I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8884 
To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to modify and extend the Generalized 
System of Preferences, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 7, 2020 
Mr. BLUMENAUER (for himself, Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, and Ms. MOORE) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to modify and extend 
the Generalized System of Preferences, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. MODIFICATION AND EXTENSION OF GENERAL-
IZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES. 
(a) DESIGNATION
OF BENEFICIARY DEVELOPING 
COUNTRIES.—Section 502 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
U.S.C. 2462) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2)— 
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(A) by inserting after subparagraph (H) 
the following: 
‘‘(I) Such country engages in gross viola-
tions of internationally recognized human rights 
in that country (including any designated zone 
in that country). 
‘‘(J) Such country has failed to effectively 
enforce its environmental laws, regulations, or 
other measures, or to fulfill its international en-
vironmental obligations, including as such obli-
gations relate to public health.’’; and 
(B) in the text following subparagraph (J) 
(as so inserted), by striking ‘‘and (H) (to the 
extent described in section 507(6)(D))’’ and in-
serting ‘‘(H) (to the extent described in section 
507(6)(D)), (I), and (J)’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (6)(B), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) the extent to which such country effec-
tively enforces its environmental laws, regulations, 
and other measures, and fulfills its international en-
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vironmental obligations, including as such obliga-
tions relate to public health; and 
‘‘(9) the extent to which such country has es-
tablished, or is making continual progress toward es-
tablishing— 
‘‘(A) the rule of law, political pluralism, 
and the right to due process, a fair trial, and 
equal protection under the law; 
‘‘(B) economic policies to reduce poverty, 
increase the availability of health care and edu-
cational opportunities, expand physical infra-
structure, promote the development of private 
enterprise, and encourage the formation of cap-
ital markets through micro-credit or other pro-
grams; and 
‘‘(C) a system to combat corruption and 
bribery, such as signing and implementing the 
Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign 
Public Officials in International Business 
Transactions.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) ASSESSMENT
AND REPORT
ON COMPLIANCE 
WITH ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall— 
‘‘(A) on an annual basis— 
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‘‘(i) conduct assessments on compli-
ance of an appropriate number of countries 
designated as beneficiary developing coun-
tries for purposes of this title in meeting 
or continuing to meet their eligibility re-
quirements under this title; and 
‘‘(ii) make determinations whether to 
self-initiate full country practice reviews of 
those countries’ continued eligibility under 
this title; and 
‘‘(B) submit to Congress a report con-
sisting of the results of such assessments and 
determinations. 
‘‘(2) FREQUENCY.—The President shall con-
duct an assessment described in clause (i) of para-
graph (1)(A) and make a determination described in 
clause (ii) of such paragraph with respect to each 
country designated as a beneficiary developing coun-
try for purposes of this title not less frequently than 
once every 3 years.’’. 
(b) SUPPLEMENTAL REVIEW AND REPORTING.— 
(1) POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES.—It is the 
policy of the United States to support gender equal-
ity and worker rights by promoting legal reforms 
that address legal, structural, and social barriers 
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