PARTNER Act

Bill: 119-hr-4490
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]
Introduced: 2025-07-17
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: ASEAN countries

Africa

Caribbean area

Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

Government liability

International law and treaties

International organizations and cooperation
Latest action: action_date: 2025-09-03
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-07-17
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations Act or the PARTNER Act</strong></p><p>This bill authorizes the President to extend diplomatic immunities and privileges provided by the International Organizations Immunities Act, including immunity from certain lawsuits and exemption from property taxes, to specified international regional and research organizations.&nbsp;</p><p>Specifically, the bill authorizes the President to extend these immunities and privileges to</p><ul><li>the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organization with 10 members including Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam;</li><li>the Pacific Islands Forum, a regional organization with 18 members including Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea;</li><li>the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a regional organization with 15 members and 6 associate members including Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia; and</li><li>the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), an international research organization focused on particle physics.</li></ul><p>The bill also authorizes the President to extend to the permanent observer mission of the African Union to the United Nations the privileges and immunities provided to permanent missions to the United Nations of member states.</p>

tv_txt: IIB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4490 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 3, 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations AN ACT To amend the International Organizations Immunities Act to extend privileges and immunities to certain additional international and regional organizations, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents This Act may be cited as the Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations Act or the PARTNER Act . Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Sec. 3. Extension of privileges and immunities to the European Organization For Nuclear Research (CERN). Sec. 4. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum. Sec. 5. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community. Sec. 6. Extension of certain privileges and immunities to the African Union. 2. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 18. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 3. Extension of privileges and immunities to the European Organization For Nuclear Research (CERN) The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 19. Extension of privileges and immunities to the European Organization For Nuclear Research (CERN) Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 4. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 20. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the Pacific Islands Forum in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 5. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 21. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the Caribbean Community in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 6. Extension of certain privileges and immunities to the African Union Section 12(b) of the International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288f–2(b) ) is amended: (1) by striking to extend, or enter into an agreement to extend, to the African Union Mission and inserting to extend, or enter into an agreement to extend— ; (1) to the African Union Mission ; (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) to the permanent observer mission of the African Union to the United Nations in New York, and to its members, the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the permanent missions to the United Nations of member states, and their members, subject to corresponding conditions and obligations. .

Passed the House of Representatives September 2, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4490 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the International Organizations Immunities Act to extend privileges and immunities to certain additional international and regional organizations, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents This Act may be cited as the Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations Act or the PARTNER Act . Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Sec. 3. Extension of privileges and immunities to the European Organization For Nuclear Research (CERN). Sec. 4. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum. Sec. 5. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community. Sec. 6. Extension of certain privileges and immunities to the African Union. 2. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 18. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 3. Extension of privileges and immunities to the European Organization For Nuclear Research (CERN) The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 19. Extension of privileges and immunities to the European Organization For Nuclear Research (CERN) Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 4. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 20. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the Pacific Islands Forum in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 5. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 21. Extension of privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the Caribbean Community in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 6. Extension of certain privileges and immunities to the African Union Section 12(b) of the International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288f–2(b) ) is amended: (1) by striking to extend, or enter into an agreement to extend, to the African Union Mission and inserting to extend, or enter into an agreement to extend— ; (1) to the African Union Mission ; (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) to the permanent observer mission of the African Union to the United Nations in New York, and to its members, the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the permanent missions to the United Nations of member states, and their members, subject to corresponding conditions and obligations. .

Passed the House of Representatives September 2, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4490 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 17, 2025 Mr. Castro of Texas (for himself, Mrs. Kim , Mr. Olszewski , Mr. Johnson of South Dakota , Mr. Case , Mrs. Radewagen , Mr. Foster , Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick , and Mr. Meeks ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To amend the International Organizations Immunities Act to extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to certain additional international and regional organizations, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents This Act may be cited as the Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations Act or the PARTNER Act . Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Sec. 3. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the European Organization For Nuclear Research (CERN). Sec. 4. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum. Sec. 5. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community. Sec. 6. Extension of certain privileges and immunities to the African Union. 2. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 18. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 3. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the European Organization For Nuclear Research (CERN) The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 19. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the European Organization For Nuclear Research (CERN) Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 4. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 20. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the Pacific Islands Forum in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 5. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community The International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 21. Extension of diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community Under such terms and conditions as the President shall determine, the President is authorized to extend the provisions of this title to the Caribbean Community in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as it may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation. . 6. Extension of certain privileges and immunities to the African Union Section 12(b) of the International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288f–2(b) ) is amended: (1) by striking to extend, or enter into an agreement to extend, to the African Union Mission and inserting to extend, or enter into an agreement to extend— ; (1) to the African Union Mission ; (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) to the permanent observer mission of the African Union to the United Nations in New York, and to its members, the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the permanent missions to the United Nations of member states, and their members, subject to corresponding conditions and obligations. .