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Public Law114th CongressInternational Affairs
H.R. 1493Became Law

Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act

This bill became law

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Law

What it doesSummary public law (May 9, 2016)

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on April 13, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the President should establish an interagency coordinating committee to coordinate and advance executive branch efforts to protect and preserve international cultural property at risk from political instability, armed conflict, or natural or other disasters.

(Sec. 3) The President shall apply specified import restrictions with respect to any archaeological or ethnological material of Syria:

  • within 90 days;
  • without regard to whether Syria is a state party to the convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property (adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization); and
  • notwithstanding the requirement that an emergency condition applies.

The President shall at least once a year determine whether at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) Syria is incapable of fulfilling the requirements to request an agreement pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, and (2) it would be against the U.S. national interest to enter into such an agreement.

The President may waive such import restrictions for specified cultural property if the President certifies to Congress that: (1) the foreign owner or custodian of the specified cultural property has requested that the property be temporarily located in the United States for protection purposes, (2) the property shall be returned upon request to the foreign owner or custodian, and (3) the grant of a waiver will not contribute to illegal trafficking in cultural property or financing of criminal or terrorist activities.

Any archaeological or ethnological material that enters the United States pursuant to a waiver shall have immunity from seizure under P.L. 89-259 (which provides immunity from seizure for cultural items imported for temporary exhibition.)

(Sec. 4) The President shall report annually to Congress on executive branch efforts to protect and preserve international cultural property.

What just happenedMay 9, 2016

Became Public Law No: 114-151.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16](D-NY)Sponsor
8 cosponsors5 D3 R
Read on Congress.gov
8cosponsors5committees37actions1amendments1related bills18subjects
  1. May 9, 2016President

    Became Public Law No: 114-151.

  2. May 9, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 114-151.

  3. May 9, 2016President

    Signed by President.

  4. May 9, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Apr 29, 2016Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Apr 29, 2016President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Apr 26, 2016ResolvingDifferencesH41931

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Apr 26, 2016ResolvingDifferencesH41610

    On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H1984-1985)

  9. Apr 26, 2016NotUsed19500

    Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H1984-1985)

  10. Apr 26, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1493.

  11. Apr 26, 2016ResolvingDifferencesH40140

    Mr. Royce moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H1984-1987)

  12. Apr 14, 2016Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  13. Apr 13, 2016Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  14. Apr 13, 2016Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  15. Apr 13, 2016Floor

    The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (text of committee substitute as amended: CR S2062-2063)

  16. Apr 13, 2016Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2062-2063)

  17. Feb 2, 2016Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 360.

  18. Feb 2, 2016Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  19. Feb 2, 2016Committee14000

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  20. Jan 28, 2016Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  21. Jun 2, 2015IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  22. Jun 1, 2015FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  23. Jun 1, 2015FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3627-3629)

  24. Jun 1, 2015Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3627-3629)

  25. Jun 1, 2015FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1493.

  26. Jun 1, 2015FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3627-3632)

  27. Jun 1, 2015FloorH30300

    Mr. Chabot moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  28. Apr 23, 2015Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  29. Apr 23, 2015Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  30. Mar 27, 2015Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

    Trade Subcommittee
  31. Mar 19, 2015IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, and the Judiciary, 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.

    Judiciary Committee
  32. Mar 19, 2015IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, and the Judiciary, 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.

    Armed Services Committee
  33. Mar 19, 2015IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, and the Judiciary, 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.

    Ways and Means Committee
  34. Mar 19, 2015IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, and the Judiciary, 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.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  35. Mar 19, 2015IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, and the Judiciary, 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.

  36. Mar 19, 2015IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  37. Mar 19, 2015IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawMay 9, 201649

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on April 13, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the President should establish an interagency coordinating committee to coordinate and advance executive branch efforts to protect and preserve international cultural property at risk from political instability, armed conflict, or natural or other disasters.

(Sec. 3) The President shall apply specified import restrictions with respect to any archaeological or ethnological material of Syria:

  • within 90 days;
  • without regard to whether Syria is a state party to the convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property (adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization); and
  • notwithstanding the requirement that an emergency condition applies.

The President shall at least once a year determine whether at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) Syria is incapable of fulfilling the requirements to request an agreement pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, and (2) it would be against the U.S. national interest to enter into such an agreement.

The President may waive such import restrictions for specified cultural property if the President certifies to Congress that: (1) the foreign owner or custodian of the specified cultural property has requested that the property be temporarily located in the United States for protection purposes, (2) the property shall be returned upon request to the foreign owner or custodian, and (3) the grant of a waiver will not contribute to illegal trafficking in cultural property or financing of criminal or terrorist activities.

Any archaeological or ethnological material that enters the United States pursuant to a waiver shall have immunity from seizure under P.L. 89-259 (which provides immunity from seizure for cultural items imported for temporary exhibition.)

(Sec. 4) The President shall report annually to Congress on executive branch efforts to protect and preserve international cultural property.

