Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act
Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act
Plain Language Summary
# Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act **What It Does:** This bill requires the Department of Commerce to give Congress yearly reports on how it's handling export licenses for sensitive items. Specifically, it tracks applications, approvals, and denials for goods and technology that have both civilian and military uses—like certain computer chips or manufacturing equipment. The reports focus on exports going to countries under U.S.
arms embargoes (countries the government has restricted from receiving weapons and military support). **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects Congress (which gains oversight), the Department of Commerce (which must do the reporting), and indirectly American companies that export controlled goods. It doesn't change what can or cannot be exported—only requires better transparency about these decisions. **Status:** The bill has already been signed into law, so these annual reports to Congress are now required.
CRS Official Summary
Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency ActThis bill requires the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to annually report to Congress on export control licensing.Under current law, BIS administers and enforces controls on the export of dual-use goods (e.g., items with both civilian and military uses) and certain military parts and components. These export controls are implemented primarily under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) through the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).Under this bill, BIS must annually report to Congress on license applications, enforcement actions, and other requests for authorization for the export, reexport, release, and in-country transfer of items subject to the EAR to covered entities. A covered entity is any entity that (1) is located or operating in a country listed in Country Group D:5 (countries that are identified by the Department of State as subject to U.S. arms embargoes), and (2) is included on the Entity List or the Military End-User List (two of the lists published by BIS containing information on the individuals, organizations, and addresses subject to restrictions involving items subject to the EAR).The bill requires this report to include specified information, such as the name of the entity submitting the application, where the item is being exported, the decision with respect to the license application or authorization, and information on related enforcement activities to ensure compliance with U.S. export controls. The information shall be exempt from public disclosure (except for aggregate statistics).
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 119-34.