To support United States investment opportunities, strengthen bilateral collaboration in addressing criminal elements operating in the Brazilian Amazon, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-hr-8471
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced: 2024-05-21
Policy area: International Affairs
Latest action: action_date: 2024-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8471 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 21, 2024 Mr. Connolly (for himself, Ms. Salazar , and Ms. Kamlager-Dove ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs , and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To support United States investment opportunities, strengthen bilateral collaboration in addressing criminal elements operating in the Brazilian Amazon, and for other purposes.

1. Definitions In this Act: (1) Crimes The term crimes means— (A) any crime related or contributing to the illegal fishing and wildlife trade, illicit mining, or illegal logging and land-clearing in the Brazilian Amazon; and (B) associated corruption, financial crimes, and violent crimes (as such terms are defined by the laws of Brazil). (2) International financial institutions The term international financial institutions means— (A) the World Bank Group; (B) the Inter-American Development Bank Group; and (C) the International Monetary Fund. (3) Relevant federal agencies The term relevant Federal agencies means— (A) the Department of State; (B) the United States Agency for International Development; (C) the Department of Justice; (D) the Department of the Treasury; (E) the Department of Homeland Security; (F) the Department of Agriculture; (G) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (H) the Department of the Interior; and (I) any other Federal agency that the President determines is a relevant Federal agency for purposes of this Act. 2. Identifying investment opportunities in the Brazilian Amazon (a) Business development The Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation should consider placing a staff member in Brazil with duties that include— (1) identifying and implementing more sustainable and viable economic opportunities in the Brazilian Amazon; and (2) identifying possible investment risks and mitigation measures related to operations and actors that contribute to criminal activity in the Brazilian Amazon. (b) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation shall submit a report to Congress that describes— (1) the opportunities identified pursuant to subsection (a)(1); and (2) the most significant barriers to greater investment in sustainable and viable economic opportunities in the Brazilian Amazon. 3. Combating criminal elements operating in the Brazilian Amazon (a) In general The Secretary of State should direct the Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies and the United States mission in Brazil, to prioritize supporting Brazil’s efforts to identify and disrupt the complex and transnational criminal networks contributing to the destruction of communities and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon by providing capacity building and technical assistance, including— (1) information sharing, training, and capacity-building for Brazilian agencies, including through United States Government agencies; (2) collaborating on tracing funds generated from crimes; (3) supporting investigations of crimes that are associated with deforestation, environmental degradation, money laundering, asset laundering, or corruption offenses; (4) assisting with the identification of the proceeds of such crimes to help facilitate asset recovery; and (5) providing appropriate United States assistance to funding mechanisms consistent with the goals of this Act. (b) Community assistance The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, in consultation with relevant Federal agencies, should provide financial and technical assistance to help prevent crimes by supporting— (1) sustainable, lawful livelihoods in the Brazilian Amazon; (2) the protection of rights and authorities for Indigenous Peoples and local communities; (3) economic activities and natural resource management, including mining, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable forest-based activities; and (4) the management of protected areas, including indigenous territories, buffer zones, water resources, terrestrial and aquatic habitats of species deemed to be threatened by extinction, and other spaces vulnerable to conversion and deforestation. (c) Annual report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for the following 5 years, the Secretary of State, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations, shall submit a report to Congress that describes the progress made in carrying out subsections (a) and (b). (d) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State up to $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2025 through 2028, which should be used to help Brazilian authorities combat crimes in accordance with subsections (a) and (b). 4. Report on certain drivers of deforestation and environmental degradation in the Brazilian Amazon Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, shall submit a report to Congress regarding certain drivers of deforestation and environmental degradation in the Brazilian Amazon that includes— (1) a description of the agricultural commodities, illegal timber, minerals, and wildlife entering the United States market that are contributing to deforestation and environmental degradation of the Brazilian Amazon; (2) a description of the role of the People’s Republic of China’s in facilitating illicit resource extraction and environmental degradation, including deforestation, in the Brazilian Amazon; (3) the funding levels and efficacy of United States foreign assistance programs in identifying and disrupting the criminal elements operating in the Brazilian Amazon; and (4) an assessment of the Government of Brazil’s contributions to countering criminal elements operating in the Brazilian Amazon. 5. International cooperation Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including any Executive order), the Secretary of the Treasury should direct the United States executive director to each international financial institution, in consultation with relevant Federal agencies, to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States— (1) to prioritize promoting sustainable and broad-based development in the Brazilian Amazon; and (2) to oppose any loans or programs at any such institution that would facilitate or exacerbate deforestation and environmental degradation in the Brazilian Amazon.