U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act

Bill: 115-hr-534
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6]
Introduced: 2017-01-13
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits

Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

International organizations and cooperation

Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers

Travel and tourism
Latest action: action_date: 2017-05-08
text: Signed by President.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-01-13
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act</strong></p> <p>This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) to promote public diplomacy, global branding, and tourism to the United States.</p> <p> The Department of State shall take necessary action within 90 days for the United States to rejoin the BIE.</p>

action_date: 2017-04-25
action_desc: Passed House amended
text: <p><strong>U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 3) This bill calls for: (1) the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) to promote global branding, domestic job creation, and U.S. tourism; (2) the Department of State to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE; and (3) funding for U.S. participation in international expositions or other BIE-facilitated events to continue to be privately solicited and sourced. </p> <p>(Sec. 4) The bill authorizes the State Department to: (1) take necessary actions for the United States to rejoin the BIE, and (2) accept contributions for such purpose. </p> <p>(Sec. 5) Nothing in this bill may be construed to authorize any obligation or expenditure prohibited by provisions of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 relating to limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds by the State Department for a U.S. pavilion or exhibit at an international exposition or world's fair registered by the BIE. </p>

action_date: 2017-05-03
action_desc: Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
text: <p><strong>U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act</strong></p> <p> (Sec. 3) This bill calls for: (1) the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) to promote global branding, domestic job creation, and U.S. tourism; and (2) the Department of State to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE. </p> <p>(Sec. 4) The bill authorizes the State Department to: (1) take necessary actions for the United States to rejoin the BIE, and (2) accept contributions for such purpose. </p> <p>(Sec. 5) Nothing in this bill may be construed to authorize any obligation or expenditure prohibited by provisions of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 relating to limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds by the State Department for a U.S. pavilion or exhibit at an international exposition or world's fair registered by the BIE. Such Act is amended to prohibit State Department employees in their official capacity from soliciting funds to pay expenses for such a U.S. pavilion or exhibit. </p>

action_date: 2017-05-04
action_desc: Passed Senate amended
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on May 3, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><strong>U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act</strong></p> <p> (Sec. 3) This bill calls for: (1) the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) to promote global branding, domestic job creation, and U.S. tourism; and (2) the Department of State to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE. </p> <p>(Sec. 4) The bill authorizes the State Department to: (1) take necessary actions for the United States to rejoin the BIE, and (2) accept contributions for such purpose. </p> <p>(Sec. 5) Nothing in this bill may be construed to authorize any obligation or expenditure prohibited by provisions of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 relating to limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds by the State Department for a U.S. pavilion or exhibit at an international exposition or world's fair registered by the BIE. Such Act is amended to prohibit State Department employees in their official capacity from soliciting funds to pay expenses for such a U.S. pavilion or exhibit. </p>

action_date: 2017-05-08
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on May 3, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><strong>U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 3) This bill calls for: (1) the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) to promote global branding, domestic job creation, and U.S. tourism; and (2) the Department of State to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE. </p> <p>(Sec. 4) The bill authorizes the State Department to: (1) take necessary actions for the United States to rejoin the BIE, and (2) accept contributions for such purpose. </p> <p>(Sec. 5) Nothing in this bill may be construed to authorize any obligation or expenditure prohibited by provisions of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 relating to limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds by the State Department for a U.S. pavilion or exhibit at an international exposition or world's fair registered by the BIE. Such Act is amended to prohibit State Department employees in their official capacity from soliciting funds to pay expenses for such a U.S. pavilion or exhibit. </p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 534 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 13, 2017 Mr. Emmer (for himself, Ms. McCollum , Mr. Ellison , Mr. Nolan , Mr. Peterson , Mr. Paulsen , Mr. Lewis of Minnesota , Mr. Walz , and Mr. Weber of Texas ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To require the Secretary of State to take such actions as may be necessary for the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) is a treaty-based organization, with 169 member states, responsible for governing World Fairs and International Expositions since the signing of the Convention Concerning International Expositions on November 22, 1928. The United States is a party to the Convention. (2) The United States withdrew from membership in the BIE in 2001 in response to congressional limitations on the expenditure of funds for United States participation. (3) The United States and other non-members of the BIE face significantly higher costs to host and to participate in international expositions because of their non-member status. (4) The bid of a United States city, region, or State to host an international exposition is unlikely to be successful if the United States is not a member of the BIE, because BIE rules require that members receive a preference over non-members for all such bids. (5) Since the United States was previously a member of the BIE, and has already acceded to the Convention, no formal congressional action is necessary for the United States to rejoin the BIE. (6) Section 1(a) of Public Law 91–269 ( 22 U.S.C. 2801(a) ) found that international expositions … have a significant impact on the economic growth of the region surrounding the exposition and … are important instruments of national policy . 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) there are no statutory provisions that prohibit the United States from rejoining the BIE; (2) the United States should rejoin the BIE immediately to promote public diplomacy, global branding, and tourism to the United States; and (3) the Secretary of State, in partnership with the Secretary of Commerce, State and local governments, and private and non-profit entities, should take all necessary steps to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE. 4. Authorization (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall take such actions as may be necessary for the United States to rejoin the BIE, notwithstanding any prohibitions under section 204 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 ( 22 U.S.C. 2452b ). (b) Report The Secretary of State shall inform the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate upon submitting a request to rejoin the BIE.

