announces a public meeting to be held from ten until 
twelve o'clock (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) on May 2, 2008, in the Cash Room of 
the Treasury Building, at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20220, to discuss issues associated with these proposed regulations. 
The meeting will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served 
basis. Space is limited. Due to security requirements and to facilitate 
entry to the meeting site, anyone wishing to attend must contact Ms. 
Barbara Vaughn at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#84c6e5f6e6e5f6e5aad2e5f1e3eceac4e0ebaaf0f6e1e5f7aae3ebf2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0b496a79696a796a255d6a7e6c63654b6f64257f796e6a78256c647d">[email protected]</span></a> or (202) 622-1935 no 
later than April 25, 2008, in order to provide the necessary clearance 
information: Full name, business affiliation, date of birth, and Social 
Security number. For foreign nationals: Full name, business 
affiliation, date of birth, passport number, and the country where the 
passport was issued. When arriving for the meeting, attendees must 
present photo or passport identification and/or a U.S. Government 
building pass, if applicable, and should arrive at least one-half hour 
prior to the start time of the meeting. The public meeting is 
physically accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals 
requiring special services, such as sign language interpretation, are 
asked to indicate this to Ms. Vaughn.

II. Background

The Statute

    The Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007, Public 
Law 110-49, 121 Stat. 246 (``FINSA''), which amends section 721 of the 
Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. App. Sec.  2170 et seq.) 
(``DPA''), requires the issuance of regulations implementing its 
provisions, following public notice and comment.
    FINSA was passed by Congress as H.R. 556, which adopted the 
language of S. 1610. S. Rep. 110-80, accompanying S. 1610, provides a 
useful history of the various bills leading to the enactment of FINSA. 
President Bush signed FINSA into law on July 26, 2007, and it became 
effective on October 24, 2007.
    Section 721 authorizes the President to review mergers, 
acquisitions, and takeovers by or with any foreign person which could 
result in foreign control of any person engaged in interstate commerce 
in the United States, to determine the effects of such transactions on 
the national security of the United States. FINSA codifies aspects of 
the structure, role, process, and responsibilities of the Committee on 
Foreign Investment in the United States (``CFIUS'') and the role of 
executive branch departments, agencies, and offices in CFIUS's review 
of transactions for national security concerns. A brief summary of 
major aspects of the statute follows.
    FINSA formally establishes CFIUS in statute, as CFIUS had existed 
only by executive order. FINSA specifies the following as members of 
CFIUS: The Secretary of the Treasury (who serves as chairperson), the 
Attorney General, and the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Commerce, 
Defense, State, and Energy. FINSA also provides that CFIUS may include, 
generally or on a case-by-case basis as the President deems 
appropriate, the heads of any other executive department, agency, or 
office. The President has designated additional members of CFIUS in 
Executive Order 11858, as amended by Executive Order 13456 on January 
23, 2008. FINSA also establishes the Director of National Intelligence 
(``DNI'') and the Secretary of Labor as ex officio members of CFIUS. 
FINSA specifies that the DNI is to provide independent analyses of any 
national security threats posed by transactions, and is to have no 
other policy role. FINSA requires that the role of the Secretary of 
Labor, with respect to mitigation agreements, be defined by 
regulations. FINSA further anticipates that, for each transaction 
before CFIUS, the Department of the Treasury shall designate, as 
appropriate, one or more lead agencies. The lead agency, on behalf of 
CFIUS, may negotiate, enter into or impose, and enforce mitigation 
agreements or conditions with parties to the transaction to address any 
threats to national security posed by the transaction.
    FINSA also formalizes the process by which CFIUS conducts national 
security reviews of any transaction that could result in foreign 
control of a person engaged in interstate commerce in the United 
States, which FINSA refers to as a ``covered transaction.'' 
Specifically, FINSA provides for a 30-day CFIUS review of covered 
transactions to determine the effect of the transactions on national 
security, and address any threat. Subject to certain exceptions 
(discussed below), FINSA requires an additional 45-day investigation in 
the following types of cases: (1) Where the transaction threatens to 
impair U.S. national security and that threat has not been mitigated 
prior to or during the 30-day review; (2) where the transaction is a 
foreign government-controlled transaction; (3) transactions that would 
result in foreign control over critical infrastructure and that CFIUS 
determines could impair national security, if that impairment has not 
been mitigated; or (4) where the lead agency recommends, and CFIUS 
concurs, that an investigation be undertaken.
    To ensure high-level accountability for CFIUS decisions, FINSA 
requires that a high-level official of the Department of the Treasury 
and at the lead agency certify to Congress that, for any covered 
transaction on which CFIUS has concluded action under section 721, 
CFIUS has determined that there are no unresolved national security 
concerns. The certification must be made at the Assistant Secretary 
level or above for transactions on which CFIUS concludes action under 
section 721 after a review, and at the Deputy Secretary level or above 
for transactions on which CFIUS concludes action under section 721 
after an investigation. If it is the President who concludes action on 
a transaction under section 721, then he must announce his decision 
publicly.
    In addition, in order for CFIUS to conclude action under section 
721 for a foreign government-controlled transaction without proceeding 
beyond a review to an investigation, the Department of the Treasury and 
the lead agency must determine, at the Deputy Secretary level or above, 
that the transaction will not impair national security. Similarly, 
under sections 721(b)(2)(B)(i)(III) and 721(b)(2)(D)(i), in cases where 
the transaction would result in foreign control over critical 
infrastructure that could impair national security, and such impairment 
has not been mitigated during the review period, CFIUS may conclude 
action under section 721 without proceeding beyond a review if the 
Department of the Treasury and the lead agency determine, at the Deputy 
Secretary level or above, that the transaction will not impair national 
security.
    Where a covered transaction does present national security 
concerns, FINSA provides statutory authority for CFIUS, or a lead 
agency acting on behalf of CFIUS, to enter into mitigation agreements 
with parties to the transaction or impose conditions on the transaction 
to address such concerns. This authority enables CFIUS to mitigate any 
national security risk posed by a transaction, rather than recommending 
to the President that the transaction be prohibited because it could 
impair U.S. national security.
    FINSA provides that CFIUS may reopen its review of a transaction on 
which it previously concluded action under section 721 if a party to 
the transaction submitted false or misleading material information or 
omitted material information. CFIUS may also reopen a review where a 
party to a transaction intentionally and

[[Page 21863]]

materially breaches a mitigation agreement or condition, and there are 
no other remedies available to address the breach. Any decision by 
CFIUS to reopen a review must be made at the Under Secretary level or 
above. FINSA also provides CFIUS with authority to impose civil 
penalties for violations of section 721, including violations of any 
mitigation agreement. Finally, FINSA increases CFIUS's reporting to 
Congress concerning the work it has undertaken pursuant to section 721. 
In addition to the certifications described previously, which CFIUS 
must provide to Congress after concluding action on a transaction under 
section 721, CFIUS must also provide annual reports on its work, 
including a list of the transactions it has reviewed or investigated in 
the preceding 12 months, analysis related to foreign direct investment 
and critical technologies, and a report on foreign direct investment 
from certain countries.

III. Discussion of Proposed Regulations

Overview

    The proposed CFIUS regulations retain many of the basic features of 
the existing regulations, which were adopted after the 1988 enactment 
of the Exon-Florio provision of the DPA. The system continues to be 
based on voluntary notices to CFIUS by parties to transactions, 
although CFIUS retains the authority to review a transaction of which 
it has not been voluntarily notified. The principal new development 
with regard to the procedures for filing notice to CFIUS is that the 
proposed regulations make explicit CFIUS's current practice of 
encouraging parties to contact and engage with CFIUS before formally 
filing. By consulting with the Staff Chairperson in advance of filing 
and, where appropriate, providing CFIUS with a draft notice or some 
portion of the information that may later be included in the notice, 
parties can help ensure that their notice, once submitted, will provide 
the information CFIUS needs to do its work. Such pre-notice 
consultations can help ensure that reviews of covered transactions are 
concluded as efficiently as possible. In addition to these regulations, 
the Committee is preparing guidance on certain transactions, pursuant 
to section 721(b)(2)(E). The guidance is to include a discussion of, 
among other things, certain types of information the Committee 
considers useful for companies filing a notice to provide, based on 
past experience.
    The provisions of Subpart D pertaining to the contents of a 
voluntary notice have been expanded to reflect questions that CFIUS now 
routinely asks of notifying parties. By laying out these questions in 
the regulations, and having the relevant information included in each 
notification, CFIUS will be better prepared to conduct an efficient and 
in-depth analysis as soon as a notice is accepted. As noted in the 
proposed regulations, personal identifier information, which is needed 
to examine the backgrounds of members of the boards of directors and 
senior company officials of entities in the ownership chain of the 
foreign acquirer, should be submitted in conjunction with each 
notification, and should be marked clearly and provided as a separate 
document to ensure that distribution of the personal identifier 
information is as limited as possible, as well as to facilitate 
deletion of this information from CFIUS's records once action under 
section 721 is concluded. In addition to the new information 
requirements, the proposed regulations, consistent with FINSA, also 
require each of the parties to a notified transaction to provide 
certifications regarding the accuracy and completeness of their 
notices, with regard to information about the party making the 
certification (including certain affiliated entities), the transaction, 
and all follow-up information. A notice will not be deemed complete if 
it lacks certifications that comply with these requirements, and CFIUS 
may reject a notice that has previously been accepted if the final 
certification required under section 800.701(d) has not been received. 
Furthermore, material misstatements or omissions made by a party in 
connection with a section 721 review or investigation may result in the 
rejection of the notice, or the reopening of a completed review or 
investigation.
    Consistent with the new authority provided by FINSA, the proposed 
regulations provide for penalties for breach of section 721 or of 
mitigation agreements or conditions. The proposed regulations also 
provide that a mitigation agreement may include provisions establishing 
liquidated damages for violations of the agreement. (See Sec.  
800.801.) Parties that receive a notice of the imposition of penalties 
will have the opportunity to appeal the imposition of the penalties to 
CFIUS.
    Certain changes to the existing regulations have been made, 
including revisions to or deletions of existing examples or provisions, 
to take into account FINSA and other applicable law.

Covered Transaction

    FINSA introduced the term ``covered transaction'' to identify the 
types of transactions that are subject to review and investigation by 
CFIUS. The statutory definition of covered transaction maintains the 
scope of section 721 as pertaining to any merger, acquisition, or 
takeover by or with a foreign person which could result in foreign 
control of any person engaged in interstate commerce in the United 
States.
    These proposed regulations further clarify the meaning of the term 
``covered transaction'' (see Sec.  800.206) by specifying the scope of 
important elements of the term, including ``transaction,'' ``control,'' 
``U.S. business,'' and ``foreign person.'' The definitions and 
clarification of these terms appear in Subpart B (Definitions) and in 
Subpart C (Coverage).
Transaction
    The term ``transaction'' is defined in section 800.224, and 
implements the statutory requirement that a covered transaction be one 
that involves a ``merger, acquisition, or takeover'' that is proposed 
or consummated. This definition continues to exclude greenfield 
investment, and includes only a very limited type of long-term lease.
Control
    FINSA does not define ``control,'' but rather requires that CFIUS 
prescribe a definition by regulation. (See FINSA, Pub. L. 110-49, 
section 2, adding Sec.  721(a)(2).) ``Control'' is and always has been 
a key threshold concept in section 721, as the authority provided under 
that section, from the authority to review or investigate a notified 
transaction to the authority of the President to take action to suspend 
or prohibit a transaction, is predicated on the existence of foreign 
control of a person engaged in interstate commerce in the United 
States. This focus on control suggests a fundamental congressional 
judgment that national security risks are potentially highest in 
transactions that entail the acquisition of control of an entity 
operating in the United States. Indeed, Congress made clear in the 1988 
Conference Report that accompanied the original Exon-Florio provision 
that ``the Conferees in no way intend to impose barriers to foreign 
investment. Section 721 is not intended to authorize investigations on 
investments that could not result in foreign control of persons engaged 
in interstate commerce.'' (See H.R. Rep. No. 100-576 at 926.) Nothing 
in FINSA

