North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2061
Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27]
Introduced: 2017-04-06 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
China
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Freedom of information
Human rights
International exchange and broadcasting
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Military personnel and dependents
North Korea
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Rule of law and government transparency
South Korea
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: 

North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

 
 This bill amends the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 to reauthorize through FY2022: (1) programs that promote human rights, democracy, rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) actions to promote freedom of information in North Korea; and (3) humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of the government.
 
The bill extends through 2022 the requirements for annual reports from: (1) the Department of State on freedom of information inside North Korea, (2) the Special Envoy on North Korean human rights issues, (3) the U.S. Agency for International Development on U.S. humanitarian assistance activities both inside North Korea and for North Koreans outside of North Korea, and (4) the State Department and Department of Homeland Security on North Korean refugees and immigration. 
 
 The Broadcasting Board of Governors shall report to Congress regarding: (1) the status of current U.S. broadcasting to North Korea and the extent to which the Board has achieved the goal of 12-hour-per-day broadcasting to North Korea; and (2) a strategy to overcome obstacles to communication with the North Korean people, including through electronic means. 

action_date: 2017-09-25
text: 

North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

 
(Sec. 3) This bill expresses the sense of Congress concerning access to and protection of North Korean refugees and defectors, the forcible repatriation by China of North Koreans, and the Department of State position of Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues.
 
 
 (Sec. 4) The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 is amended to reauthorize through FY2022: (1) programs that promote human rights, democracy, rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) actions to promote freedom of information in North Korea; and (3) humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the government's permission.
 
The bill extends through 2022 the requirements for annual reports from: (1) the State Department on freedom of information inside North Korea, (2) the Special Envoy on North Korean human rights issues, (3) the U.S. Agency for International Development on U.S. humanitarian assistance activities both inside North Korea and for North Koreans outside of North Korea, and (4) the State Department and Department of Homeland Security on North Korean refugees and immigration.
 
 (Sec. 5) The President may provide electronic information sharing media to increase the availability of nongovernment-controlled information inside North Korea. 
 
The President may: (1) provide grants to distribute information receiving devices, electronically readable devices, and other informational sources into North Korea; and (2) establish a grant program to develop or distribute new products or methods to allow North Koreans easier access to outside information. 
 
The Broadcasting Board of Governors: (1) may broadcast popular music, television, movies, and popular cultural references as part of its programming; and (2) shall broadcast in Korean to North Korea information on rights, laws, and freedoms afforded through the North Korean Constitution and applicable treaties or international agreements. 
 
 The State Department shall: (1) submit a plan to Congress for reaching additional audiences and increasing consumption of uncensored news and information; and (2) report annually on the effectiveness of actions taken pursuant to these information dissemination requirements, including data reflecting audience and listenership, device distribution and usage, and technological development and advancement usage.
 
 (Sec. 7) The board shall report to Congress regarding: (1) the status of current U.S. broadcasting to North Korea and the extent to which it has achieved the goal of 12-hour-per-day broadcasting, and (2) a strategy to overcome obstacles to communication with the North Korean people. 
 
 (Sec. 8) The State Department shall report to Congress regarding efforts to: (1) resume the repatriation from North Korea of U.S. Armed Forces members missing or unaccounted for during the Korean War, (2) reunite Korean Americans with their relatives in North Korea, and (3) assess the security risks to U.S. citizens posed by travel to North Korea. 

action_date: 2018-04-24
text: 

North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

 
 (Sec. 4) This bill provides for increased dissemination of news and information access to North Korea.
 
The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 is amended to include news rebroadcasting in supported broadcasting to North Korea.
 
 (Sec. 5) The President may: (1) distribute or provide grants to distribute information receiving devices, electronically readable devices, and other informational sources into North Korea; and (2) provide grants to develop and distribute new products or methods to allow North Koreans easier access to outside information.
 
The Broadcasting Board of Governors may broadcast American, Korean, Chinese, and other popular music, television, movies, and popular cultural references as part of its programming. 
 
The board shall broadcast to North Korea in the Korean language information on rights, laws, and freedoms afforded through the North Korean Constitution and through human rights treaties or other international agreements. 
 