tv_txt: IIB 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 534 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 26, 2017 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations AN ACT To require the Secretary of State to take such actions as may be necessary for the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) is the organization responsible for governing World Fairs and International Expositions. (2) Section 1(a) of Public Law 91–269 ( 22 U.S.C. 2801(a) ) found that international expositions * * * have a significant impact on the economic growth of the region surrounding the exposition and * * * are important instruments of national policy . (3) The United States has not been an active member of the BIE since 2001. (4) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have continued to participate in international expositions held in foreign countries as a means of promoting United States exports and creating jobs, but face significantly higher costs for such participation because the United States is not an active member. (5) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have expressed interest in an international exposition being hosted in the United States, but the bid of a United States city, region, or State to host an international exposition is unlikely to be successful if the United States is not a member of the BIE. 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should rejoin the BIE immediately to promote domestic job creation, global branding, and tourism to the United States; (2) the Secretary of State, in partnership with the Secretary of Commerce, State and local governments, and private and non-profit entities, should take all necessary steps to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE; and (3) funding for the participation of the United States in international expositions or other events facilitated by the BIE should continue to be privately solicited and sourced, in accordance with existing law. 4. Authorization (a) In general The Secretary of State is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary determines necessary for the United States to rejoin and maintain membership in the BIE. (b) Authorization to accept private contributions In addition to funds otherwise available to the Secretary to carry out this section, the Secretary is authorized to accept contributions for such purpose. (c) Notification The Secretary of State shall notify the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate upon taking any action under subsection (a) . 5. Continuation of prohibition on use of Federal funds for world’s fair pavilions and exhibits Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize any obligation or expenditure prohibited by section 204 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 ( 22 U.S.C. 2452b ) (relating to limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds by the Department of State for a United States pavilion or exhibit at an international exposition or world’s fair registered by the BIE).

Passed the House of Representatives April 25, 2017. Karen L. Haas, Clerk

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 534 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require the Secretary of State to take such actions as may be necessary for the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) is the organization responsible for governing World Fairs and International Expositions. (2) Section 1(a) of Public Law 91–269 ( 22 U.S.C. 2801(a) ) found that international expositions * * * have a significant impact on the economic growth of the region surrounding the exposition and * * * are important instruments of national policy . (3) The United States has not been an active member of the BIE since 2001. (4) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have continued to participate in international expositions held in foreign countries as a means of promoting United States exports and creating jobs, but face significantly higher costs for such participation because the United States is not an active member. (5) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have expressed interest in an international exposition being hosted in the United States, but the bid of a United States city, region, or State to host an international exposition is unlikely to be successful if the United States is not a member of the BIE. 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should rejoin the BIE immediately to promote domestic job creation, global branding, and tourism to the United States; (2) the Secretary of State, in partnership with the Secretary of Commerce, State and local governments, and private and non-profit entities, should take all necessary steps to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE; and (3) funding for the participation of the United States in international expositions or other events facilitated by the BIE should continue to be privately solicited and sourced, in accordance with existing law. 4. Authorization (a) In general The Secretary of State is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary determines necessary for the United States to rejoin and maintain membership in the BIE. (b) Authorization to accept private contributions In addition to funds otherwise available to the Secretary to carry out this section, the Secretary is authorized to accept contributions for such purpose. (c) Notification The Secretary of State shall notify the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate upon taking any action under subsection (a) . 5. Continuation of prohibition on use of Federal funds for world’s fair pavilions and exhibits Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize any obligation or expenditure prohibited by section 204 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 ( 22 U.S.C. 2452b ) (relating to limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds by the Department of State for a United States pavilion or exhibit at an international exposition or world’s fair registered by the BIE).