[[Page 21864]]

or its legislative history suggests any departure from this focus on 
control. Indeed, FINSA introduces the new term ``covered transaction,'' 
which, as discussed above, incorporates the concept of control in its 
definition.
    The proposed regulations adopt the long-standing approach of 
defining ``control'' in functional terms as the ability to exercise 
certain powers over important matters affecting a business. 
Specifically, ``control'' is defined as the ``power, direct or 
indirect, whether or not exercised, through the ownership of a majority 
or a dominant minority of the total outstanding voting interest in an 
entity, board representation, proxy voting, a special share, 
contractual arrangements, formal or informal arrangements to act in 
concert, or other means, to determine, direct, or decide important 
matters affecting an entity; in particular, but without limitation, to 
determine, direct, take, reach, or cause decisions regarding * * * 
important matters affecting an entity[.]'' (See Sec. Sec. 800.203(a).) 
Two points should be emphasized concerning this definition. First, it 
eschews bright lines. Consistent with the existing regulations, control 
is not defined in terms of a specified percentage of shares or numbers 
of board seats. Although share holding and board seats are relevant to 
a control analysis, neither factor on its own is necessarily 
determinative. Instead, all relevant factors are considered together in 
light of their potential impact on a foreign person's ability to 
determine direct, or decide important matters affecting a company. 
Second, echoing the congressional views expressed in the conference 
report accompanying the original legislation in 1988, the focus of the 
statute and therefore these regulations is control. Even acknowledging 
the considerable flexibility necessarily inherent in a national 
security regulation, the statutory standard is not satisfied by 
anything less than control. Acquisition of influence falling short of 
the definition of control over a U.S. business is not sufficient to 
bring a transaction under section 721.
    In light of the significance of the concept of control to this 
regulatory framework, control appears in several different places 
throughout the regulations, both in those regulations that define the 
nature of the acquirer and those that define the transaction itself. 
For example, control is a key concept in the definitions of ``foreign 
person'' and ``foreign government-controlled transaction.'' (See 
Sec. Sec.  800.216 and 800.214, respectively.) A foreign person is any 
foreign national (i.e., a natural person who is a citizen of another 
country), foreign government, or foreign entity, or any ``entity over 
which control is exercised or exercisable by a foreign national, 
foreign government or foreign entity.'' A foreign government-controlled 
transaction is one that ``could result in the control of a U.S. 
business by a foreign government or a person controlled by or acting on 
behalf of a foreign government.'' Similarly, ``covered transaction'' is 
defined in these proposed regulations as ``any transaction that is 
proposed or pending after the effective date [i.e., August 23, 1988] by 
or with any foreign person, which could result in control of any person 
engaged in interstate commerce in the United States.''
    Conversely, transactions that will not result in foreign control 
over a person engaged in interstate commerce in the United States are 
not subject to section 721. Thus, a start-up or ``greenfield'' 
investment is not subject to section 721. (See Sec.  800.301(c), 
example 3.) Moreover, as noted below, a foreign person does not control 
an entity if it holds 10 percent or less of the voting interest in the 
entity and it holds that interest ``solely for the purpose of 
investment,'' as that term is defined in Sec.  800.223. (See Sec.  
800.302(c).) This rule would not apply if only the first prong is 
satisfied. For example, a transaction involving a foreign person with 
an interest of nine percent in a U.S. business who has bargained for 
rights to determine, direct, take, reach, or cause decisions regarding 
important matters affecting that business, would be a covered 
transaction. Thus, the regulations do not provide, and never have 
provided, an exemption based solely on whether an investment is 10 
percent or less in a U.S. business.
    Section 800.203 lays out the basic definition of ``control,'' 
provides an exemplary list of matters that are deemed to be important, 
states that CFIUS will consider certain relationships between persons 
in evaluating whether an entity is considered to be controlled by a 
foreign person, and identifies minority shareholder protections that 
are not considered in themselves to confer control over an entity. The 
regulations add a number of examples to provide greater clarity on the 
application of this definition.
U.S. Business
    Section 800.227 defines ``U.S. business,'' which is included in the 
definition of ``covered transaction,'' to mean any entity engaged in 
interstate commerce in the United States, but only to the extent of its 
activities in interstate commerce in the United States. In determining 
whether a person is a U.S. business, CFIUS will consider whether the 
entity (which is defined to include any branch, partnership, group or 
sub-group, association, estate, trust, corporation or division of a 
corporation, organization, assets operated by any one of the foregoing 
as a business undertaking in a particular location or for particular 
products or services, even though those assets may not be organized as 
a separate legal entity, or government) that is the subject of the 
acquisition is engaged in interstate commerce.
Foreign Person
    The term ``foreign person'' is defined in section 800.216. The only 
significant revision that the proposed regulations make to the 
definition of foreign person is to introduce the new concept of a 
``foreign entity,'' further discussed in the section-by-section 
analysis below (see Sec.  800.212), and to specify that an entity that 
qualifies as a foreign entity will be deemed a foreign person.
Transactions That Are and Are Not Covered Transactions
    Sections 800.301 and 800.302 illustrate the types of transactions 
that are and are not covered transactions, respectively. Section 
800.301(a) further develops the reference in section 800.203 to 
``exercisable'' power by making clear that, if a foreign person has the 
ability to exercise control over a U.S. business at the time a 
transaction is consummated, at will, or after a particular period of 
time, then the person cannot avoid a determination that ``control'' 
exists for purposes of section 721 by voluntarily forbearing from, or 
delaying, the exercise of control.
    Section 800.302(c) provides a special, but very limited, 
qualification to the application of the general control principle. 
Pursuant to section 800.302(c), a foreign person does not control an 
entity if it satisfies a two-pronged test: (1) It holds 10 percent or 
less of the voting interest in the entity, and (2) its interest is held 
solely for the purpose of investment. Section 800.223 lays out the test 
for whether an interest is held solely for the purpose of investment. 
Under that test, an interest would not be held solely for the purpose 
of investment if the foreign person has the capability and an intention 
to control the entity, possesses or develops any purpose other than 
investment, or acts in a way that is inconsistent with an intent to 
hold the interest solely for the purpose of investment. This special 
rule applies to all types of investors equally, rather than assuming 
that

[[Page 21865]]

certain types of institutions are passive investors.
    Sections 800.301(b) and 800.302(d) further illustrate the extent to 
which greenfield investments, the acquisition of branch offices, assets 
from multiple sources, and defunct businesses, and the entry into 
commodity purchase contracts, service contracts, and technology license 
agreements, are covered transactions. Section 800.301(d) addresses 
joint ventures, which may be covered only if they involve the 
contribution of a U.S. business.
    Sections 800.302(e), (f), and (g) and 800.303 establish special 
rules with regard to securities underwriting, insurance, and lending, 
to clarify certain circumstances in which a foreign person may, in the 
ordinary course of its business, obtain an interest in an entity that 
may not be considered control of that entity because of those 
circumstances.

Section-by-Section Discussion of Proposed Changes

    Section 800.201. The term certification has been added as part of 
the implementation of a provision in FINSA stating that parties that 
file voluntary notices must certify the accuracy and completeness of 
their filings with CFIUS. This new requirement applies both to notices 
and to any follow-up information provided to CFIUS. The Staff 
Chairperson may reject at any time during a review or investigation a 
voluntary notice that does not include certifications that comply with 
the requirements of these regulations. An inaccurate or incomplete 
certification may give rise, in certain circumstances, to the 
imposition of penalties under section 800.801(a) and other applicable 
laws.
    Section 800.203. The definition of control has been clarified and 
refined to remove unnecessary wording, but is substantively similar to 
the prior definition. The remaining changes are generally intended to 
clarify that control can be exercised in a number of ways, both 
affirmatively and, in some cases, negatively. At the same time, the 
definition recognizes that certain types of negative rights that are 
intended only to protect the investment-backed expectations of minority 
shareholders, and that do not affect strategic decisions on business 
policy or day-to-day management of an entity or other important matters 
affecting the entity, do not constitute control. The focus of CFIUS's 
analysis of whether a particular transaction could result in the 
acquisition of foreign control is on the ability of a foreign person to 
determine, direct, or decide important matters affecting a U.S. 
business, including to determine, direct, take, reach, or cause 
decisions regarding important matters affecting the U.S. business. 
Numerous examples have been added to illustrate the operation of these 
principles.
    Section 800.207. In defining critical infrastructure, the proposed 
regulations state that a transaction involves critical infrastructure 
where the incapacity or destruction of the particular assets at issue 
in the particular transaction under review would have a debilitating 
impact on national security.
    Section 800.208. FINSA requires that regulations implementing 
section 721 include a definition of critical technologies. The proposed 
regulations define critical technologies with reference to existing 
regulatory regimes that deal with the trade or handling of sensitive 
goods, technology, and services. Section 800.402(c)(4) requires 
voluntary notices to identify, among other things, any critical 
technologies produced or traded by the U.S. business that is the 
subject of the covered transaction.
    Section 800.209. This section defines duly authorized designee, 
which the definition of certification in section 800.201 uses to 
identify additional persons besides the chief executive officer who may 
complete the certifications required by the regulations. This 
definition makes clear that certifications must come from specified 
knowledgeable, high-level individuals who have the authority to bind an 
organization. CFIUS will not accept a certification signed only by 
outside counsel.
    Section 800.211. The term entity encompasses the range of persons, 
other than natural persons, that can comprise a ``person'' for purposes 
of section 721. An entity need not have a distinct legal personality, 
as the term includes branches, partnerships, groups or sub-groups, 
associations, estates, trusts, corporations or divisions of 
corporations, organizations, governments, or assets operated by any one 
of the foregoing as a business undertaking in a particular location or 
for particular products or services, regardless of whether they are 
organized as a legal matter. Accordingly, an operating unit or sub-unit 
of a business--particularly one that includes the business' production 
facilities, customer or vendor relationships, technology, staff, know-
how or other tangible or intangible assets--may be an entity, even if 
that operating unit or sub-unit is not legally organized.
    Section 800.212. A new term, foreign entity, has been added to 
refer to entities organized outside the United States that CFIUS 
considers to be foreign persons because of their substantial foreign 
ownership, even though ownership is widely dispersed among different 
foreign persons and no single foreign person may control the entity.
    Section 800.216. The definition of foreign person has been expanded 
to include ``foreign entity.'' In addition, a number of examples have 
been added to provide further guidance.
    Section 800.218. The definition of lead agency specifies, pursuant 
to FINSA and Executive Order 11858, as amended by Executive Order 
13456, that the Department of the Treasury may designate an agency as 
being responsible for all or any portion of a matter under section 721, 
including the review, investigation, and negotiation or monitoring of 
mitigation agreements and conditions. The Department of the Treasury 
may appoint more than one lead agency for a single transaction.
    Section 800.219. The definition of the term parent includes 
immediate, intermediate, and ultimate parents of an entity.
    Section 800.224. The term transaction replaces the term acquisition 
in order to harmonize the terminology of the regulations with that of 
the statute. In addition to general clarifications to the definition, 
the proposed regulations add certain joint ventures and long-term 
leases as types of transactions. The current regulations already 
provide that joint ventures involving the contribution of a U.S. person 
could be covered transactions, though joint ventures are not actually 
listed in the definition of acquisition. Long-term leases are covered 
when, because of the terms of the lease and the extent of the lessee's 
authority over the U.S. business, the lease is effectively a 
transaction for purposes of section 721. A ``transaction'' is only a 
``covered transaction'' if the other elements of the definition of 
``covered transaction'' are also present.
    Section 800.227. The term U.S. business replaces and expands upon 
the term United States person, in the manner and for the reasons 
described above.
    Section 800.301. This section is revised to further clarify the 
types of transactions that are covered transactions under section 721. 
The principal substantive change in this section relates to joint 
ventures. The proposed regulations revise section 800.301(d) to 
harmonize the control standard for joint ventures with the standard 
used for all other transactions. If the joint venture would result in 
``control'' of a U.S. business by a foreign person under the definition 
of ``control''

[[Page 21866]]

in section 800.203, then the joint venture is a covered transaction.
    Section 800.302. Paragraph (b) clarifies factors that CFIUS will 
take into account in determining whether the acquisition of convertible 
instruments, rather than the conversion of such instruments, would be 
the transaction that is potentially a covered transaction. The time at 
which control is conferred, whether at acquisition or conversion, will 
depend, among certain other factors, on the extent to which the 
acquirer can control the timing of the conversion. In either case, 
control will depend on what rights the convertible interests, once 
converted, will convey to their holder.
    Paragraph (c) has been revised and an example added to clarify that 
the 10 percent threshold is determinative only if the foreign person's 
acquisition is solely for the purpose of investment, as that term is 
defined in section 800.223. If the acquisition is not solely for the 
purpose of investment--which may be reflected by the foreign person's 
actions, its negotiation of special rights, or other factors--then the 
rule that an ownership interest of 10 percent or less does not confer 
control does not apply.
    Paragraph (d) combines two previous provisions that addressed the 
``U.S. business'' element of the ``covered transaction'' definition. In 
particular, this paragraph elaborates upon the provision in the 
``entity'' definition that an entity, and therefore a U.S. business, 
may involve the acquisition of assets of an entity, provided that those 
assets are bound together in a sufficiently cohesive relationship such 
that they themselves could be readily operated as a separate, stand-
alone business.
    Section 800.401. The procedures for voluntary notice have been 
expanded to make explicit the opportunity for interaction between CFIUS 
and the parties to a transaction before a notice is formally filed. 
After two decades of experience implementing section 721, CFIUS 
believes that the review process is most effective and efficient when a 
notice provides CFIUS with full information regarding a transaction, 
rather than requiring CFIUS to ask for additional information after the 
notice is filed. This experience is the reason for the additions to 
this section and section 800.402, which lays out the required contents 
of voluntary notice. In particular, with regard to the procedures for 
notice, CFIUS encourages parties to consult with CFIUS prior to filing 
a notice. Information provided to CFIUS as part of a pre-notice 
consultation becomes part of the formal notice and is accorded the 
confidentiality protections of section 721(c). This gives CFIUS an 
opportunity to understand the transaction, and to suggest information 
that the parties should include in their notice, thereby helping CFIUS 
resolve any national security issues as efficiently as possible. These 
new provisions also make clear the circumstances under which CFIUS may 
contact parties that have not yet filed a notice, and request that they 
provide information to help CFIUS determine whether a filing may be 
appropriate.
    Section 800.402. This section, which describes the information that 
must be included in a voluntary notice to CFIUS, is expanded to require 
additional data that CFIUS routinely has requested of parties. 
Information submitted to CFIUS in connection with a voluntary notice is 
entitled to confidentiality under section 800.702, and is exempt from 
disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552.
    Paragraph (a) has been revised to make clear that a voluntary 
notice will not be considered complete if any required information is 
missing. However, in the case of a hostile takeover where a voluntary 
notice is filed by fewer than all of the parties to a transaction, 
paragraph (b) provides that CFIUS may accept an otherwise complete 
notice that does not provide complete information on each non-notifying 
party, so long as it provides the portion of that information that is 
known or reasonably available to the notifying parties. (See also Sec.  
800.403(b), providing that the Staff Chairperson may require the 
parties to provide certain information pertaining to the transaction 
within seven days of the Staff Chairperson's request for such 
information.)
    Paragraph (c) specifies the details relating to the transaction 
that must be described in a voluntary notice. While the regulations 
previously required parties to submit many of these details in 
voluntary notices, some specified in paragraph (c) are newly required. 
These include, for example, additional information regarding ultimate 
and intermediate parents of the foreign person making the acquisition; 
transaction value information; identification of other persons with a 
role in the transactions; additional information regarding contracts 
with and goods supplied directly or indirectly to the government; 
additional product information; identification of any special 
government rights over the foreign person making the acquisition; 
description of any agreements among foreign persons to act in concert 
with respect to parties to the transaction; and personal identifier 
information for certain key personnel. Subparagraph (c)(ii) requires 
that the notice include certain export-control related information, 
including the identification of emergent technologies that may be 
designated or determined to be covered by the United States Munitions 
List, which is set forth in the International Traffic in Arms 
Regulations (22 CFR parts 120 through 130), and therefore be critical 
technologies, as defined in section 800.208(a).
    Other paragraphs in this section contain new informational 
requirements for parties filing voluntary notices. These include 
paragraph (j), which requires an organization chart showing the 
relationship between the foreign person making the acquisition and its 
parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries; and paragraph (k), which 
requires the parties to indicate whether either party has been involved 
previously in a transaction notified to CFIUS, and whether either party 
is a party to a mitigation agreement entered into under section 721. 
Paragraph (j) also requires the parties to provide a full statement of 
their view as to whether (1) the acquirer is controlled by a foreign 
government, (2) the acquirer is a foreign person, and (3) the 
transaction will result in foreign control of a U.S. person.
    Paragraph (i), which requires the provision of the purchase 
agreement or other similar documents establishing the terms of the 
agreement, has been revised to reflect that such documents must reflect 
terms as to which there is an actual agreement between the parties, 
particularly with respect to matters relating to post-closing control 
and governance. CFIUS reserves the right to reject a voluntary notice 
in cases in which the deal terms regarding such matters are undecided.
    Section 800.403. It is CFIUS's expectation that, in light of the 
added questions pertaining to the contents of voluntary notice (see 
Sec.  800.402), the need to request follow-up information from the 
parties will be reduced. However, in cases where CFIUS requests follow-
up information, such information must be provided promptly. This 
section makes clear that a party's failure to provide promptly any 
follow-up information requested by CFIUS is grounds for rejecting the 
notice. If such information cannot be provided within two business days 
of CFIUS's request, the parties should request an extension of time in 
writing.
    Section 800.501. A new paragraph (c) has been added to this section 
to clarify the Chairperson's role in overseeing the secretariat 
function for CFIUS. Parties contemplating filing notices or that have 
filed notices should therefore work with the Staff Chairperson, who may 
arrange

