Plain Language Summary
# PARTNER Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The PARTNER Act would allow the U.S. President to grant special diplomatic protections to four international organizations: ASEAN (a 10-member Southeast Asian alliance), the Pacific Islands Forum (18 members), the Caribbean Community or CARICOM (15+ members), and CERN (a European nuclear research organization). These protections would include immunity from lawsuits and exemptions from property taxes—similar to what diplomats and international organizations like the United Nations already receive. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects these organizations and their staff members working in the United States, allowing them to operate with certain legal protections. It could also impact U.S. citizens and businesses that might otherwise be able to sue these organizations or tax their U.S.
properties. The bill has broad geographic reach, affecting diplomatic relations with countries across Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. **Current Status** The bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is sponsored by Representative Joaquín Castro (D-Texas). It now awaits action in the Senate. The measure is designed to strengthen diplomatic relationships with these regional organizations by providing them with the same legal standing as other major international bodies operating in the U.S.
CRS Official Summary
Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations Act or the PARTNER ActThis 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. Specifically, the bill authorizes the President to extend these immunities and privileges tothe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organization with 10 members including Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam;the Pacific Islands Forum, a regional organization with 18 members including Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea;the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a regional organization with 15 members and 6 associate members including Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia; andthe European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), an international research organization focused on particle physics.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.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.