Bill > HR4979

Introduced Session

To extend the Generalized System of Preferences and to make technical changes to the competitive need limitations provision of the program. (Sec. 1) This bill extends the Generalized System of Preferences (a U.S. trade preference program that provides duty-free access to imports on products from certain developing countries) through 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative, within one year of this bill's enactment and annually thereafter through December 31, 2020, must report to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee on efforts to ensure that countries designated as beneficiary developing countries under the Trade Act of 1974 are meeting the eligibility criteria set forth in that Act. (Sec. 2) The Trade Act of 1974 is amended to modify the deadline for the review process with respect to the competitive needs limitation. (The competitive need limitation terminates duty-free treatment with respect to articles from a beneficiary developing country if certain import limits are exceeded.) (Sec. 3) The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 is amended to extend through August 1, 2027, the authority for customs user fees for the processing of merchandise formally entered or released into the United States.

Committee Categories

David Reichert (R)*,  Kevin Brady (R),  Carlos Curbelo (R),  Drew Ferguson (R),  Mike Kelly (R),  Kenny Marchant (R),  Patrick Meehan (R),  Richard Neal (D),  Bill Pascrell (D),  Erik Paulsen (R),  Adrian Smith (R),  Jackie Walorski (R), 

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (on 02/14/2018)

Official Document