[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2673 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2673
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To enhance the strategic partnership between the United States and
Israel.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``United States-Israel Strategic
Partnership Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The people and the Governments of the United States and
of Israel share a deep and unbreakable bond, forged by over 60
years of shared interests and shared values.
(2) Today, the people and Governments of the United States
and of Israel are facing a dynamic and rapidly changing
security environment in the Middle East and North Africa,
necessitating deeper cooperation on a range of defense,
security, and intelligence matters.
(3) From Gaza, Hamas continues to deny Israel's right to
exist and persists in firing rockets indiscriminately at
population centers in Israel.
(4) Hezbollah--with support from Iran--continues to
stockpile rockets and may be seeking to exploit the tragic and
volatile security situation within Syria.
(5) The Government of Iran continues to pose a grave threat
to the region and the world at large with its reckless pursuit
of nuclear weapons.
(6) Given these challenges, it is imperative that the
United States continues to deepen cooperation with allies like
Israel in pursuit of shared policy objectives.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to reaffirm the unwavering support of the people and
the Government of the United States for the security of Israel
as a Jewish state;
(2) to reaffirm the principles and objectives enshrined in
the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of
2012 (Public Law 112-150) and ensure its implementation to the
fullest extent;
(3) to reaffirm the importance of the 2007 United States-
Israel Memorandum of Understanding on United States assistance
to Israel and the semi-annual Strategic Dialogue between the
United States and Israel;
(4) to pursue every opportunity to deepen cooperation with
Israel on a range of critical issues including defense,
homeland security, energy, and cybersecurity;
(5) to continue to provide Israel with robust security
assistance, including for the procurement of the Iron Dome
Missile Defense System; and
(6) to support the Government of Israel in its ongoing
efforts to reach a negotiated political settlement with the
Palestinian people that results in two states living side-by-
side in peace and security.
SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ISRAEL AS A MAJOR STRATEGIC PARTNER.
It is the sense of Congress that Israel is a major strategic
partner of the United States.
SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF WAR RESERVES STOCKPILE AUTHORITY.
(a) Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005.--Section
12001(d) of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public
Law 108-287; 118 Stat. 1011) is amended by striking ``more than 10
years after'' and inserting ``more than 11 years after''.
(b) Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.--Section 514(b)(2)(A) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h(b)(2)(A)) is amended by
striking ``and 2014'' and inserting ``, 2014, and 2015''.
SEC. 6. ELIGIBILITY OF ISRAEL FOR THE STRATEGIC TRADE AUTHORIZATION
EXCEPTION TO CERTAIN EXPORT CONTROL LICENSING
REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that Israel--
(1) has adopted high standards in the field of export
controls;
(2) has declared its unilateral adherence to the Missile
Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group, and the Nuclear
Suppliers Group; and
(3) is a party to--
(A) the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions
on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be
Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have
Indiscriminate Effects, signed at Geneva October 10,
1980;
(B) the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in
War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of
Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva
June 17, 1925; and
(C) the Convention on the Physical Protection of
Nuclear Material, adopted at Vienna on October 26,
1979.
(b) Eligibility for Strategic Trade Authorization Exception.--The
President, consistent with the commitments of the United States under
international arrangements, shall take steps so that Israel may be
included in the list of countries eligible for the strategic trade
authorization exception under section 740.20(c)(1) of title 15, Code of
Federal Regulations, to the requirement for a license for the export,
reexport, or in-country transfer of an item subject to controls under
the Export Administration Regulations.
SEC. 7. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL COOPERATION ON ENERGY, WATER, HOMELAND
SECURITY, AGRICULTURE, AND ALTERNATIVE FUEL TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) In General.--The President is authorized, subject to existing
law--
(1) to undertake activities in cooperation with Israel; and
(2) to provide assistance promoting cooperation in the
fields of energy, water, agriculture, and alternative fuel
technologies.
(b) Requirements.--In carrying out subsection (a), the President is
authorized, subject to existing requirements of law and any applicable
agreements or understandings between the United States and Israel--
(1) to share and exchange with Israel research, technology,
intelligence, information, equipment, and personnel, including
through sales, leases, or exchanges in kind, that the President
determines will advance the national security interests of the
United States and are consistent with the Strategic Dialogue
and pertinent provisions of law; and
(2) to enhance scientific cooperation between Israel and
the United States.
(c) Cooperative Research Pilot Programs.--The Secretary of Homeland
Security, acting through the Director of the Homeland Security Advanced
Research Projects Agency and with the concurrence of the Secretary of
State, is authorized, subject to existing law, to enter into
cooperative research pilot programs with Israel to enhance Israel's
capabilities in--
(1) border, maritime, and aviation security;
(2) explosives detection; and
(3) emergency services.