[[Page 21867]]

contacts or meetings with other member agencies as appropriate.
    Section 800.502. Provisions on commencing review (which were 
previously in section 800.404 of subpart D) have been consolidated with 
provisions regarding the beginning of the 30-day review period in 
section 800.502. The proposed regulations also provide that the 30-day 
review period will commence on the next business day after the Staff 
Chairperson has determined that the notice is complete and has 
disseminated the notice to all CIFUS members, which the Staff 
Chairperson is required to do promptly.
    Section 800.503. This section now specifies the triggers for 
commencing an investigation, which are drawn from FINSA and Executive 
Order 11858, as amended.
    Section 800.506. Executive Order 11858, as amended, specifies the 
circumstances under which CFIUS will forward a transaction to the 
President for a final decision. This section repeats these 
requirements. In all other cases, where CFIUS concludes deliberative 
action without referring the matter to the President, the Department of 
the Treasury will send written advice to the parties of the 
determination to conclude action under section 721. When the President 
makes the final decision on a transaction, FINSA requires that that 
decision be announced publicly.
    Section 800.507. As under the prior regulations, parties may 
request that their notices be withdrawn from CFIUS consideration at any 
time prior to the conclusion of all deliberative action under section 
721. However, section 800.507 incorporates the new procedures that 
FINSA requires CFIUS to follow with regard to withdrawn transactions, 
including tracking of withdrawn transactions and the establishment of 
interim protections, as appropriate, to address national security 
concerns.
    Section 800.508. FINSA requires that the regulations provide for an 
appropriate role for the Secretary of Labor with respect to mitigation 
agreements. Under the proposed regulations, the Secretary of Labor will 
identify for CFIUS any risk mitigation provisions proposed to or by 
CFIUS that would violate U.S. labor laws.
    Section 800.601. This section has been substantially shortened to 
delete provisions pertaining to the President's authority that are not 
necessary to include in regulation because they are already addressed 
in FINSA.
    Section 800.701. FINSA includes an important provision that 
requires each notifying party to certify in writing that the 
information it provides to CFIUS is complete and accurate as it relates 
to itself and the transaction. This requirement pertains both to the 
information in the voluntary notice (see Sec.  800.402(k)) and to 
follow-up information. CFIUS may consider a party's failure to provide 
a certification with regard to follow-up information to be a material 
omission. (See Sec.  800.601(e).)
    Section 800.702. The confidentiality protections have been 
clarified to emphasize that they apply to information provided to CFIUS 
during the course of a withdrawal or with regard to a notice that is 
rejected under section 800.403. (As noted in Sec.  800.401(f), 
information provided during the course of pre-notice consultations is 
also protected by the confidentiality provisions of section 721(c) and 
this section of the regulations.) In addition, paragraph (c) makes 
clear that the Chairperson's public statements may reflect information 
that the parties to the transaction have already themselves publicly 
disclosed.
    Section 800.801. This new section implements the FINSA requirement 
that the regulations provide for the imposition of civil penalties for 
any violation of section 721, including a violation of any mitigation 
agreement entered into or conditions subsequent imposed pursuant to 
section 721(l). This section extends civil monetary penalties to 
transactions entered into on or after the effective date of FINSA, 
October 24, 2007. In addition, paragraph (c) authorizes CFIUS to 
include in any mitigation agreement described in section 721(l) a 
liquidated damages provision tied to the harm to the national security 
that could result from a breach.
Executive Order 12866
    These regulations are not subject to the requirements of Executive 
Order 12866 because they relate to a foreign and military affairs 
function of the United States.
Paperwork Reduction Act
    The collection of information contained in this notice of proposed 
rulemaking (in particular, sections 800.401 and 800.402) have been 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3507(d)). Comments on the collection of information should be sent to 
the Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Treasury, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, with copies to Nova Daly, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220. Comments on the collection of 
information should be received by June 23, 2008.
    In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), the Department is soliciting 
comments from members of the public concerning this collection of 
information to:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    The burden of the information collections in this proposed rule is 
estimated as follows:
    Estimated total annual reporting and/or recordkeeping burden: 1200 
hours.
    Estimated average annual burden per respondent: 100 hours.
    Estimated number of respondents: 120 per year.
    Estimated annual frequency of responses: Not applicable.
    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, an agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 
information unless it displays a valid control number assigned by the 
Office of Management and Budget.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility 
analysis unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The RFA applies when an agency is required to publish a general notice 
of proposed rulemaking under section 553(b) of the Administrative 
Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b)), or any other law. As set forth below, 
because regulations issued pursuant to the Defense Production Act of 
1950 (50 U.S.C. App 2170) are not subject to the Administrative 
Procedure Act, or other law requiring the publication of a general 
notice of proposed rulemaking, the RFA does not apply.

[[Page 21868]]

    This regulation implements Section 721 of the DPA. Section 709 of 
the DPA (50 U.S.C. App. 2159 as amended by section 136 of the Defense 
Production Act Amendments of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-558)), provides that the 
regulations issued under it are not subject to the rulemaking 
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. Section 709 of the 
DPA instead provides that any regulation issued under the DPA be 
published in the Federal Register and opportunity for public comment be 
provided for not less than 30 days. (Similarly, FINSA requires the 
President to direct the issuance of implementing regulations subject to 
notice and comment.) Section 709 of the DPA also provides that all 
comments received during the public comment period be considered and 
the publication of the final regulation contain written responses to 
such comments. Legislative history demonstrates that Congress intended 
that regulations under the DPA be exempt from the notice and comment 
provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and instead provided 
that the agency include a statement that interested parties were 
consulted in the formulation of the regulation (see H.R. Conf. Rep. 
102-1028 and H.R. Rep. 102-208(II)). The limited public participation 
procedures described in the DPA do not require a general notice of 
proposed rulemaking as set forth in the RFA. Further, the mechanism for 
publication and public participation is sufficiently different to 
distinguish the DPA procedures from a rule that requires a general 
notice of proposed rulemaking. Moreover, in explaining the DPA 
amendments in 1992, Congress expressed its concerns about the potential 
threat to our national security preparedness posed by foreign 
domination of key dual use technologies. In providing the President 
with the authority to suspend or prohibit the acquisition, merger, or 
takeover of a domestic firm by a foreign firm if such action would 
threaten to impair the national security, Congress could not have 
contemplated that regulations implementing such authority would be 
subject to RFA analysis. For these reasons, the RFA does not apply to 
these regulations.
    Notwithstanding the inapplicability of the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, we certify that this rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. These regulations 
provide for a voluntary system of notification, and historically less 
than ten percent of all foreign acquisitions of U.S. businesses are 
notified to CFIUS. Typically, some of the notices filed with CFIUS 
concern U.S. companies that would qualify as small entities. It is 
estimated that an average filing requires about 100 hours of 
preparation time. Based on the number of filings in 2007 and the number 
filed thus far in 2008, it is estimated that an average of 120 notices 
can be expected annually over the next few years. Of these notices, it 
is unlikely that more than 12 will be subject to protracted 
investigation or a mitigation agreement. As such, a substantial number 
of entities are not impacted by these rules regardless of their size. 
We also note that these proposed regulations, to a substantial degree, 
merely provide a detailed explanation of the current burdens of 
complying with CFIUS procedures and do not impose significant new 
burdens on entities subject to CFIUS.

List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 800

    Foreign investments in United States, Investigations, National 
defense, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Accordingly, under the authority at 50 U.S.C. Appendix 2170(h), for 
the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of the Treasury 
proposes to amend 31 CFR chapter VIII as follows:

Chapter VIII--Office of Investment Security, Department of the Treasury

    1. The heading for chapter VIII is revised to read as set forth 
above.
    2. Part 800 is revised to read as follows:

PART 800--REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS, AND 
TAKEOVERS BY FOREIGN PERSONS

Subpart A--General
Sec.
800.101 Scope.
800.102 Effect on other laws.
800.103 Applicability.
800.104 Transactions or devices for avoidance.
Subpart B--Definitions
800.201 Certification.
800.202 Committee; Chairperson of the Committee; Staff Chairperson.
800.203 Control.
800.204 Conversion.
800.205 Convertible voting instrument.
800.206 Covered transaction.
800.207 Critical infrastructure.
800.208 Critical technologies.
800.209 Duly authorized designee.
800.210 Effective date.
800.211 Entity.
800.212 Foreign entity.
800.213 Foreign government.
800.214 Foreign government-controlled transaction.
800.215 Foreign national.
800.216 Foreign person.
800.217 Hold.
800.218 Lead agency.
800.219 Parent.
800.220 Party or parties to a transaction.
800.221 Person.
800.222 Section 721.
800.223 Solely for the purpose of investment.
800.224 Transaction.
800.225 United States.
800.226 U.S. national.
800.227 U.S. business.
800.228 Voting interests.
Subpart C--Coverage
800.301 Transactions that are covered transactions.
800.302 Transactions that are not covered transactions.
800.303 Lending transactions.
Subpart D--Notice
800.401 Procedures for notice.
800.402 Contents of voluntary notice.
800.403 Deferral, rejection, or disposition of certain voluntary 
notices.
Subpart E--Committee Procedures: Review and Investigation
800.501 General.
800.502 Beginning of thirty-day review period.
800.503 Determination of whether to undertake an investigation.
800.504 Determination not to undertake an investigation.
800.505 Commencement of investigation.
800.506 Completion or termination of investigation and report to the 
President.
800.507 Withdrawal of notice.
800.508 Role of the Secretary of Labor.
Subpart F--Presidential Action
800.601 Finality of actions under section 721.
Subpart G--Provision and Handling of Information
800.701 Obligation of parties to provide information.
800.702 Confidentiality.
Subpart H--Penalties
800.801 Penalties.
Appendix to Part 800--Preamble to Regulations on Mergers, 
Acquisitions, and Takeovers by Foreign Persons (Published [date to 
be determined], 2008.)

    Authority: Section 721 of Pub. L. 100-418, 102 Stat. 1107, made 
permanent law by section 8 of Pub. L. 102-99, 105 Stat. 487 (50 
U.S.C. App. 2170) and amended by section 837 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, Pub. L. 102-484, 106 Stat. 
2315, 2463; E.O. 12661, 54 FR 779, 3 CFR, 1988 Comp., p. 618, and 
Pub. L. 110-49, 121 Stat. 246 (the Foreign Investment and National 
Security Act of 2007).

Subpart A--General


Sec.  800.101  Scope.

    The regulations in this part implement section 721 of title VII of 
the

[[Page 21869]]

Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, hereinafter referred to as 
``section 721'' (see Sec.  800.222). The definitions in this part are 
applicable to section 721 and these regulations. The principal purpose 
of section 721 is to authorize the President to suspend or prohibit any 
covered transaction when, in the President's judgment, there is 
credible evidence to believe that the foreign person exercising control 
over a U.S. business (as defined in these regulations at Sec.  800.227) 
might take action that threatens to impair the national security, and 
provisions of law other than section 721 and the International 
Emergency Economic Powers Act, do not, in the President's judgment, 
provide adequate and appropriate authority for the President to protect 
the national security in the matter before the President. It is also a 
purpose of section 721 to authorize the Committee to mitigate any 
threat to the national security of the United States that arises as a 
result of a covered transaction.


Sec.  800.102  Effect on other laws.

    Nothing in this part shall be construed to alter or affect any 
existing power, process, regulation, investigation, enforcement 
measure, or review provided by any other provision of law.


Sec.  800.103  Applicability.

    Section 721 and the regulations in this part apply to transactions 
proposed or pending on or after the effective date (as defined in Sec.  
800.210).


Sec.  800.104   Transactions or devices for avoidance.

    Any transaction or other device entered into or employed for the 
purpose of avoiding section 721 shall be disregarded, and section 721 
and the regulations in this part shall be applied to the substance of 
the transaction.

