Sanction Russian Nuclear Safety Violators Act of 2023

To authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to any foreign person endangering the integrity or safety of the Zaporzhzhia nuclear power plant. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sanction Russian Nuclear Safety Violators Act of 2023 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) On February 24, 2022, the Government of the Russian Federation, led by Vladimir Putin, launched an unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. (2) Russian forces have illegally occupied the Zaporzhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and have placed Russian military equipment within the power plant. (3) Officials from the Russian Federations State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (4) The International Atomic Energy Association IAEA (5) The Director General has stated that failing to demilitarize the Zaporzhzhia nuclear power plant is playing with fire (6) In May 2023, Russia evacuated citizens from the region around Zaporizhzhia, including personnel who operate the plant, further exacerbating concerns about the plant’s stability and safety. 3. Sanctions (a) In general The President shall impose sanctions described in subsection (b) with respect to any foreign person has endangered the integrity, safety, or undermined Ukrainian operational control of the Zaporzhzhia Nuclear Power Station located in southeastern Ukraine since the Russian Federation launched an unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. (b) Sanctions described The sanctions described in this subsection are the following: (1) Asset blocking Notwithstanding the requirements of section 202 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 (2) Visas, admission, or parole (A) In general An alien who the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) knows, or has reason to believe, is described in subsection (a) is— (i) inadmissible to the United States; (ii) ineligible for a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and (iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. (B) Current visas revoked (i) In general The issuing consular officer, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1201(i) (ii) Effect of revocation A revocation under clause (i)— (I) shall take effect immediately; and (II) shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession. (c) Exceptions (1) Exception to comply with international obligations Sanctions under subsection (b)(2) shall not apply with respect to the admission of an alien if admitting or paroling the alien into the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations. (2) Exception relating to the provision of humanitarian assistance Sanctions under this section may not be imposed with respect to transactions or the facilitation of transactions for— (A) the sale of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or medical devices; (B) the provision of humanitarian assistance; (C) financial transactions relating to humanitarian assistance; or (D) transporting goods or services that are necessary to carry out operations relating to humanitarian assistance. (3) Exception related to ukrainian operational control Sanctions under this section shall not apply to any foreign person seeking to reestablish Ukrainian operational control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station or the surrounding region. (d) Implementation; penalties (1) Implementation The President may exercise all authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out this subtitle. (2) Penalties The penalties provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1705 (e) Waiver The President may waive the application of sanctions imposed with respect to a foreign person under this section if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees not later than 15 days before such waiver is to take effect that the waiver is vital to the national security interests of the United States. (f) Definitions In this section— (1) the term appropriate congressional committees (2) the term foreign person (3) the term United States person (A) a United States citizen; (B) a permanent resident alien of the United States; (C) an entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity; or (D) a person in the United States.

Summary: Sanction Russian Nuclear Safety Violators Act of 2023 This bill requires the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons who endanger the integrity, safety, or undermine Ukrainian operational control of the Zaporzhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine.  The sanctions include (1) asset blocking; (2) visas, admission, or parole into the United States; and (3) revocation of current visas. The bill limits such sanctions as they apply to international obligations, to humanitarian assistance, or to those seeking to reestablish Ukrainian operational control of the Zaporzhzhia nuclear power plant.