 The bill urges that information access efforts should include religious communities and be coordinated with the Office of International Religious Freedom. 
 
 (Sec. 7) The President may provide grants for research on North Korea's denial of human rights.
 
The bill extends through FY2022: (1) programs that promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) actions to promote freedom of information in North Korea; and (3) humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of the government.
 
 The bill extends through 2022 annual reporting requirements regarding: (1) freedom of information, (2) North Korean human rights issues, (3) U.S. humanitarian assistance inside North Korea and to North Koreans outside of North Korea, and (4) the number of North Koreans seeking refugee status or political asylum in the United States.

action_date: 2018-06-27
text: 

North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

 
 (Sec. 4) This bill provides for increased dissemination of news and information access to North Korea.
 
The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 is amended to include news rebroadcasting in supported broadcasting to North Korea.
 
 (Sec. 5) The President may: (1) distribute or provide grants to distribute information receiving devices, electronically readable devices, and other informational sources into North Korea; and (2) provide grants to develop and distribute new products or methods to allow North Koreans easier access to outside information.
 
The Broadcasting Board of Governors may broadcast American, Korean, Chinese, and other popular music, television, movies, and popular cultural references as part of its programming. 
 
The board shall broadcast to North Korea in the Korean language information on rights, laws, and freedoms afforded through the North Korean Constitution and through human rights treaties or other international agreements. 
 
 The bill urges that information access efforts should include religious communities and be coordinated with the Office of International Religious Freedom. 
 
 (Sec. 7) The President may provide grants for research on North Korea's denial of human rights.
 
The bill extends through FY2022: (1) programs that promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) actions to promote freedom of information in North Korea; and (3) humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of the government.
 
 The bill extends through 2022 annual reporting requirements regarding: (1) freedom of information, (2) North Korean human rights issues, (3) U.S. humanitarian assistance inside North Korea and to North Koreans outside of North Korea, and (4) the number of North Koreans seeking refugee status or political asylum in the United States.

action_date: 2018-07-20
text: 

North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

 
 (Sec. 4) This bill provides for increased dissemination of news and information access to North Korea.
 
The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 is amended to include news rebroadcasting in supported broadcasting to North Korea.
 
 (Sec. 5) The President may: (1) distribute or provide grants to distribute information receiving devices, electronically readable devices, and other informational sources into North Korea; and (2) provide grants to develop and distribute new products or methods to allow North Koreans easier access to outside information.
 
The Broadcasting Board of Governors may broadcast American, Korean, Chinese, and other popular music, television, movies, and popular cultural references as part of its programming. 
 
The board shall broadcast to North Korea in the Korean language information on rights, laws, and freedoms afforded through the North Korean Constitution and through human rights treaties or other international agreements. 
 
 The bill urges that information access efforts should include religious communities and be coordinated with the Office of International Religious Freedom. 
 
 (Sec. 7) The President may provide grants for research on North Korea's denial of human rights.
 
The bill extends through FY2022: (1) programs that promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) actions to promote freedom of information in North Korea; and (3) humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of the government.
 
 The bill extends through 2022 annual reporting requirements regarding: (1) freedom of information, (2) North Korean human rights issues, (3) U.S. humanitarian assistance inside North Korea and to North Koreans outside of North Korea, and (4) the number of North Koreans seeking refugee status or political asylum in the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-20
text: Became Public Law No: 115-198.
action_date: 2018-07-20
text: Became Public Law No: 115-198.
action_date: 2018-07-20
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-07-20
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-06-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-06-27
text: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H5787-5788)
action_date: 2018-06-27
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H5787-5788)
action_date: 2018-06-27
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H5787-5788)
action_date: 2018-04-25
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2018-04-24
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-04-24
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-04-24
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2396)
action_date: 2018-04-24
text: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-04-24
text: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-09-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-09-25
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 0 (Roll no. 531). (text: CR H7441-7442)
action_date: 2017-09-25
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 0 (Roll no. 531).(text: CR H7441-7442)
action_date: 2017-09-25
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7473-7474)
action_date: 2017-09-25
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: 2017-09-25
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2061.
action_date: 2017-09-25
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7441-7444)
action_date: 2017-09-25
text: Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2017-07-27
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-07-27
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 115-198