Advancing Human Rights-Centered International Conservation Act of 2022

Bill: 117-hr-7025
Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-3]
Introduced: 2022-03-09 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-09
text: 

Advancing Human Rights-Centered International Conservation Act of 2022

 
This bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to take actions to ensure that the international financial assistance it provides does not go to any foreign security force unit (e.g., a military or paramilitary unit) where there is a reasonable belief that the unit has committed a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights. 
 
The USFWS must conduct risk analysis to ensure that a recipient (or subgrantee) of a grant does not fund or support any such unit. The prohibition against providing funding to such a unit shall not apply if the applicable government is taking effective steps to (1) bring the responsible members of the unit to justice, and (2) prevent gross violations of internationally recognized human rights by the unit in the future.
 
The USFWS must take other actions to prevent funding such a unit, such as (1) coordinating with the Department of State on procedures for vetting potential assistance recipients, (2) publicly identifying units that are barred from receiving assistance, (3) requiring assistance recipients to provide certain information and to implement a safeguards plan, and (4) requiring periodic financial and programmatic audits of assistance recipients.

action_date: 2022-07-18
text: 

Advancing Human Rights-Centered International Conservation Act of 2022

 
This bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to take actions to ensure that the international financial assistance it provides does not go to any foreign security force unit (e.g., a military or paramilitary unit) where there is a reasonable belief that the unit has committed a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights. 
 
The USFWS must conduct risk analysis to ensure that a recipient (or subgrantee) of a grant does not fund or support any such unit. The prohibition against providing funding to such a unit shall not apply if the applicable government is taking effective steps to (1) bring the responsible members of the unit to justice, and (2) prevent gross violations of internationally recognized human rights by the unit in the future.
 
The USFWS must take other actions to prevent funding such a unit, such as (1) coordinating with the Department of State on procedures for vetting potential assistance recipients, (2) publicly identifying units that are barred from receiving assistance, (3) requiring assistance recipients to provide certain information and to implement a safeguards plan, and (4) requiring periodic financial and programmatic audits of assistance recipients.

action_date: 2022-07-19
text: 

Advancing Human Rights-Centered International Conservation Act of 2022

 
This bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to take actions to ensure that the international financial assistance it provides does not go to any foreign security force unit (e.g., a military or paramilitary unit) where there is a reasonable belief that the unit has committed a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights. 
 
The USFWS must conduct risk analysis to ensure that a recipient (or subrecipient) of a grant does not fund or support any such unit. The prohibition against providing funding to such a unit shall not apply if the applicable government is taking effective steps to (1) bring the responsible members of the unit to justice, and (2) prevent gross violations of internationally recognized human rights by the unit in the future.
 
The USFWS must take other actions to prevent funding such a unit, such as (1) coordinating with the Department of State on procedures for vetting potential assistance recipients, (2) publicly identifying units that are barred from receiving assistance, (3) requiring assistance recipients to provide certain information and to implement a safeguards plan, and (4) requiring periodic financial and programmatic audits of assistance recipients.
 
The bill also requires (1) a grant recipient to report credible information about possible human rights violations involving a grant to the USFWS and the relevant diplomatic or consular post, (2) the program awarding the grant to investigate such allegations, and (3) the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior to investigate certain cases referred by the USFWS.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-07-20
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2022-07-19
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-07-19
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 - 43 (Roll no. 377). (text: 7/18/2022 CR H6696-6698)
action_date: 2022-07-19
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): 379 - 43 (Roll no. 377).
action_date: 2022-07-19
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6866-6867)
action_date: 2022-07-18
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: 2022-07-18
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7025.
action_date: 2022-07-18
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6696-6698)
action_date: 2022-07-18
text: Mr. Huffman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2022-07-18
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 324.
action_date: 2022-07-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-417.
action_date: 2022-07-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-417.
action_date: 2022-06-15
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-06-15
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2022-06-15
text: Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Discharged.
action_date: 2022-03-29
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2022-03-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2022-03-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2022-03-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2022-03-09
text: Introduced in House