Remote Access Security Act

Bill: 118-hr-8152
Sponsor: Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Introduced: 2024-04-29 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: 

Remote Access Security Act

This bill broadens the scope of the U.S. export control system to include remote access of items. 
Remote access
 means (1) access to an item subject to the jurisdiction of the United States by a foreign person through a network connection, including the internet or a cloud computing service, from a location other than where the item is physically located; or (2) any other form of access specified in regulations promulgated by the Department of Commerce.

The Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), which is implemented through the Export Administration Regulations, provides a permanent statutory basis for controlling the export of dual-use goods (e.g., items with both civilian and military uses) and certain military parts and components. This bill applies export controls under ECRA to remote access of items, thereby allowing Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security to issue licenses and impose penalties related to remote access of controlled items.

action_date: 2024-09-09
text: 

Remote Access Security Act

This bill broadens the scope of the U.S. export control system to include remote access of controlled items if such access poses a serious risk to U.S. national security or foreign policy.

Remote access
 means access to an item subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and included on the Commerce Control List by a foreign person through a network connection, including the internet or a cloud computing service, from a location other than where the item is physically located, to use the functions of the item if such use may pose a serious risk to U.S. national security or foreign policy. This includes (1) training an artificial intelligence model that could, among other actions, substantially lower the barrier of entry for experts or nonexperts to design or use weapons of mass destruction or to enable offensive cyber operations through automated vulnerability discovery and exploitation; (2) accessing a quantum computer that could enable offensive cyber operations or other risks to national security; or (3) accessing hacking tools.

The Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), which is implemented through the Export Administration Regulations, provides a permanent statutory basis for controlling the export of dual-use goods (e.g., items with both civilian and military uses) and certain military parts and components. This bill applies export controls under ECRA to remote access of items, thereby allowing the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security to issue licenses and impose penalties related to remote access of controlled items.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-09-10
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5077-5078)
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5077-5078)
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8152.
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5077-5078)
action_date: 2024-09-09
text: Mr. Barr moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2024-05-16
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-05-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: Introduced in House