    Example.Corporation A is organized under the laws of a foreign 
state and is wholly owned and controlled by a foreign national. With 
a view towards avoiding possible application of section 721, 
Corporation A transfers money to a U.S. citizen, who, pursuant to 
informal arrangements with Corporation A and on its behalf, 
purchases all the shares in Corporation X, a U.S. business. That 
transaction is subject to section 721.

Subpart B--Definitions


Sec.  800.201   Certification.

    The term certification means a written statement signed by the 
chief executive officer or other duly authorized designee of a party to 
a transaction filing a notice or information, certifying that the 
notice or information filed:
    (a) fully complies with the requirements of section 721, the 
regulations in this part, and any agreement or condition entered into 
with the Committee or any member of the Committee, and
    (b) Is accurate and complete in all material respects, as it 
relates to:
    (1) The transaction, and
    (2) The party providing the certification, including its parents, 
subsidiaries, and any other related entities described in the notice or 
information.
    A sample certification may be found at the Committee's section of 
the Department of the Treasury Web site at http://www.treas.gov/offices/international-affairs/cfius/index.shtml.


Sec.  800.202  Committee; Chairperson of the Committee; Staff 
Chairperson.

    The term Committee means the Committee on Foreign Investment in the 
United States. The Chairperson of the Committee is the Secretary of the 
Treasury. The Staff Chairperson of the Committee is the Department of 
the Treasury official so designated by the Secretary of the Treasury or 
by the Secretary's designee.


Sec.  800.203  Control.

    (a) The term control means the power, direct or indirect, whether 
or not exercised, through the ownership of a majority or a dominant 
minority of the total outstanding voting interest in an entity, board 
representation, proxy voting, a special share, contractual 
arrangements, formal or informal arrangements to act in concert, or 
other means, to determine, direct, or decide important matters 
affecting an entity; in particular, but without limitation, to 
determine, direct, take, reach, or cause decisions regarding the 
following matters, or any other similarly important matters affecting 
an entity:
    (1) The sale, lease, mortgage, pledge, or other transfer of any of 
the tangible or intangible principal assets of the entity, whether or 
not in the ordinary course of business;
    (2) The reorganization, merger, or dissolution of the entity;
    (3) The closing, relocation, or substantial alteration of the 
production, operational, or research and development facilities of the 
entity;
    (4) Major expenditures or investments, issuances of equity or debt, 
or dividend payments by the entity, or approval of the operating budget 
of the entity;
    (5) The selection of new business lines or ventures that the entity 
will pursue;
    (6) The entry into, termination, or non-fulfillment by the entity 
of significant contracts;
    (7) The policies or procedures of the entity governing the 
treatment of non-public technical, financial, or other proprietary 
information of the entity;
    (8) The appointment or dismissal of officers or senior managers;
    (9) The appointment or dismissal of employees with access to 
sensitive technology or classified U.S. Government information; or
    (10) The amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, constituent 
agreement, or other organizational documents of the entity with respect 
to the matters described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (9) of this 
section.
    (b) In examining questions of control in situations where more than 
one foreign person has an ownership interest in an entity, 
consideration will be given to factors such as whether the foreign 
persons are related or have formal or informal arrangements to act in 
concert, whether they are agencies or instrumentalities of the national 
or subnational governments of a single foreign state, and whether a 
given foreign person and another person that has an ownership interest 
in the entity are both controlled by any of the national or subnational 
governments of a single foreign state.
    (c) The following minority shareholder protections shall not in 
themselves be deemed to confer control over an entity:
    (1) The power to prevent the sale or pledge of all or substantially 
all of the assets of an entity;
    (2) The power to prevent an entity from entering into contracts 
with majority investors or their affiliates;
    (3) The power to prevent an entity from guaranteeing the 
obligations of majority investors or their affiliates;
    (4) The power to purchase additional shares to prevent the dilution 
of an investor's pro rata interest in an entity in the event that the 
entity issues additional interests; or
    (5) The power to prevent the amendment of the Articles of 
Incorporation, constituent agreement, or other organizational documents 
of an entity with respect to the matters described in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (4) of this section.
    (d) The Committee will consider, on a case-by-case basis, whether 
minority shareholder protections other than those listed in paragraph 
(c) of this section do not confer control over an entity.

    Example 1. Corporation A is a U.S. business. A U.S. investor 
owns 50 percent of the voting interest in Corporation A, and the 
remaining voting interest is owned in equal

[[Page 21870]]

shares by five unrelated foreign investors. The foreign investors 
jointly financed their investment in Corporation A and vote as a 
single block on matters affecting Corporation A. The foreign 
investors have an informal arrangement to act in concert with regard 
to Corporation A, and, as a result, the foreign investors control 
Corporation A.
    Example 2. Same facts as in Example 1 with regard to the 
composition of Corporation A's shareholders. The foreign investors 
in Corporation A have no contractual or other commitments to act in 
concert, and have no informal arrangements to do so. Assuming no 
other relevant facts, the foreign investors do not control 
Corporation A.
    Example 3. Corporation A, a foreign person, is a private equity 
fund that routinely acquires substantial interests in companies and 
manages them for a period of time. Corporation B is a U.S. business. 
In addition to its acquisition of seven percent of Corporation B's 
voting shares, Corporation A acquires the right to terminate 
significant contracts of Corporation B. Corporation A controls 
Corporation B.
    Example 4. Corporation A, a foreign person, is acquiring a nine 
percent interest in the shares of Corporation B, a U.S. business. As 
part of the transaction, Corporation A is also acquiring certain 
veto rights that determine important matters affecting Corporation 
B, including the right to veto the dismissal of senior executives of 
Corporation B. Corporation A controls Corporation B.
    Example 5. Corporation A, a foreign person, acquires an 11 
percent interest in the shares of Corporation B, a U.S. business. 
Under a minority shareholder protection agreement, Corporation A 
receives the right to participate pro rata in future share issuances 
to prevent dilution of its percentage interest. Corporation A 
receives no other positive or negative rights with respect to 
Corporation B. Assuming no other relevant facts, Corporation A does 
not control Corporation B.

    Note to Sec.  800.203: See Sec.  800.302(c) regarding the 
Committee's treatment of cases where a foreign person acquires 10 
percent or less of the outstanding voting interests in a U.S. 
business solely for the purpose of investment.

Sec.  800.204  Conversion.

    The term conversion means the exercise of a right inherent in the 
ownership or holding of particular financial instruments to exchange 
any such instruments for voting instruments.


Sec.  800.205  Convertible voting instrument.

    The term convertible voting instrument means a financial instrument 
that currently does not entitle its owner or holder to voting rights 
but is convertible into a voting instrument.


Sec.  800.206   Covered transaction.

    The term covered transaction means any transaction that is proposed 
or pending after the effective date by or with any foreign person, 
which could result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign person.


Sec.  800.207  Critical infrastructure.

    The term critical infrastructure means, in the context of a 
particular covered transaction, systems and assets, whether physical or 
virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or 
destruction of the particular systems or assets of the entity over 
which control is acquired pursuant to that covered transaction would 
have a debilitating impact on national security.


Sec.  800.208  Critical technologies.

    The term critical technologies means:
    (a) Defense articles or defense services covered by the United 
States Munitions List (USML), which is set forth in the International 
Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR parts 120-130);
    (b) Those items specified on the Commerce Control List (CCL) set 
forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the Export Administration 
Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR parts 730-774) that are controlled pursuant 
to multilateral regimes (i.e., for reasons of national security, 
chemical and biological weapons proliferation, nuclear 
nonproliferation, or missile technology), as well as those that are 
controlled for reasons of regional stability or surreptitious 
listening;
    (c) Specially designed and prepared nuclear equipment, parts and 
components, materials software and technology specified in the 
Assistance to Foreign Energy Activities regulations (10 CFR part 810), 
and nuclear facilities, equipment, and material specified in the Export 
and Import of Nuclear Equipment and Materials regulations (10 CFR part 
110); and
    (d) Select agents and toxins specified in the Export and Import of 
Select Agents and Toxins regulations (7 CFR part 331, 9 CFR part 121, 
and 42 CFR part 73).


Sec.  800.209  Duly authorized designee.

    (a) The term duly authorized designee means:
    (1) In the case of a partnership, any general partner thereof;
    (2) In the case of a corporation, any officer or director thereof;
    (3) In the case of an entity lacking officers, directors, or 
partners, any individual within the organization exercising similar 
executive functions; and
    (4) In the case of an individual, such individual.
    (b) In each case described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of 
this section, such designee must possess actual authority to make the 
relevant certification on behalf of the person filing a notice or 
information.


Sec.  800.210  Effective date.

    The term effective date means August 23, 1988, the date section 721 
became effective.


Sec.  800.211  Entity.

    The term entity means any branch, partnership, group or sub-group, 
association, estate, trust, corporation or division of a corporation, 
or organization (whether or not organized under the laws of any State); 
assets operated by any one of the foregoing as a business undertaking 
in a particular location or for particular products or services, even 
though those assets may not be organized as a separate legal entity; 
and any government (including a foreign national or subnational 
government, the United States Government, a subnational government 
within the United States, and any agency, corporation, financial 
institution, or other entity or instrumentality thereof, including a 
government sponsored agency).


Sec.  800.212  Foreign entity.

    The term foreign entity means:
    (a) A public company organized under the laws of a foreign state 
whose equity securities are primarily traded on one or more foreign 
exchanges; or
    (b) Any other entity organized under the laws of a foreign state in 
which foreign nationals hold, directly or indirectly, at least 50 
percent of the outstanding ownership interest in an entity.


Sec.  800.213  Foreign government.

    The term foreign government means any government or body exercising 
governmental functions, other than the government of the United States, 
a State of the United States, or a political subdivision of the United 
States or a State. The term includes, but is not limited to, national 
and subnational governments, including their respective departments, 
agencies, and instrumentalities, as well as individuals acting as non-
elected heads of state with governmental responsibilities.


Sec.  800.214  Foreign government-controlled transaction.

    The term foreign government-controlled transaction means any 
covered transaction that could result in control of a U.S. business by 
a foreign government or a person controlled by or acting on behalf of a 
foreign government.

[[Page 21871]]

Sec.  800.215  Foreign national.

    The term foreign national means any individual other than a U.S. 
national.


Sec.  800.216  Foreign person.

    The term foreign person means:
    (a) Any foreign national, foreign government, or foreign entity; or
    (b) Any entity over which control is exercised or exercisable by a 
foreign national, foreign government, or foreign entity.

    Example 1. Corporation A is organized under the laws of a 
foreign state and is only engaged in business outside the United 
States. All of its shares are held by Corporation X, which controls 
Corporation A. Corporation X is organized in the United States, and 
is wholly owned and controlled by U.S. nationals. Assuming no other 
relevant facts, Corporation A, although organized and only operating 
outside the United States, is not a foreign person.
    Example 2. Same facts as in the first sentence of Example 1. The 
foreign state under whose laws Corporation A is organized exercises 
control over Corporation A, through government interveners. 
Corporation A is a foreign person.
    Example 3. Corporation A is organized in the United States, is 
engaged in interstate commerce in the United States, and is 
controlled by Corporation X. Corporation X is organized under the 
laws of a foreign state, and 50 percent of its shares are held by 
foreign nationals and 50 percent of its shares are held by U.S. 
nationals. Both Corporation A and Corporation X are foreign persons. 
Corporation A is also a U.S. business.
    Example 4. Corporation A is organized under the laws of a 
foreign state and is owned and controlled by a foreign national. 
Through a branch, Corporation A engages in interstate commerce in 
the United States. Corporation A (including its branch) is a foreign 
person. The branch also is a U.S. business.
    Example 5. Corporation A is a corporation organized under the 
laws of a foreign state. Forty-five percent of the voting interests 
in Corporation A are owned in equal shares by numerous unrelated 
foreign investors, none of whom has control. The foreign investors 
have no formal or informal arrangement, with regard to Corporation 
A, to act in concert with any other holder of voting interests in 
Corporation A. The remainder of the voting interests in Corporation 
A is held by U.S. investors. Assuming no other relevant facts, 
Corporation A is not a foreign person.
    Example 6. Same facts as Example 5, except that foreign 
investors own 55 percent of the voting interests in Corporation A. 
Assuming no other relevant facts, Corporation A is a foreign entity 
and, therefore, a foreign person.


Sec.  800.217  Hold.

    The terms hold(s) and holding mean legal or beneficial ownership, 
whether direct or indirect, through fiduciaries, agents, or other 
means.


Sec.  800.218  Lead agency.

    The term lead agency means an agency designated by the Chairperson 
of the Committee to have primary responsibility, on behalf of the 
Committee, for the specific activity for which the Chairperson 
designates it a lead agency, including all or a portion of a review, 
investigation, or negotiation or monitoring of mitigation agreements or 
conditions.


Sec.  800.219  Parent.

    (a) The term parent means a person who or which directly or 
indirectly:
    (1) Holds or will hold at least 50 percent of the outstanding 
voting interest in an entity; or
    (2) Holds or will hold the right to at least 50 percent of the 
profits of an entity, or has or will have the right in the event of the 
dissolution to at least 50 percent of the assets of that entity.
    (b) Any entity that meets the conditions of paragraphs (a)(1) or 
(2) of this section with respect to another entity (i.e., an 
intermediate parent) is also a parent of any other entity of which the 
intermediate parent is a parent.

    Example 1. Corporation P holds 50 percent of the voting 
securities of Corporations R and S. Corporation R holds 40 percent 
of the voting securities of Corporation X; Corporation S holds 50 
percent of the voting securities of Corporation Y, which in turn 
holds 50 percent of the voting securities of Corporation Z. 
Corporation P is a parent of Corporations R, S, Y and Z, but not of 
Corporation X. Corporation S is a parent of Corporations Y and Z, 
and Corporation Y is a parent of Corporation Z.
    Example 2. Corporation A holds warrants, exercisable at its sole 
discretion, which when exercised will entitle it to vote 50 percent 
of the outstanding shares of Corporation B. Corporation A is a 
parent of Corporation B.