Passed the House of Representatives April 25, 2017. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H.R. 534 In the Senate of the United States, May 4, 2017. Amendment:

That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 534) entitled An Act to require the Secretary of State to take such actions as may be necessary for the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions, and for other purposes. , do pass with the following Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) is the organization responsible for governing World Fairs and International Expositions. (2) Section 1(a) of Public Law 91–269 ( 22 U.S.C. 2801(a) ) found that international expositions . . . have a significant impact on the economic growth of the region surrounding the exposition and . . . are important instruments of national policy . (3) The United States has not been an active member of the BIE since 2001. (4) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have continued to participate in international expositions held in foreign countries as a means of promoting United States exports and creating jobs, but face significantly higher costs for such participation because the United States is not an active member. (5) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have expressed interest in an international exposition being hosted in the United States, but the bid of a United States city, region, or State to host an international exposition is unlikely to be successful if the United States is not a member of the BIE. 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should rejoin the BIE immediately to promote domestic job creation, global branding, and tourism to the United States; and (2) the Secretary of State, in partnership with the Secretary of Commerce, State and local governments, and private and non-profit entities, should take all necessary steps to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE. 4. Authorization (a) In general The Secretary of State is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary determines necessary for the United States to rejoin and maintain membership in the BIE. (b) Authorization To accept private contributions In addition to funds otherwise available to the Secretary to carry out this section, the Secretary is authorized to accept contributions for such purpose. (c) Notification The Secretary of State shall notify the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate upon taking any action under subsection (a) . 5. Continuation of prohibition on use of Federal funds for world's fair pavilions and exhibits (a) Continuation of prohibition Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize any obligation or expenditure prohibited by section 204 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 ( 22 U.S.C. 2452b ) (relating to limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds by the Department of State for a United States pavilion or exhibit at an international exposition or world’s fair registered by the BIE). (b) Prohibition on solicitation of funds Section 204(b)(1)(C) of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 ( 22 U.S.C. 2452b(b)(1)(C) ) is amended by inserting after expositions the following: , except that no employees of the Department of State may, in their official capacity, solicit funds to pay expenses for a United States pavilion or other major exhibit at any international exposition or world’s fair registered by the Bureau of International Expositions .

Secretary

tv_txt: I One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of America At the First Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the third day of January, two thousand and seventeen H. R. 534 AN ACT To require the Secretary of State to take such actions as may be necessary for the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) is the organization responsible for governing World Fairs and International Expositions. (2) Section 1(a) of Public Law 91–269 ( 22 U.S.C. 2801(a) ) found that international expositions . . . have a significant impact on the economic growth of the region surrounding the exposition and . . . are important instruments of national policy . (3) The United States has not been an active member of the BIE since 2001. (4) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have continued to participate in international expositions held in foreign countries as a means of promoting United States exports and creating jobs, but face significantly higher costs for such participation because the United States is not an active member. (5) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have expressed interest in an international exposition being hosted in the United States, but the bid of a United States city, region, or State to host an international exposition is unlikely to be successful if the United States is not a member of the BIE. 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should rejoin the BIE immediately to promote domestic job creation, global branding, and tourism to the United States; and (2) the Secretary of State, in partnership with the Secretary of Commerce, State and local governments, and private and non-profit entities, should take all necessary steps to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE. 4. Authorization (a) In general The Secretary of State is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary determines necessary for the United States to rejoin and maintain membership in the BIE. (b) Authorization To accept private contributions In addition to funds otherwise available to the Secretary to carry out this section, the Secretary is authorized to accept contributions for such purpose. (c) Notification The Secretary of State shall notify the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate upon taking any action under subsection (a) . 5. Continuation of prohibition on use of Federal funds for world's fair pavilions and exhibits (a) Continuation of prohibition Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize any obligation or expenditure prohibited by section 204 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 ( 22 U.S.C. 2452b ) (relating to limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds by the Department of State for a United States pavilion or exhibit at an international exposition or world’s fair registered by the BIE). (b) Prohibition on solicitation of funds Section 204(b)(1)(C) of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 ( 22 U.S.C. 2452b(b)(1)(C) ) is amended by inserting after expositions the following: , except that no employees of the Department of State may, in their official capacity, solicit funds to pay expenses for a United States pavilion or other major exhibit at any international exposition or world’s fair registered by the Bureau of International Expositions .

