Bill > S952

This bill, known as the U.S. OUTDOOR Act, aims to make certain recreational performance outerwear duty-free and to establish a fund for research and development in the U.S. textile and apparel industry. Specifically, it amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to eliminate import duties on specific types of outdoor apparel that meet defined criteria for features like water resistance, sealed seams, and insulation, while excluding occupational outerwear. To support domestic innovation, the bill mandates the Secretary of the Treasury to collect a 1.5% fee on imported recreational performance outerwear, with some exceptions for countries with free trade agreements or specific trade preferences. These collected fees will be deposited into the Sustainable Textile and Apparel Research Fund (STAR Fund). The STAR Fund will be administered by a board of directors appointed by the President and will be used by the Secretary of Commerce to make quarterly distributions to eligible U.S. organizations. These organizations, which must have experience in applied research and represent various segments of the textile and apparel supply chain, will use the funds for research, development, and education to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in clean, eco-friendly apparel and sewn-product manufacturing. The fee collection is set to terminate after 10 years, and the bill specifies an effective date 15 days after enactment.