Sec.  800.220  Party or parties to a transaction.

    The terms party to a transaction and parties to a transaction mean:
    (a) In the case of an acquisition of an ownership interest in an 
entity, the person acquiring the ownership interest, and the person 
from which such ownership interest is acquired, without regard to any 
person providing brokerage or underwriting services for the 
transaction;
    (b) In the case of a merger, the surviving entity, and the entity 
or entities that are merged into that entity as a result of the 
transaction;
    (c) In the case of a consolidation, the entities being 
consolidated, and the new consolidated entity;
    (d) In the case of a proxy solicitation, the person soliciting 
proxies, and the person who issued the voting interest;
    (e) In the case of the conversion of convertible voting 
instruments, the issuer and the person holding the convertible voting 
instruments; and
    (f) In the case of any other type of transaction, any person who is 
in a role comparable to that of a person described in paragraphs (a) 
through (e) of this section.


Sec.  800.221   Person.

    The term person means any individual or entity.


Sec.  800.222   Section 721.

    The term section 721 means section 721 of title VII of the Defense 
Production Act of 1950, 50 U.S.C. App. 2170, as added by section 5021 
of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100-418, 
102 Stat. 1107, and as amended by Pub. L. 102-484, 106 Stat. 2463, and 
the Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007, Public Law 
110-49, 121 Stat. 246.


Sec.  800.223   Solely for the purpose of investment.

    Ownership interests are held or acquired ``solely for the purpose 
of investment'' if the person holding or acquiring such interests has 
no plans or intention of exercising control, does not possess or 
develop any purpose other than investment, and does not take any action 
inconsistent with acquiring or holding such interests solely for the 
purpose of investment. (See Sec.  800.302(c).)


Sec.  800.224   Transaction.

    The term transaction means a proposed or consummated merger, 
acquisition, or takeover. It includes:
    (a) The acquisition of an ownership interest in an entity.
    (b) The acquisition or conversion of convertible voting instruments 
of an entity.
    (c) The acquisition of proxies from holders of a voting interest in 
an entity.
    (d) A merger or consolidation.
    (e) The formation of a joint venture.
    (f) A long-term lease under which a lessee makes substantially all 
business decisions concerning the operation of a leased entity, as if 
it were the owner.

    Example. Corporation A, a foreign person, signs a concession 
agreement to operate the toll road business of Corporation B, a U.S. 
business, for 99 years. However, Corporation B is required under the 
agreement to perform safety and security functions with respect to 
the business and to monitor compliance by Corporation A with the 
operating requirements of the agreement on an ongoing basis. 
Corporation B may terminate the agreement or impose other penalties 
for breach of these operating requirements. Assuming no other 
relevant facts, this is not a transaction.

[[Page 21872]]

Sec.  800.225   United States.

    The term United States or U.S. means the United States of America, 
the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any 
commonwealth, territory, dependency, or possession of the United 
States, or any subdivision of the foregoing, and includes the Outer 
Continental Shelf, as defined in section 2(a) of the Outer Continental 
Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1131(a)). For purposes of these regulations 
and their examples, an entity organized under the laws of the United 
States of America, one of the States, the District of Columbia, or a 
commonwealth, territory, dependency or possession of the United States, 
is an entity organized ``in the United States.''


Sec.  800.226   U.S. national.

    The term U.S. national means a citizen of the United States or an 
individual who, although not a citizen of the United States, owes 
permanent allegiance to the United States.


Sec.  800.227   U.S. business.

    The term U.S. business means any entity, irrespective of the 
nationality of the persons that control it, engaged in interstate 
commerce in the United States, but only to the extent of its activities 
in interstate commerce.

    Example 1. Corporation A is organized under the laws of a 
foreign state and is wholly owned and controlled by a foreign 
national. It engages in interstate commerce in the United States 
through a branch or subsidiary. Its branch or subsidiary is a U.S. 
business. Each is also a foreign person for purposes of acquiring a 
U.S. business.
    Example 2. Same facts as in the first sentence of Example 1. 
Corporation A, however, does not have a branch office, subsidiary or 
fixed place of business in the United States. It exports and 
licenses technology to an unrelated company in the United States. 
Assuming no other relevant facts, Corporation A is not a U.S. 
business.
    Example 3. Corporation A, a company organized under the laws of 
a foreign state, is wholly owned and controlled by Corporation X. 
Corporation X is organized in the United States and is wholly owned 
and controlled by U.S. nationals. Corporation A does not have a 
branch office, subsidiary, or fixed place of business in the United 
States. It exports goods to Corporation X and to unrelated companies 
in the United States. Assuming no other relevant facts, Corporation 
A is not a U.S. business.


Sec.  800.228   Voting interests.

    The term voting interests means any interests in an entity that 
entitle the owner or holder thereof to vote for the election of 
directors of the entity (or, with respect to unincorporated entities, 
individuals exercising similar functions) or to vote on other matters 
affecting the entity.

Subpart C--Coverage


Sec.  800.301   Transactions that are covered transactions.

    Transactions that are covered transactions include, without 
limitation:
    (a) A transaction which, irrespective of the actual arrangements 
for control provided for in the terms of the transaction, results or 
could result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign person.

    Example 1. Corporation A, a foreign person, proposes to purchase 
all the shares of Corporation X, which is a U.S. business. As the 
sole owner, Corporation A will have the right to elect directors and 
appoint other primary officers of Corporation X, and those directors 
will have the right to make decisions about the closing and 
relocation of particular production facilities, and the termination 
of significant contracts. The directors also will have the right to 
propose to Corporation A, the sole shareholder, the dissolution of 
Corporation X and the sale of its principal assets. The proposed 
transaction is a covered transaction.
    Example 2. Same facts as in Example 1, except that Corporation A 
plans to retain the existing directors of Corporation X, all of whom 
are U.S. nationals. Although Corporation A may choose not to 
exercise its power to elect new directors for Corporation X, 
Corporation A nevertheless retains that exercisable power. The 
proposed transaction is a covered transaction.
    Example 3. Corporation A, a foreign person, proposes to purchase 
50 percent of the shares in Corporation X, a U.S. business, from 
Corporation B, also a U.S. business. Corporation B would retain the 
other 50 percent of the shares in Corporation X, and Corporation A 
and Corporation B would contractually agree that Corporation A would 
not exercise its voting and other rights for ten years. The proposed 
transaction is a covered transaction.

    (b) A transaction in which a foreign person conveys its control of 
a U.S. business to another foreign person.

    Example. Corporation X is a U.S. business, but is wholly owned 
and controlled by Corporation Y, a foreign person. Corporation Z, 
also a foreign person, but not related to Corporation Y, seeks to 
acquire Corporation X from Corporation Y. The proposed transaction 
is a covered transaction because it could result in control of 
Corporation X, a U.S. business in this context, by another foreign 
person, Corporation Z.

    (c) A transaction that results or could result in control by a 
foreign person of assets that constitute a U.S. business. (See Sec.  
800.302(d).)

    Example 1. Corporation A, a foreign person, proposes to buy a 
branch office in the United States of Corporation X, which is a 
foreign person. Corporation X is a U.S. business to the extent of 
its branch office in the United States. The proposed transaction is 
a covered transaction.
    Example 2. Corporation A, a foreign person, buys a branch office 
located entirely outside the United States of Corporation Y, which 
is incorporated in the United States. Assuming no other relevant 
facts, the branch office of Corporation Y is not a U.S. business, 
and the transaction is not a covered transaction.
    Example 3. Corporation A, a foreign person, makes a start-up, or 
``greenfield,'' investment in the United States. That investment 
involves such activities as separately arranging for the financing 
of and the construction of a plant to make a new product, buying 
supplies and inputs, hiring personnel and purchasing the necessary 
technology. The investment may involve the acquisition of shares in 
a newly incorporated subsidiary. Assuming no other relevant facts, 
Corporation A will not have acquired a U.S. business, and its 
greenfield investment is not a covered transaction.
    Example 4. Corporation A, a foreign person, purchases 
substantially all the assets of Corporation B. Corporation B, which 
is incorporated in the United States, was in the business of 
producing industrial equipment, but stopped producing and selling 
such equipment one week before Corporation A purchased substantially 
all of its assets. At the time of the transaction, Corporation B 
continued to have employees on its payroll, maintained know-how in 
producing the industrial equipment it previously produced, and 
maintained relationships with its prior customers, all of which were 
transferred to Corporation A. The acquisition of substantially all 
of the assets of Corporation B by Corporation A is a covered 
transaction.
    Example 5. Corporation A, a foreign person, owns businesses both 
outside the United States and in the United States. Corporation B, a 
foreign person, acquires Corporation A. The acquisition of 
Corporation A by Corporation B is a covered transaction with respect 
to Corporation A's businesses in the United States.
    Example 6. Corporation X, a foreign person, seeks to acquire 
from Corporation A, a U.S. business, an empty warehouse facility 
located in the United States. The acquisition would be limited to 
the physical facility, and would not include customer lists, 
intellectual property, or other proprietary information, or other 
intangible assets or the transfer of personnel. Assuming no other 
relevant facts, the facility is not an entity and therefore not a 
U.S. business, and the proposed acquisition of the facility is not a 
covered transaction.
    Example 7. Same facts as Example 6, except that, in addition to 
the proposed acquisition of Corporation A's warehouse facility, 
Corporation X would acquire the personnel, customer list, equipment, 
and inventory management software used to operate the facility. 
Under these facts, Corporation X is acquiring a U.S. business, and 
the proposed acquisition is a covered transaction.

    (d) A joint venture in which the parties enter into a contractual 
or other similar arrangement, including an agreement on the 
establishment of a new entity, but only if one of the parties 
contributes a U.S. business and a foreign person gains control over 
that U.S. business by means of the joint venture.


[[Page 21873]]


    Example 1. Corporation A, a foreign person, and Corporation X, a 
U.S. business, form a separate corporation, JV Corporation, to which 
Corporation A contributes only cash and Corporation X contributes a 
U.S. business. Each owns 50 percent of the shares of JV Corporation 
and, under the Articles of Incorporation of JV Corporation, both 
Corporation A and Corporation X have veto power over all of the 
matters affecting JV Corporation identified under Sec.  
800.203(a)(1) through (10), giving them both control over JV 
Corporation. The formation of JV Corporation is a covered 
transaction.
    Example 2. Corporation A, a foreign person, and Corporation X, a 
U.S. business, form a separate corporation, JV Corporation, to which 
Corporation A contributes funding and managerial and technical 
personnel, while Corporation X contributes certain land and 
equipment that do not in this example constitute a U.S. business. 
Corporations A and B each have a 50 percent interest in the joint 
venture. Assuming no other relevant facts, the formation of JV 
Corporation is not a covered transaction.


Sec.  800.302   Transactions that are not covered transactions.

    Transactions that are not covered transactions include, without 
limitation:
    (a) A stock split or pro rata stock dividend that does not involve 
a change in control.

    Example. Corporation A, a foreign person, holds 10,000 shares of 
Corporation B, a U.S. business, constituting 10 percent of the stock 
of Corporation B. Corporation B pays a 2-for-1 stock dividend. As a 
result of this stock split, Corporation A holds 20,000 shares of 
Corporation B, still constituting 10 percent of the stock of 
Corporation B. Assuming no other relevant facts, the acquisition of 
additional shares is not a covered transaction.

    (b) An acquisition of convertible voting instruments that does not 
involve control. In determining whether an acquisition of convertible 
voting instruments may involve control, consideration will be given to 
factors such as whether the date of conversion has been agreed upon by 
the parties or is within the power of the acquiring entity to 
determine, and whether the amount of voting interests that would be 
acquired upon conversion can be reasonably determined at the time of 
the acquisition of the instruments.

    Example 1. Corporation A, a foreign person, buys debentures, 
options and warrants of Corporation X, a U.S. business. By their 
terms, the debentures are convertible into common stock, and the 
options and warrants can be exercised for common stock, only upon 
the occurrence of an event the timing of which is not in the control 
of the holder of the stock. Assuming no other relevant facts, the 
acquisition of those debentures, options and warrants is not a 
covered transaction. The conversion of those debentures into, or the 
exchange of those options and warrants for, common stock could be a 
covered transaction, depending on what percentage of Corporation X's 
voting securities Corporation A receives and what powers those 
securities confer on Corporation A pursuant to Sec.  800.203.
    Example 2. Same facts as Example 1, except that the securities 
at issue are convertible or exercisable at the sole discretion of 
Corporation A after one year, and if converted, would represent a 50 
percent interest in Corporation X. The acquisition of these 
debentures, options and warrants by Corporation A is a covered 
transaction.

    (c) A transaction that results in a foreign person holding ten 
percent or less of the outstanding voting interests in a U.S. business 
(regardless of the dollar value of the interests so acquired), but only 
if the transaction is solely for the purpose of investment (see Sec.  
800.223).

    Example 1. In an open market purchase solely for the purpose of 
investment, Corporation A, a foreign person, acquires seven percent 
of the voting securities of Corporation X, which is a U.S. business. 
Assuming no other relevant facts, the acquisition of the securities 
is not a covered transaction.
    Example 2. Corporation A, a foreign person, acquires nine 
percent of the voting shares of Corporation X, a U.S. business. 
Corporation A also negotiates contractual rights that give it the 
power to control important matters of Corporation X. The acquisition 
by Corporation A of the voting shares of Corporation X is not solely 
for the purpose of investment, and therefore constitutes a covered 
transaction.
    Example 3. Corporation A, a foreign person, acquires five 
percent of the voting shares in Corporation B, a U.S. business. In 
addition to the securities, Corporation A obtains the right to 
appoint one out of 11 seats on Corporation B's Board of Directors. 
The acquisition by Corporation A of Corporation B's securities is 
not solely for the purpose of investment. Whether the transaction is 
a covered transaction would depend on whether Corporation A obtains 
control of Corporation B as a result of the transaction.