Passed Senate amendedApr 13, 201635

Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the President should establish an interagency coordinating committee to coordinate and advance executive branch efforts to protect and preserve international cultural property at risk from political instability, armed conflict, or natural or other disasters.

(Sec. 3) The President shall apply specified import restrictions with respect to any archaeological or ethnological material of Syria:

  • within 90 days;
  • without regard to whether Syria is a state party to the convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property (adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization); and
  • notwithstanding the requirement that an emergency condition applies.

The President shall at least once a year determine whether at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) Syria is incapable of fulfilling the requirements to request an agreement pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, and (2) it would be against the U.S. national interest to enter into such an agreement.

The President may waive such import restrictions for specified cultural property if the President certifies to Congress that: (1) the foreign owner or custodian of the specified cultural property has requested that the property be temporarily located in the United States for protection purposes, (2) the property shall be returned upon request to the foreign owner or custodian, and (3) the grant of a waiver will not contribute to illegal trafficking in cultural property or financing of criminal or terrorist activities.

Any archaeological or ethnological material that enters the United States pursuant to a waiver shall have immunity from seizure under P.L. 89-259 (which provides immunity from seizure for cultural items imported for temporary exhibition.)

(Sec. 4) The President shall report annually to Congress on executive branch efforts to protect and preserve international cultural property.

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Feb 2, 20161

Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the President should establish an interagency coordinating committee to coordinate and advance executive branch efforts to protect and preserve international cultural property at risk from political instability, armed conflict, or natural or other disasters.

(Sec. 3) The President shall apply specified import restrictions with respect to any archaeological or ethnological material of Syria:

  • within 90 days;
  • without regard to whether Syria is a state party to the convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property (adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization); and
  • notwithstanding the requirement that an emergency condition applies.

The President shall at least once a year determine whether at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) Syria is incapable of fulfilling the requirements to request an agreement pursuant to the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, and (2) it would be against the U.S. national interest to enter into such an agreement.

The President may waive such import restrictions for specified cultural property if the President certifies to Congress that: (1) the foreign owner or custodian of the specified cultural property has requested that the property be temporarily located in the United States for protection purposes, (2) the property shall be returned upon request to the foreign owner or custodian, and (3) the grant of a waiver will not contribute to illegal trafficking in cultural property or financing of criminal or terrorist activities.

Any archaeological or ethnological material that enters the United States pursuant to a waiver shall have immunity from seizure under P.L. 89-259 (which provides immunity from seizure for cultural items imported for temporary exhibition.)

(Sec. 4) The President shall report annually to Congress on executive branch efforts to protect and preserve international cultural property.

Passed House amendedJun 1, 201536

Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act

(Sec. 4) Directs the Department of State to designate a Department employee at the Assistant Secretary level or above to serve concurrently as the U.S. Coordinator for International Cultural Property Protection to:

  • coordinate and promote federal agency efforts to address international cultural property protection activities;
  • support activities to assist countries that are the principal sources of trafficked cultural property to protect cultural heritage sites and to prevent cultural property looting and theft;
  • develop strategies to reduce illegal trade and trafficking in international cultural property in the United States and abroad, including by reducing consumer demand for such trade; and
  • Chair the Coordinating Committee on International Cultural Property Protection.

(Sec. 5) Establishes a Coordinating Committee on International Cultural Property Protection to facilitate the Coordinator's work.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Department, through the U.S. Coordinator for International Cultural Property Protection, to report to Congress annually for seven years regarding activities of the U.S. Coordinator and the Coordinating Committee, the Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice to protect international cultural property.

(Sec. 7) Authorizes any agency involved in international cultural property protection activities to enter into agreements with the Smithsonian Institution to engage Smithsonian personnel temporarily to assist in such activities.

(Sec. 8) Directs the President to apply specified import restrictions with respect to any archaeological or ethnological material of Syria as if Syria were a State Party to the Convention on prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property.

Sets forth the conditions for termination of such restrictions.

Authorizes the President to waive such import restrictions for specified cultural property if the President certifies to Congress that:

  • the foreign owner or custodian of the specified cultural property has requested that such property be temporarily located in the United States for protection purposes,
  • such property shall be returned upon request to the foreign owner or custodian, and
  • the grant of a waiver will not contribute to illegal trafficking in cultural property or financing of criminal or terrorist activities.
Introduced in HouseMar 19, 2015

Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act

Directs the Department of State to designate a Department employee at the Assistant Secretary level or above to serve concurrently as the United States Coordinator for International Cultural Property Protection to coordinate and promote federal agency efforts to address international cultural property protection activities.

Establishes a Coordinating Committee on International Cultural Property Protection to facilitate the Coordinator's work.

Authorizes any agency involved in international cultural property protection activities to enter into agreements with the Smithsonian Institution to engage Smithsonian personnel temporarily to assist in such activities.

Directs the President to apply specified import restrictions with respect to any archaeological or ethnological material of Syria as if Syria were a State Party to the Convention on prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property.

Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act — Informed