Iran Terrorism and Human Rights Sanctions Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2726
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2016-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Arms control and nonproliferation
Aviation and airports
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business records
Chemical and biological weapons
Congressional oversight
Crimes against women
Department of State
Department of the Treasury
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Financial services and investments
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Foreign and international corporations
Foreign property
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Iran
Legislative rules and procedure
Marine and inland water transportation
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Navigation, waterways, harbors
News media and reporting
Nuclear weapons
Protest and dissent
Religion
Rule of law and government transparency
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Spacecraft and satellites
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Syria
Technology transfer and commercialization
Terrorism
Trade restrictions
U.S. and foreign investments
United Nations
Visas and passports
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: 

Iran Terrorism and Human Rights Sanctions Act of 2016

 
This bill prescribes requirements for mandatory sanctions with respect to: 
 
 
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and entities it owns in whole or in part, 
 
Mahan Air, 
 
Iran's support of terrorism, 
 
Iran's human rights abuses, 
 
certain Iranian individuals, 
 
persons who conduct transactions with or on behalf of certain Iranian individuals, and 
 
financial institutions that engage in certain transactions on behalf of persons involved in human rights abuses or that export sensitive technology to Iran.
 
 
The Department of the Treasury shall establish and publish in the Federal Register an IRGC watch list.
 
The bill prescribes prohibitions against Iran's direct and indirect access to the U.S. financial system.
 
The Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 is amended to authorize a state or local government to divest its assets from, or prohibit investment in, any person that engages in investment or business activities with the IRGC or a person on the Treasury's list of designated nationals and blocked persons. 
 
The bill specifies additional requirements for removal of a person's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
 
The Department of State may assist individuals and entities working in Iran for the purpose of supporting and promoting the rule of law, civil society, and economic opportunity. 
 
The President shall: (1) designate within the State Department a Special Coordinator on Human Rights and Democracy in Iran; and (2) report to Congress on U.S. citizens, including dual citizens, detained by Iran or Iranian-supported groups. 
 
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America shall increase programming to Iran.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate