Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-1023
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2017-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign loans and debt
Forests, forestry, trees
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Multilateral development programs
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: 

Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2017

 
This bill renames the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 as the Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2017.
 
Non-tropical forests and coral reef ecosystems are included within the scope of, and made eligible for benefits under, the Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2017.
 
The Tropical Forest Facility is renamed the Conservation Facility.
 
One or more individuals appointed by the U.S. government may serve on oversight bodies for grants from a debt-for-nature swap or debt buyback regardless of whether the United States is a party to any agreement between the eligible purchaser and the government of the beneficiary country.
 
The Tropical Forest Fund is renamed the Conservation Fund.
 
A grant of more than $250,000 from a fund must be approved by the U.S. government and the government of the beneficiary country.
 
The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to revise International Monetary Fund criteria for country eligibility.

action_date: 2019-01-14
text: 

Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2018

 
This bill reauthorizes the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 through FY 2020 and expands the Act to include coral reefs as well as tropical forests. The bill also changes the name of the Act to the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998.
 
The bill authorizes to be appropriated funds for the Act's debt-for-nature swaps and debt buyback programs through FY 2020. Such programs convert reduce or convert debt obligations from eligible countries to the United States into funding for nature conservation and protection efforts in that country. The Tropical Forest Facility, an entity that administers the programs, shall be renamed the Conservation Facility.
 
The bill modifies the administration of agreements signed between the United States and each country that participate in the debt reduction programs. The administering body for each country that disperses grants under the Act shall have at least one U.S.-appointed individual serving in an official capacity. It also modifies the additional approval requirements for larger grants and defines such grants as those of more than $250,000. Currently, grants of more than $100,000 are subject to additional approval requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-01-14
text: Became Public Law No: 115-440.
action_date: 2019-01-14
text: Became Public Law No: 115-440.
action_date: 2019-01-14
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2019-01-14
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2019-01-02
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2019-01-02
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 332 - 43 (Roll no. 488). (text: CR H10544-10545)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 332 - 43 (Roll no. 488).(text: CR H10544-10545)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10574)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1023.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10544-10546)
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2018-12-20
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2018-12-20
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2018-12-20
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2018-12-20
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S7950-7953)
action_date: 2018-12-20
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S7950-7953)
action_date: 2018-12-20
text: The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-12-20
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7950-7951)
action_date: 2018-07-30
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 544.
action_date: 2018-07-30
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-07-30
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-07-26
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 115-440