    (d) An acquisition of assets or any part of an entity in the United 
States that does not constitute a U.S. business. (See Sec.  
800.301(c).)

    Example 1. Corporation A, a foreign person, acquires, from 
separate U.S. nationals: (a) products held in inventory, (b) land, 
and (c) machinery for export. Assuming no other relevant facts, 
Corporation A has not acquired a U.S. business, and this acquisition 
is not a covered transaction.
    Example 2. Corporation X produces armored personnel carriers in 
the United States. Corporation A, a foreign person, seeks to acquire 
the annual production of those carriers from Corporation X under a 
long-term contract. Assuming no other relevant facts, this 
transaction is not a covered transaction.
    Example 3. Same facts as Example 2, except that Corporation X, a 
U.S. business, has developed important technology in connection with 
the production of armored personnel carriers. Corporation A seeks to 
negotiate an agreement under which it would be licensed to 
manufacture using that technology. Assuming no other relevant facts, 
neither the proposed acquisition of technology pursuant to that 
license agreement, nor the actual acquisition, is a covered 
transaction.
    Example 4. Same facts as Example 2, except that Corporation A 
enters into a contractual arrangement to acquire the entire armored 
personnel carrier business operations of Corporation X, including 
production facilities, customer lists, technology and staff. This 
transaction is a covered transaction.
    Example 5. Same facts as Example 2, except that Corporation X 
suspended all activities of its armored personnel carrier business a 
year ago and currently is in bankruptcy proceedings. Existing 
equipment provided by Corporation X is being serviced by another 
company, which purchased the service contracts from Corporation X. 
The business's production facilities are idle but still in working 
condition, some of its key former employees have agreed to return if 
the business is resuscitated, and its technology and customer and 
vendor lists are still current. Corporation X's personnel carrier 
business constitutes a U.S. business, and its purchase by 
Corporation A is a covered transaction.

    (e) An acquisition of securities by a person acting as a securities 
underwriter, in the ordinary course of business and in the process of 
underwriting.
    (f) An acquisition pursuant to a condition in a contract of 
insurance relating to fidelity, surety, or casualty obligations if the 
contract was made by an insurer in the ordinary course of business.
    (g) An acquisition of a security interest, but not control, in the 
voting securities or assets of a U.S. business at the time a loan or 
other financing is extended. (See Sec.  800.303.)


Sec.  800.303   Lending transactions.

    (a) The extension of a loan or similar financing by a foreign 
person to a U.S. business, accompanied by the creation in the foreign 
person of a secured interest in securities or other assets of the U.S. 
business, does not, by itself, constitute a covered transaction. 
However, if control over a U.S. business is acquired by the foreign 
person at the time the loan or other financing is extended, then the 
transaction is a covered transaction.
    (1) The Committee will accept notices concerning transactions that 
involve loans or financing by foreign persons only when, because of 
imminent or actual default or other condition, there is a significant 
possibility that the

[[Page 21874]]

foreign person may obtain control of the U.S. business.
    (2) For purposes of this section, in determining whether a 
transaction of the type described in paragraph (1) that involves a 
foreign person that makes loans in the ordinary course of business is a 
covered transaction, the Committee will take into account whether the 
foreign person has made any arrangements to transfer management 
decisions or day-to-day control over the U.S. business to U.S. 
nationals.
    (b) Control will not be deemed to be acquired in cases involving an 
acquisition of voting interests or assets of a U.S. business by a 
foreign person upon default, or other condition, involving a loan or 
other financing, provided that the loan was made by a syndicate of 
banks in a loan participation where the foreign lender (or lenders) in 
the syndicate:
    (1) Needs the majority consent of the U.S. participants in the 
syndicate to take action, and cannot on its own initiate any action 
vis-a-vis the debtor; or
    (2) Does not have a lead role in the syndicate, and is subject to a 
provision in the loan or financing documents limiting its ability to 
control the debtor such that control for purposes of Sec.  800.203 
could not be acquired.

    Example 1. Corporation A, which is a U.S. business, borrows 
funds from Corporation B, a bank organized under the laws of a 
foreign state and controlled by foreign persons. As a condition of 
the loan, Corporation A agrees not to sell or pledge its principal 
assets to any other person. Assuming no other relevant facts, this 
lending arrangement does not constitute a covered transaction.
    Example 2. Same facts as in Example 1, except that Corporation A 
defaults on its loan from Corporation B and seeks bankruptcy 
protection. Corporation A has no funds with which to satisfy 
Corporation B's claim, which is greater than the value of 
Corporation A's principal assets. Corporation B's secured claim 
constitutes the only secured claim against Corporation A's principal 
assets, creating a high probability that Corporation B will receive 
title to Corporation A's principal assets, which constitute a U.S. 
business. Assuming no other relevant facts, the Committee would 
accept a notice of the impending bankruptcy court adjudication 
transferring control of Corporation A's principal assets to 
Corporation B, which would constitute a covered transaction.

Subpart D--Notice


Sec.  800.401  Procedures for notice.

    (a) A party or parties to a proposed or completed transaction may 
file a voluntary notice of the transaction with the Committee. 
Voluntary notice to the Committee is filed by sending:
    (1) One paper copy of the notice to the Staff Chairperson, Office 
of Investment Security, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220, that includes, in English only, the 
information set out in Sec.  800.402, including the certification 
required under paragraph (l) of that section; and
    (2) One electronic copy of the same information required in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section. See the Committee's section of the 
Department of the Treasury Web site, at http://www.treas.gov/offices/international-affairs/cfius/index.shtml for electronic submission 
instructions.
    (b) If the Committee determines that a transaction for which no 
voluntary notice has been filed under paragraph (a) of this section may 
be a covered transaction and raises national security considerations, 
the Staff Chairperson, acting on the recommendation of the Committee, 
may request the parties to the transaction to provide to the Committee 
the information necessary to determine whether the transaction is a 
covered transaction, and if the Committee determines that the 
transaction is a covered transaction, to file a notice under paragraph 
(a) of such covered transaction.
    (c) Any member of the Committee, at or above the Under Secretary or 
equivalent level, may file an agency notice to the Committee through 
the Staff Chairperson regarding a transaction for which no voluntary 
notice has been filed under paragraph (a) of this section if that 
member has reason to believe that the transaction is a covered 
transaction and may raise national security considerations. Notices 
filed under this paragraph are deemed accepted upon their receipt by 
the Staff Chairperson. In the event that an agency notice is filed, the 
Staff Chairperson will promptly furnish the parties to the transaction 
with written advice of such notice. No agency notice under this 
paragraph shall be made with respect to a transaction more than three 
years after the date of the completion of the transaction, unless the 
Chairperson of the Committee, in consultation with other members of the 
Committee, requests such an agency notice.
    (d) No communications other than those described in paragraphs (a) 
and (c) of this section shall constitute notice for purposes of section 
721.
    (e) Upon receipt of the certification required by Sec.  800.402(l) 
and an electronic copy of a notice filed under paragraph (a) of this 
section, the Staff Chairperson shall promptly inspect such notice for 
completeness.
    (f) Parties to a transaction are encouraged to consult with the 
Committee in advance of filing a notice and, in appropriate cases, to 
file with the Committee a draft notice or other appropriate documents 
to aid the Committee's understanding of the transaction and to provide 
an opportunity for the Committee to request additional information to 
be included in the notice. Any such pre-notice consultation should take 
place, or any draft notice should be provided, at least five business 
days before the filing of a voluntary notice. All information and 
documentary material made available to the Committee pursuant to this 
paragraph shall be considered to have been filed with the President or 
the President's designee for purposes of section 721(c) and Sec.  
800.702, and shall be considered part of any notice filed under section 
721(b).
    (g) Information and other documentary material provided by the 
parties to the Committee after the filing of a voluntary notice under 
Sec.  800.401 shall be part of the notice, and shall be subject to the 
certification requirements of Sec.  800.402(l).


Sec.  800.402  Contents of voluntary notice.

    (a) If the parties to a transaction file a voluntary notice, they 
shall provide in detail the information set out in this section, which 
must be accurate and complete with respect to all parties and to the 
transaction. (See also paragraph (l) of this section and Sec.  
800.701(d) regarding certification requirements.)
    (b) In the case of a hostile takeover, if fewer than all the 
parties to a transaction file a voluntary notice, each notifying party 
shall provide the information set out in this section with respect to 
itself and, to the extent known or reasonably available to it, with 
respect to each non-notifying party.
    (c) A voluntary notice filed pursuant to Sec.  800.401(a) shall 
describe:
    (1) The transaction in question, including:
    (i) A summary setting forth the essentials of the transaction, 
including a statement of the purpose of the transaction, and its scope, 
both within and outside of the United States;
    (ii) The nature of the transaction, for example, whether the 
acquisition is by merger, consolidation, the purchase of voting 
interests, or otherwise;
    (iii) The name, United States address (if any), Web site address 
(if any), nationality (for individuals) or place of incorporation or 
other legal organization (for entities), and address of the principal 
place of business of each foreign person that is a party to the 
transaction;
    (iv) The name, address, Web site address (if any), principal place 
of

[[Page 21875]]

business, and place of incorporation or other legal organization of the 
U.S. business that is the subject of the transaction;
    (v) The name, address, and nationality (for individuals) or place 
of incorporation or other legal organization (for entities) of:
    (A) The immediate parent, the ultimate parent, and each 
intermediate parent, if any, of the foreign person that is a party to 
the transaction;
    (B) Where the ultimate parent is a private company, the ultimate 
owner(s) of such parent; and
    (C) Where the ultimate parent is a public company, any shareholder 
with an interest of greater than five percent in such parent.
    (vi) The name, address, Web site address (if any), and nationality 
(for individuals) or place of incorporation or other legal organization 
(for entities) of the person that will ultimately control the U.S. 
business being acquired;
    (vii) The expected date for completion of the transaction, or the 
date it was completed;
    (viii) The price paid for the interest in the U.S. business in U.S. 
dollars, or, where the price does not accurately reflect the full value 
provided for the interest in the U.S. business, a statement of such 
value and a description of how it was derived; and
    (ix) The name of any and all financial institutions involved in the 
transaction, including as advisors, underwriters, or a source of 
financing for the transaction.
    (2) With respect to a transaction structured as an acquisition of 
assets of a business, a detailed description of the assets of the U.S. 
business being acquired, including the approximate value of those 
assets in U.S. dollars;
    (3) With respect to the U.S. business that is the subject of the 
transaction, and any entity of which that U.S. business is a parent 
that is also a subject of the transaction:
    (i) Their respective business activities, as, for example, set 
forth in annual reports, and the product or service lines of each, 
including an estimate of U.S. market share for primary product or 
service lines and an explanation of how that estimate was derived, and 
a list of direct competitors for those primary product or service 
lines;
    (ii) The street address (or mailing address, if different) within 
the United States and Web site address (if any) of each facility that 
is manufacturing classified or unclassified products or producing 
services described in paragraph (c)(3)(v) of this section, their 
respective Commercial and Government Entity Code (CAGE Code), assigned 
by the Department of Defense, their Dun and Bradstreet identification 
(DUNS) number, and their North American Industry Classification System 
(NAICS) Code, if any;
    (iii) Each contract (identified by agency and number) that is 
currently in effect or was in effect within the past five years, with 
any agency of the United States Government involving any information, 
technology or data that is classified under Executive Order 12958, as 
amended, its estimated final completion date, and the name, office, and 
telephone number of the contracting official;
    (iv) Any other contract (identified by agency and number) currently 
in effect, or that was in effect within the past three years, with any 
agency of the United States Government, its estimated final completion 
date, and the name, office, and telephone number of the contracting 
official;
    (v) Any products or services (including research and development):
    (A) That it supplies, directly or indirectly, to any agency of the 
United States Government, including as a prime contractor or first tier 
subcontractor; a supplier to any such prime contractor or 
subcontractor; or, if known by the parties filing the notice, a 
subcontractor at any tier;
    (B) If known by the parties filing the notice, for which it is a 
single qualified source (i.e., other acceptable suppliers are readily 
available to be so qualified) or a sole source (i.e., no other supplier 
has needed technology, equipment, and manufacturing process 
capabilities) of a particular product or service for such agencies and 
whether there are other suppliers in the market that are available to 
be so qualified.
    (vi) Any products or services (including research and development) 
that:
    (A) It supplies to third parties and it knows are rebranded by the 
purchaser or incorporated into the products of another entity, and the 
names or brands under which such rebranded products or services are 
sold; and
    (B) In the case of services, it provides on behalf of, or under the 
name of, another entity, and the name of any such entities;
    (vii) For the prior three years--
    (A) The number of priority rated contracts or orders under the 
Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) regulation (15 CFR 
part 700) that the U.S. business that is the subject of the transaction 
has received and the level of priority of such contracts or orders 
(``DX'' or ``DO''); and
    (B) The number of such priority rated contracts or orders that the 
U.S. business has placed with other entities and the level of priority 
of such contracts or orders, and its plan to ensure that any new entity 
formed at the completion of the notified transaction complies with the 
DPAS regulation;
    (viii) A description and copy of the cyber security plan, if any, 
that will be used to protect against cyber attacks on the operation, 
design, and development of the U.S. business's services, networks, 
systems, data storage, and facilities.
    (4) Whether the U.S. business that is being acquired produces or 
trades in:
    (i) Items that are subject to EAR and, if so, a description (which 
may group similar items into general product categories) of the items 
and a list of the relevant commodity classifications set forth on the 
CCL (i.e., Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) or EAR99 
designation);
    (ii) Defense articles and defense services, and related technical 
data covered by the USML in the ITAR, and, if so, the category of the 
USML, including:
    (A) Defense articles, services, and technical data for which 
commodity jurisdiction determinations (22 CFR 120.4) are pending; and
    (B) Defense articles, services, and technical data that have not 
been, but may be, designated or determined to be covered by the USML, 
pursuant to 22 CFR 120.3;
    (iii) Products and technology that are subject to export 
authorization administered by the Department of Energy (10 CFR part 
810), or export licensing requirements administered by the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission (10 CFR part 110); or
    (iv) Select Agents and Toxins (7 CFR part 331, 9 CFR 121, and 42 
CFR part 73);
    (5) Whether the U.S. business that is the subject of the 
transaction:
    (i) Possesses any licenses, permits, or other authorizations other 
than those under the regulatory authorities listed in paragraph (4) of 
this section that have been granted by an agency of the United States 
Government (if applicable, identification of the relevant licenses 
shall be provided); or
    (ii) Has technology that has military applications (if so, an 
identification of such technology and a description of such military 
applications shall be included).
    (6) With respect to the foreign person engaged in the transaction 
and its parents:
    (i) The business or businesses of the foreign person and its 
ultimate parent, as such businesses are described, for example, in 
annual reports. Provide