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 48 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 534 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 26, 2017 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations May 3, 2017 Reported by Mr. Corker , with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic AN ACT To require the Secretary of State to take such actions as may be necessary for the United States to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) is the organization responsible for governing World Fairs and International Expositions. (2) Section 1(a) of Public Law 91–269 ( 22 U.S.C. 2801(a) ) found that international expositions * * * have a significant impact on the economic growth of the region surrounding the exposition and * * * are important instruments of national policy . (3) The United States has not been an active member of the BIE since 2001. (4) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have continued to participate in international expositions held in foreign countries as a means of promoting United States exports and creating jobs, but face significantly higher costs for such participation because the United States is not an active member. (5) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have expressed interest in an international exposition being hosted in the United States, but the bid of a United States city, region, or State to host an international exposition is unlikely to be successful if the United States is not a member of the BIE. 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should rejoin the BIE immediately to promote domestic job creation, global branding, and tourism to the United States; (2) the Secretary of State, in partnership with the Secretary of Commerce, State and local governments, and private and non-profit entities, should take all necessary steps to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE; and (3) funding for the participation of the United States in international expositions or other events facilitated by the BIE should continue to be privately solicited and sourced, in accordance with existing law. 4. Authorization (a) In general The Secretary of State is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary determines necessary for the United States to rejoin and maintain membership in the BIE. (b) Authorization to accept private contributions In addition to funds otherwise available to the Secretary to carry out this section, the Secretary is authorized to accept contributions for such purpose. (c) Notification The Secretary of State shall notify the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate upon taking any action under subsection (a) . 5. Continuation of prohibition on use of Federal funds for world’s fair pavilions and exhibits Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize any obligation or expenditure prohibited by section 204 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 ( 22 U.S.C. 2452b ) (relating to limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds by the Department of State for a United States pavilion or exhibit at an international exposition or world’s fair registered by the BIE).

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) is the organization responsible for governing World Fairs and International Expositions. (2) Section 1(a) of Public Law 91–269 ( 22 U.S.C. 2801(a) ) found that international expositions . . . have a significant impact on the economic growth of the region surrounding the exposition and . . . are important instruments of national policy . (3) The United States has not been an active member of the BIE since 2001. (4) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have continued to participate in international expositions held in foreign countries as a means of promoting United States exports and creating jobs, but face significantly higher costs for such participation because the United States is not an active member. (5) State and local governments and private entities in the United States have expressed interest in an international exposition being hosted in the United States, but the bid of a United States city, region, or State to host an international exposition is unlikely to be successful if the United States is not a member of the BIE. 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should rejoin the BIE immediately to promote domestic job creation, global branding, and tourism to the United States; and (2) the Secretary of State, in partnership with the Secretary of Commerce, State and local governments, and private and non-profit entities, should take all necessary steps to facilitate the timely submission of a request to rejoin the BIE. 4. Authorization (a) In general The Secretary of State is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary determines necessary for the United States to rejoin and maintain membership in the BIE. (b) Authorization to accept private contributions In addition to funds otherwise available to the Secretary to carry out this section, the Secretary is authorized to accept contributions for such purpose. (c) Notification The Secretary of State shall notify the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate upon taking any action under subsection (a) . 5. Continuation of prohibition on use of Federal funds for world's fair pavilions and exhibits (a) Continuation of prohibition Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize any obligation or expenditure prohibited by section 204 of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 ( 22 U.S.C. 2452b ) (relating to limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds by the Department of State for a United States pavilion or exhibit at an international exposition or world’s fair registered by the BIE). (b) Prohibition on solicitation of funds Section 204(b)(1)(C) of the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 ( 22 U.S.C. 2452b(b)(1)(C) ) is amended by inserting after expositions the following: , except that no employees of the Department of State may, in their official capacity, solicit funds to pay expenses for a United States pavilion or other major exhibit at any international exposition or world’s fair registered by the Bureau of International Expositions .

May 3, 2017 Reported with an amendment