Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act

Bill: 113-s-2922
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2014-11-13 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Europe
Hong Kong
Human rights
International exchange and broadcasting
International law and treaties
News media and reporting
Political movements and philosophies
Protest and dissent
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
United Kingdom

Summary:
action_date: 2014-11-13
text: 
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act - Amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of State to report to Congress on conditions in Hong Kong that are of U.S. interest by March 31, 2015, and annually thereafter for 10 years or until the Secretary certifies that Hong Kong has held free and fair elections for 2 consecutive Chief Executive and 2 consecutive Legislative Council periods. 
 
States that it is U.S. policy to: 
 
 
 reaffirm the principles set forth in the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992; 
 
 support the democratic aspirations of the people of Hong Kong; 
 
urge China's government to uphold its commitments to Hong Kong; 
 
support the establishment by 2017 of a democratic option to nominate and elect the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and the establishment by 2020 of democratic elections for all members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council; and 
 
support freedom of the press. 
 
 
States that Hong Kong is ineligible for treatment different from that accorded to China under U.S. laws or agreements unless the President certifies to Congress that Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous to justify different treatment.
 
Authorizes the President to waive such ineligibility if: (1) waiver is in the U.S. national interest, and (2) Congress is given a justification of the waiver on or before the date it takes effect.

action_date: 2014-12-11
text: 
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act - States that it is U.S. policy to: 
 
 
 reaffirm the principles set forth in the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992; 
 
 support the democratic aspirations of the people of Hong Kong; 
 
urge China's government to uphold its commitments to Hong Kong; 
 
support the establishment by 2017 of a democratic option to nominate and elect the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and the establishment by 2020 of democratic elections for all members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council; and 
 
support freedom of the press. 
 
 
Amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of State to report by March 31, 2015, to Congress on conditions in Hong Kong that are of U.S. interest, and annually thereafter for 10 years or until the Secretary certifies that Hong Kong has held free and fair elections for 2 consecutive Chief Executive and 2 consecutive Legislative Council periods. 
 
 Directs the Secretary to certify annually to Congress whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous to justify separate treatment different from that accorded to China in any new laws, agreements, treaties, or arrangements entered into between the United States and Hong Kong. 
 
 Exempts from the certification requirement new laws, agreements, treaties, or arrangements that support human rights, rule of law, or democracy in Hong Kong. 
 
 Authorizes the Secretary to waive the certification requirement if in U.S. national interests, and with congressional notification.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-12-12
text: By Senator Menendez from Committee on Foreign Relations filed written report. Report No. 113-313.
action_date: 2014-12-12
text: By Senator Menendez from Committee on Foreign Relations filed written report. Report No. 113-313.
action_date: 2014-12-11
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 651.
action_date: 2014-12-11
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2014-12-11
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2014-12-11
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2014-11-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2014-11-13
text: Introduced in Senate