[[Page 21876]]

CAGE codes, NAICS codes, and DUNS numbers, if any, for such businesses;
    (ii) The plans of the foreign person for the U.S. business with 
respect to:
    (A) Reducing, eliminating, or selling research and development 
facilities;
    (B) Changing product quality;
    (C) Shutting down or moving outside of the United States facilities 
that are within the United States;
    (D) Consolidating or selling product lines or technology;
    (E) Modifying or terminating contracts referred to in paragraphs 
(c)(3)(iii) and (iv) of this section; or
    (F) Eliminating domestic supply by selling products solely to non-
domestic markets.
    (iii) Whether the foreign person is controlled by or acting on 
behalf of a foreign government, including as an agent or 
representative, or in some similar capacity;
    (iv) Whether a foreign government or a person controlled by or 
acting on behalf of a foreign government:
    (A) Has or controls ownership interests or convertible voting 
instruments of the acquiring foreign person or any parent of the 
acquiring foreign person, and if so, the nature and percentage amount 
of any such instruments;
    (B) Has the right or power to appoint any of the principal officers 
or the members of the board of directors of the acquiring foreign 
person or any parent of the foreign person that is a party to the 
transaction;
    (C) Holds any contingent interest (for example, such as might arise 
from a lending transaction) in the foreign acquiring party and, if so, 
the rights that are covered by this contingent interest, and the manner 
in which they would be enforced; or
    (D) Has any other affirmative or negative rights or powers that 
could be relevant to the Committee's determination of whether the 
notified transaction is a foreign government-controlled transaction; 
and if there are any such rights or powers, describe their source (for 
example, a ``golden share,'' shareholders agreement, contract, statute, 
or regulation) and the mechanics of their operation;
    (v) A description of any formal or informal arrangements among 
foreign ownership interest holders of the foreign person or between the 
foreign person and other persons to act in concert on particular 
matters affecting the U.S. business that is the subject of the 
transaction and a copy of any documents that establish those rights or 
describe those arrangements;
    (vi) Biographical information of members of the board of directors, 
senior management, and the ultimate beneficial owner of five percent or 
more of the following:
    (A) The foreign person engaged in the transaction;
    (B) The immediate parent of the foreign person engaged in the 
transaction; and
    (C) The ultimate parent of the foreign person engaged in the 
transaction.
    (vii) The following ``personal identifier information,'' which, for 
privacy reasons, and to ensure limited distribution, shall be set forth 
in a separate document, not in the main notice, with regard to current 
members of the board or boards of directors (including boards comprised 
partially or entirely of external members) and senior executives of the 
immediate acquirer and its ultimate parent, and any other entities in 
the same chain of ownership that could exercise control over the U.S. 
business being acquired, and any natural person having an ownership 
interest of five percent or more in the ultimate parent of the 
acquirer:
    (A) Full name (last, first, middle name);
    (B) All other names and aliases used;
    (C) Business address;
    (D) Country and city of residence;
    (E) Date of birth;
    (F) Place of birth;
    (G) U.S. Social Security number (where applicable);
    (H) National identity number, including nationality, date and place 
of issuance and expiration date (where applicable);
    (I) U.S. and foreign passport number (if more than one, all must be 
fully disclosed), nationality, date and place of issuance and 
expiration date and, if a U.S. visa holder, the visa type and number, 
date and place of issuance and expiration date; and
    (J) Dates and nature of foreign government and foreign military 
service (where applicable);
    (viii) The following ``business identifier information'' for 
parents of the immediate acquirer, including the ultimate parent, and 
any other entities in the same chain of ownership that could exercise 
control over the U.S. business that is the subject of the transaction:
    (A) Business name, including all names under which the business is 
known to be or has been doing business;
    (B) Business address;
    (C) Business phone number, fax number, and e-mail address;
    (D) Employer identification number or other domestic tax or 
corporate identification number; and
    (E) For each branch, the information required in paragraphs 
(c)(6)(viii)(B) through (D) of this section, if applicable.
    (d) The voluntary notice shall list any filings with, or reports 
to, agencies of the United States Government that have been or will be 
made with respect to the transaction prior to its closing indicating 
the agencies concerned, the nature of the filing or report, the date on 
which it was filed or the estimated date by which it will be filed, and 
a relevant contact point and/or telephone number within the agency, if 
known.

    Example. Corporation A, a foreign person, intends to acquire 
Corporation X, which is wholly owned and controlled by a U.S. 
national and which has a Facility Security Clearance under the 
Department of Defense Industrial Security Program. See Department of 
Defense, ``Industrial Security Regulation,'' DOD 5220.22-R, and 
``Industrial Security Manual for Safeguarding Classified 
Information,'' DOD 5220.22-M. Corporation X accordingly files a 
revised Form DD 441s, and enters into discussions with the Defense 
Investigative Service about effectively insulating its facilities 
from the foreign person. Corporation X may also have made filings 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of 
Commerce, the Department of State, or other federal departments and 
agencies. Paragraph (d) of this section requires that certain 
specific information about these filings be reported to the 
Committee in a voluntary notice.

    (e) In the case of the establishment of a joint venture, 
information for the voluntary notice shall be prepared on the 
assumption that the foreign person that is party to the joint venture 
has made an acquisition of the existing U.S. business that the other 
party to the joint venture is contributing or transferring to the joint 
venture. The voluntary notice shall describe the name and address of 
the joint venture and the entities that established, or are 
establishing, the joint venture.
    (f) In the case of acquisitions of some but not all of the assets 
of a person, Sec.  800.402(c) requires submission of the specified 
information with respect to the assets in the United States that have 
been or are proposed to be acquired.
    (g) Persons filing a voluntary notice shall, with respect to the 
foreign person that is a party to the transaction, its immediate 
parent, the U.S. business that is the subject of the transaction, and 
each entity of which the foreign person is a parent, append to the 
voluntary notice the most recent annual report of each such entity, in 
English. Separate reports are not required for any entity whose 
financial results are included within the consolidated financial 
results stated in the annual report of any parent of any such entity, 
unless the transaction involves the acquisition of a U.S. business 
whose parent is not being acquired, in which case the notice shall 
include the most recent audited

[[Page 21877]]

financial statement of the U.S. business that is the subject of the 
transaction. If a U.S. business does not prepare an annual report and 
its financial results are not included within the consolidated 
financial results stated in the annual report of a parent, the filing 
shall include, if available, the entity's most recent audited financial 
statement (or, if an audited financial statement is not available, the 
unaudited financial statement).
    (h) Persons filing a voluntary notice shall, during the time that 
the matter is pending before the Committee or the President, promptly 
advise the Staff Chairperson of any material changes in plans, facts 
and circumstances addressed in the notice, and information provided or 
required to be provided to the Committee under Sec.  800.402, and shall 
file amendments to the notice to reflect such material changes. Such 
amendments shall become part of the notice filed by such persons under 
Sec.  800.401, and the certification required under Sec.  800.402(l) 
shall apply to such amendments. (See also Sec.  800.701(d).)
    (i) Persons filing a voluntary notice shall include a copy of the 
most recent asset or stock purchase agreement or other document 
establishing the agreed terms of the transaction.
    (j) Persons filing a voluntary notice shall include:
    (1) An organizational chart illustrating all of the entities or 
individuals above the foreign person that is a party to the transaction 
up to the person or persons having ultimate control of that person, 
including the percentage of shares held by each; and
    (2) A full statement of the view of the person as to whether:
    (A) It is a foreign person;
    (B) It is controlled by a foreign government; and
    (C) The transaction has resulted or will result in control of a 
U.S. business by a foreign person, and the reasons for its view, 
focusing in particular on any powers (for example, by virtue of a 
shareholders agreement, contract, statute, or regulation) that the 
foreign person will have with regard to the U.S. business, and how 
those powers can or will be exercised.
    (k) Persons filing a voluntary notice shall include information as 
to whether:
    (1) Any party to the transaction is, or has been, a party to a 
mitigation agreement entered into or condition imposed under section 
721, and if so, shall specify the date and purpose of such agreement or 
condition and the United States Government signatories; and
    (2) Any party to the transaction was ever party to a transaction 
previously notified to the Committee.
    (l) Each party filing a voluntary notice shall provide a 
certification of the notice consistent with Sec.  800.201. A sample 
certification may be found on the Committee's section of the Department 
of the Treasury Web site, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/international-affairs/cfius/index.shtml.
    (m) Persons filing a voluntary notice shall include with the notice 
a list identifying each document provided as part of the notice, 
including all documents provided as attachments or exhibits to the 
narrative response.


Sec.  800.403  Deferral, rejection, or disposition of certain voluntary 
notices.

    (a) The Committee, acting through the Staff Chairperson, may:
    (1) Reject any voluntary notice that does not comply with Sec.  
800.402 and so inform the parties promptly in writing;
    (2) Reject in writing any voluntary notice at any time, and so 
inform the parties promptly in writing, if, after the notice has been 
submitted and before action by the Committee or the President has been 
concluded:
    (i) There is a material change in the transaction as to which 
notification has been made; or
    (ii) Information comes to light that contradicts material 
information provided in the notice by the parties;
    (3) Reject in writing any voluntary notice at any time after the 
notice has been accepted, and so inform the parties promptly in 
writing, if the party or parties that have submitted the voluntary 
notice do not provide follow-up information requested by the Staff 
Chairperson within two business days of the request, or within a longer 
time frame if the parties so request in writing and the Staff 
Chairperson grants that request in writing; or
    (4) Reject in writing any voluntary notice before the conclusion of 
a review or investigation and so inform the parties promptly in 
writing, if the party submitting the voluntary notice has not submitted 
the final certification required by Sec.  800.701(d).
    (b) Notwithstanding the authority of the Staff Chairperson under 
paragraph (a) of this section to reject an incomplete notice, the Staff 
Chairperson may defer acceptance of the notice, and the beginning of 
the thirty-day review period, to obtain any information required under 
this section that has not been submitted by the notifying party or 
parties or other parties to the transaction. Where necessary to obtain 
such information, the Staff Chairperson may inform any non-notifying 
party or parties that notice has been filed with respect to a proposed 
transaction involving the party, and request that certain information 
required under this section, as specified by the Staff Chairperson, be 
provided to the Committee within seven days after receipt of the Staff 
Chairperson's request.
    (c) The Staff Chairperson shall notify the parties when the 
Committee has found that the transaction that is the subject of a 
voluntary notice is not a covered transaction.

    Example 1. The Staff Chairperson receives a joint notice from 
Corporation A, a foreign person, and Corporation X, a company that 
is owned and controlled by U.S. nationals, with respect to 
Corporation A's intent to purchase all of the shares of Corporation 
X. The joint notice does not contain any information described under 
Sec.  800.402(d)(3) (iv) and (v) concerning classified materials and 
products or services supplied to the U.S. military services. The 
Staff Chairperson may reject the notice or defer the start of the 
thirty-day review period until the parties have supplied the omitted 
information.
    Example 2. Same facts as in first sentence of Example 1, except 
that the joint notice indicates that Corporation A does not intend 
to purchase Corporation X's Division Y, which is engaged in 
classified work for a U.S. Government agency. Corporations A and X 
notify the Committee on the 25th day of the 30-day notice period 
that Division Y will also be acquired by Corporation A. This fact 
constitutes a material change with respect to the transaction as 
originally notified, and the Staff Chairperson may reject the 
notice.
    Example 3. The Staff Chairperson receives a joint notice by 
Corporation A, a foreign person, and Corporation X, a company that 
is owned and controlled by U.S. nationals, indicating that 
Corporation A intends to purchase five percent of the voting 
securities of Corporation X. Under the particular facts and 
circumstances presented, the Committee concludes that Corporation 
A's purchase of this interest in Corporation X could not result in 
foreign control of Corporation X. The Staff Chairperson shall advise 
the parties in writing that the transaction as presented is not 
subject to section 721.
    Example 4. The Staff Chairperson receives a voluntary notice 
involving the acquisition by Company A, a foreign person, of the 
entire interest in Company X, a U.S. business. The notice mentions 
the involvement of a second foreign person in the transaction, 
Company B, but states that Company B is merely a passive investor in 
the transaction. During the course of the review, the parties 
provide information that clarifies that Company B's approval would 
be required before Company X can pursue certain lines of business. 
This contradicts the material assertion in the notice that Company B 
is a passive investor. The Committee may reject this notice without 
concluding review under section 721.

[[Page 21878]]

Subpart E--Committee Procedures: Review and Investigation


Sec.  800.501  General.

    (a) The Committee's review or investigation (if necessary) shall 
examine, as appropriate, whether:
    (1) The transaction is by or with any foreign person and could 
result in foreign control of a U.S. business;
    (2) There is credible evidence to support a belief that any foreign 
person exercising control of that U.S. business might take action that 
threatens to impair the national security of the United States; and
    (3) Provisions of law, other than section 721 and the International 
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706), provide adequate 
and appropriate authority to protect the national security of the 
United States.
    (b) During the thirty-day review period or during an investigation, 
the Staff Chairperson may invite the parties to a notified transaction 
to attend a meeting with the Committee staff to discuss and clarify 
issues pertaining to the transaction. During an investigation, a party 
to the investigated transaction may request a meeting with the 
Committee staff; such a request ordinarily will be granted.
    (c) The Staff Chairperson shall be the point of contact for 
receiving material filed with the Committee, including notices.
    (d) Where more than one lead agency is designated, communications 
on material matters between a party to the transaction and a lead 
agency shall include all lead agencies designated with regard to those 
matters.


Sec.  800.502   Beginning of thirty-day review period.

    (a) The Staff Chairperson of the Committee shall accept a voluntary 
notice the next business day after the Staff Chairperson has:
    (1) Determined that the notice complies with Sec.  800.402; and
    (2) Disseminated the notice to all members of the Committee.
    (b) A thirty-day period for review of a transaction shall commence 
on the date on which the voluntary notice has been accepted, agency 
notice has been received by the Staff Chairperson of the Committee, or 
the Chairperson of the Committee has requested a review pursuant to 
Sec.  800.601(b). Such review shall end no later than the thirtieth day 
after it has commenced, or if the thirtieth day is not a business day, 
no later than the next business day after the thirtieth day.
    (c) The Staff Chairperson shall promptly and in writing advise all 
parties to a transaction that have filed a voluntary notice of:
    (1) The acceptance of the notice;
    (2) The date on which the review begins; and
    (3) The designation of any lead agency or agencies.
    (d) Within two business days after its receipt by the Staff 
Chairperson, the Staff Chairperson shall send written advice of an 
agency notice to the parties to a covered transaction. Such written 
advice shall identify the date on which the review began.
    (e) The Staff Chairperson shall promptly circulate to all Committee 
members any draft pre-filing notice, any agency notice, any accepted 
notice, and any subsequent information filed by the parties.


Sec.  800.503   Determination of whether to undertake an investigation.

    (a) After a review of a covered transaction under Sec.  800.502, 
the Committee shall undertake an investigation of any covered 
transaction if:
    (1) A member of the Committee (other than a member designated as ex 
officio under section 721(k)) advises the Staff Chairperson that the 
member believes that the transaction threatens to impair the national 
security of the United States and that the threat has not been 
mitigated; or
    (2) The lead agency recommends, and the Committee concurs, that an 
investigation be undertaken.
    (b) The Committee shall also undertake, after a review of a covered 
transaction under Sec.  800.502, an investigation to determine the 
effects on national security of any covered transaction that:
    (1) Is a foreign government-controlled transaction; or
    (2) Would result in control by a foreign person of critical 
infrastructure of or within the United States, if the Committee 
determines that the transaction could impair the national security and 
such impairment has not been mitigated.
    (c) The Committee shall undertake an investigation as described in 
paragraph (b) of this section unless the Chairperson (or the Deputy 
Secretary of the Treasury) and the head of any lead agency (or his or 
her delegee at the Deputy Secretary or equivalent level) designated by 
the Chairperson determine at the conclusion of the review that such 
transaction will not impair the national security of the United States.


Sec.  800.504   Determination not to undertake an investigation.

    If the Committee determines, during the review period described in 
Sec.  800.502, not to undertake an investigation of a notified covered 
transaction, action under section 721 shall be concluded. An official 
at the Department of the Treasury shall promptly send written advice to 
the parties to a covered transaction of a determination of the 
Committee not to undertake an investigation, and to conclude action 
under section 721.


Sec.  800.505   Commencement of investigation.

    (a) If it is determined that an investigation should be undertaken, 
such investigation shall commence no later than the end of the thirty-
day review period described in Sec.  800.502.
    (b) An official of the Department of the Treasury shall promptly 
send written advice to the parties to a covered transaction of the 
commencement of an investigation.


Sec.  800.506   Completion or termination of investigation and report 
to the President.

    (a) The Committee shall complete an investigation no later than the 
forty-fifth day after the date the investigation commences, or, if the 
forty-fifth day is not a business day, no later than the next business 
day after the forty-fifth day.
    (b) Upon completion or termination of any investigation, the 
Committee shall send a report to the President requesting the 
President's decision if:
    (1) The Committee recommends that the President suspend or prohibit 
the transaction;
    (2) The members of the Committee (other than a member designated as 
ex officio under section 721(k)) are unable to reach a decision on 
whether to recommend that the President suspend or prohibit the 
transaction; or
    (3) The Committee requests that the President make a determination 
with regard to the transaction.
    (c) In circumstances when the Committee sends a report to the 
President requesting the President's decision upon completion or 
termination of an investigation, such report shall include information 
relevant to sections 721 (d)(4)(A) and (B), and shall present the 
Committee's recommendation. If the Committee is unable to reach a 
decision to present a single recommendation to the President, the 
Chairperson shall submit a report of the Committee to the President 
setting forth the differing views and presenting the issues for 
decision.
    (d) If the Committee determines to conclude all deliberative action 
under

[[Page 21879]]

section 721 with regard to a notified covered transaction without 
sending a report to the President upon completion or termination of an 
investigation, action under section 721 shall be concluded. An official 
at the Department of the Treasury shall promptly send written advice to 
the parties to a covered transaction of a determination to conclude 
action.


Sec.  800.507   Withdrawal of notice.

    (a) A party (or parties) to a transaction that has filed notice 
under Sec.  800.401(a) may, at any time prior to conclusion of all 
action under section 721, request in writing that such notice be 
withdrawn. Such request shall be directed to the Staff Chairperson and 
shall state the reasons why the request is being made. Such requests 
will ordinarily be granted, unless otherwise determined by the 
Committee. An official of the Department of the Treasury will promptly 
send written advice of the Committee's decision to the parties.
    (b) Any request to withdraw an agency notice by the agency that 
filed it shall be in writing and shall be effective only upon approval 
by the Committee. An official of the Department of the Treasury shall 
provide written advice to the parties to the transaction of the 
Committee's decision to approve the withdrawal request within two 
business days of the Committee's decision.
    (c) In any case where a request to withdraw a notice is granted 
under paragraph (a) of this section:
    (1) The Staff Chairperson, in consultation with the Committee, 
shall establish, as appropriate:
    (i) A process for tracking actions that may be taken by any party 
to the covered transaction before notice is refiled under Sec.  
800.401; and
    (ii) Interim protections to address specific national security 
concerns with the transaction identified during the review or 
investigation of the transaction.
    (2) The Staff Chairperson shall specify a time frame, as 
appropriate, for the parties to resubmit a notice and shall provide 
written advice of that time frame to the parties.
    (d) Written notice of a covered transaction pursuant to paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section shall be deemed a new notice for purposes of the 
regulations in this part, including Sec.  800.601.


Sec.  800.508   Role of the Secretary of Labor.

    In response to a request from the Chairperson, the Secretary of 
Labor shall identify for the Committee any risk mitigation provisions 
proposed to or by the Committee that would violate U.S. labor laws.

Subpart F--Finality of Action


Sec.  800.601   Finality of actions under section 721.

    (a) All authority available to the President or the Committee under 
section 721(d), including divestment authority, shall remain available 
at the discretion of the President with respect to covered transactions 
proposed or pending on or after the effective date. Such authority 
shall not be exercised if:
    (1) The Committee, through its Staff Chairperson, has in writing 
advised a party (or the parties) that a particular transaction, with 
respect to which voluntary notice has been filed is not a covered 
transaction;
    (2) The parties to the transaction have received written advice 
pursuant to Sec.  800.504 or Sec.  800.506(d) that the Committee has 
concluded all action under section 721 with respect to the covered 
transaction; or
    (3) The President has previously announced, pursuant to section 
721(d), his decision not to exercise his authority under section 721 
with respect to the covered transaction.
    (b) Notwithstanding any other provision in the regulations in this 
part, and in addition to such other penalties as may be provided by 
law, in any case where one or more parties to a covered transaction 
submits false or misleading material information to the Committee, or 
omits material information, including relevant information that is 
supplied in response to provisions of Sec.  800.402; that is requested 
specifically by the President or the Committee in the course of a 
review, investigation, or Presidential determination; or that is 
actually provided by a party:
    (1) The Committee may, consistent with sections 721(b)(1)(D)(ii) 
and (b)(1)(F), reopen its review of the transaction and exercise all 
its original authorities under section 721 with respect to the 
transaction, including revising any recommendation or recommendations 
submitted to the President; and
    (2) The President may take action under section 721 for such time 
as the President deems appropriate with respect to the covered 
transaction, and may revise actions earlier taken.
    (c) The Committee will generally not consider as material minor 
inaccuracies, omissions, or changes relating to financial or commercial 
factors not having a bearing on national security.
    (d) Divestment or other relief under section 721 shall not be 
available with respect to transactions that were completed prior to the 
effective date.

Subpart G--Provision and Handling of Information


Sec.  800.701   Obligation of parties to provide information.

    (a) Parties to a covered transaction that is notified under subpart 
D shall provide information to the Staff Chairperson that will enable 
the Committee to conduct a full review and/or investigation of the 
proposed transaction, and shall promptly advise the Staff Chairperson 
of any material changes in plans or information pursuant to Sec.  
800.402(h). If deemed necessary by the Committee, information may be 
obtained from parties to a covered transaction or other persons through 
subpoena or otherwise, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. App. 2155(a).
    (b) Documentary materials or information required or requested to 
be filed with the Committee under this part shall be submitted in 
English. Supplementary materials, such as annual reports, written in a 
foreign language, shall be submitted in certified English translation.
    (c) Any information filed with the Committee by a party to a 
covered transaction in connection with any action for which a report is 
required pursuant to section 721(l)(3)(B) with respect to the 
implementation of a mitigation agreement or condition described in 
section 721(l)(1)(A) shall be accompanied by a certification that 
complies with the requirements of section 721(n) and Sec.  800.201. A 
sample certification may be found at the Committee's section of the 
Department of the Treasury Web site at http://www.treas.gov/offices/international-affairs/cfius/index.shtml.
    (d) At the conclusion of a review or investigation, each party that 
has filed additional information subsequent to the original notice 
shall file a final certification. (See Sec.  800.201.) A sample 
certification may be found at the Committee's section of the Department 
of the Treasury Web site at http://www.treas.gov/offices/international-affairs/cfius/index.shtml.


Sec.  800.702   Confidentiality.

    (a) Any information or documentary material filed with the 
Committee pursuant to this part shall be exempt from disclosure under 5 
U.S.C. 552 and no such information or documentary material may be made 
public, except as may be relevant to any administrative or judicial 
action or proceeding. Nothing in this part shall be construed to 
prevent disclosure to either House of Congress or to any duly 
authorized committee or subcommittee of the Congress, in

[[Page 21880]]

accordance with subsections (b)(3)(B) and (g)(2)(A) of section 721.
    (b) In any case where a request to withdraw notice is granted under 
Sec.  800.507, or where notice has been rejected under Sec.  800.403, 
Sec.  800.702 shall continue to apply with respect to information and 
documentary material filed with the Committee.
    (c) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this section shall be interpreted 
to prohibit the public disclosure by a party of documentary material or 
information that it has filed with the Committee. Any such documentary 
material or information so disclosed may subsequently be reflected in 
the public statements of the Chairperson, who is authorized to 
communicate with the public and the Congress on behalf of the 
Committee.
    (d) The provisions of 50 U.S.C. App. 2155(d) relating to fines and 
imprisonment shall apply with respect to the disclosure of information 
or documentary material filed with the Committee under these 
regulations.

Subpart H--Penalties


Sec.  800.801   Penalties.

    (a) Any person who, intentionally or through gross negligence, 
submits a material misstatement or omission in a notice or makes a 
false certification under Sec.  800.402(k) or 800.701(c) may be liable 
to the United States for a civil penalty not to exceed $250,000 per 
violation. The amount of the penalty assessed for a violation shall be 
based on the nature of the violation.
    (b) Any person who, intentionally or through gross negligence, 
violates a material agreement or condition entered or agreed with the 
United States under section 721(l) may be liable to the United States 
for a civil penalty not to exceed $250,000 per violation or the value 
of the transaction. Any penalty assessed under this subsection shall be 
based on the nature of the violation and shall be separate and apart 
from any damages sought pursuant to a mitigation agreement under 
section 721(l), or any action taken under Sec.  800.601(b).
    (c) A mitigation agreement entered into under section 721(l) may 
include a provision providing for liquidated or actual damages for 
breaches of the agreement by parties to the transaction. The Committee 
shall set the amount of any liquidated damages as a reasonable 
assessment of the harm to the national security that could result from 
a breach of the agreement. Any mitigation agreement containing a 
liquidated damages provision shall include a provision that the 
Committee will consider the severity of the breach in deciding whether 
to seek a lesser amount than that stipulated in the contract.
    (d) A determination to impose penalties under paragraphs (a) or (b) 
of this section must be made by the Committee. Notice of the penalty, 
including a written explanation of the penalized conduct and the amount 
of the penalty, shall be sent to the penalized party by U.S. mail.
    (e) Upon receiving notice of the imposition of a penalty under 
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, the penalized party may, within 
15 days of receipt of the notice of the penalty, submit a written 
statement of appeal to the Staff Chairperson, including a defense, 
justification, or explanation for the penalized conduct. The Committee 
will review the appeal and issue a final decision within 15 days of 
receipt of the appeal.
    (f) The penalties authorized in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section may be recovered in a civil action brought by the United States 
in federal district court.
    (g) The penalties available under this section are without 
prejudice to other penalties, civil or criminal, available under law.

Appendix to Part 800--Preamble to Regulations on Mergers, Acquisition, 
and Takeovers by Foreign Persons

    (Published [date to be determined], 2008.)


[Text of Appendix will appear in the final rule.]

Clay Lowery,
Assistant Secretary (International Affairs).
[FR Doc. 08-1172 Filed 4-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-25-P


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>