SEC. 8. REPORT ON INCREASED UNITED STATES-ISRAEL COOPERATION ON
CYBERSECURITY.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the President shall submit to Congress a report, in a classified
format or including a classified annex, as appropriate, on the
feasibility and advisability of expanding United States-Israeli
cooperation on cyber issues, including sharing and advancing
technologies related to the prevention of cybercrimes.
SEC. 9. STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM.
It shall be the policy of the United States to include Israel in
the list of countries that participate in the visa waiver program under
section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187) when
Israel satisfies, and as long as Israel continues to satisfy, the
requirements for inclusion in such program specified in such section.
SEC. 10. STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 4 OF THE UNITED STATES-
ISRAEL ENHANCED SECURITY COOPERATION ACT OF 2012.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the President shall, to the extent practicable and in an
appropriate manner, provide an update to the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives, the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, and
the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives on
current and future efforts undertaken by the President to fulfill the
objectives of section 4 of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security
Cooperation Act (22 U.S.C. 8603).
SEC. 11. IMPROVED REPORTING ON ENHANCING ISRAEL'S QUALITATIVE MILITARY
EDGE AND SECURITY POSTURE.
(a) Biennial Assessment Reevaluations.--Section 201(c) of the Naval
Vessel Transfer Act of 2008 (22 U.S.C. 2776 note) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(3) Biennial updates.--Two years after the date on which
each quadrennial report is transmitted to Congress, the
President shall--
``(A) reevaluate the assessment required under
subsection (a); and
``(B) inform and consult with the appropriate
congressional committees on the results of the
reevaluation conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A).''.
(b) Certification Requirements for Major Defense Equipment.--
Section 36(h) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(h)) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Requirements with respect to determination for major
defense equipment.--A determination under paragraph (1)
relating to the sale or export of major defense equipment shall
include--
``(A) a detailed explanation of Israel's capacity
to address the improved capabilities provided by such
sale or export;
``(B) a detailed evaluation of--
``(i) how such sale or export alters the
strategic and tactical balance in the region,
including relative capabilities; and
``(ii) Israel's capacity to respond to the
improved regional capabilities provided by such
sale or export;
``(C) an identification of any specific new
capacity, capabilities, or training that Israel may
require to address the regional or country-specific
capabilities provided by such sale or export; and
``(D) a description of any additional United States
security assurances to Israel made, or requested to be
made, in connection with, or as a result of, such sale
or export.''.
SEC. 12. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION.
(a) Findings.--Section 917(a) of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``renewable'' and
inserting ``covered'';
(2) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ``possible many'' and inserting
``possible--
``(A) many''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following: ``and
``(B) significant contributions to the development
of renewable energy and energy efficiency through the
established programs of the United States-Israel
Binational Industrial Research and Development
Foundation and the United States-Israel Binational
Science Foundation;'';
(3) in paragraph (6)--
(A) by striking ``renewable'' and inserting
``covered''; and
(B) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(4) in paragraph (7)--
(A) by striking ``renewable'' and inserting
``covered''; and
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting
a semicolon; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) United States-Israel energy cooperation and the
development of natural resources by Israel are in the strategic
interest of the United States;
``(9) Israel is a strategic partner of the United States in
water technology;
``(10) the United States can play a role in assisting
Israel with regional safety and security issues;
``(11) the National Science Foundation of the United
States, to the extent consistent with the National Science
Foundation's mission, should collaborate with the Israel
Science Foundation and the United States-Israel Binational
Science Foundation;
``(12) the United States and Israel should strive to
develop more robust academic cooperation in--
``(A) energy innovation technology and engineering;
``(B) water science;
``(C) technology transfer; and
``(D) analysis of emerging geopolitical
implications, crises and threats from foreign natural
resource and energy acquisitions, and the development
of domestic resources as a response;
``(13) the United States supports the goals of the
Alternative Fuels Administration of Israel with respect to
expanding the use of alternative fuels;
``(14) the United States strongly urges open dialogue and
continued mechanisms for regular engagement and encourages
further cooperation between applicable departments, agencies,
ministries, institutions of higher education, and the private
sector of the United States and Israel on energy security
issues, including--
``(A) identifying policy priorities associated with
the development of natural resources of Israel;
``(B) discussing and sharing best practices to
secure cyber energy infrastructure and other energy
security matters;
``(C) leveraging natural gas to positively impact
regional stability;
``(D) issues relating to the energy-water nexus,
including improving energy efficiency and the overall
performance of water technologies through research and
development in water desalination, wastewater treatment
and reclamation, water treatment in gas and oil
production processes, and other water treatment
refiners;
``(E) technical and environmental management of
deep-water exploration and production;
``(F) emergency response and coastal protection and
restoration;
``(G) academic outreach and engagement;
``(H) private sector and business development
engagement;
``(I) regulatory consultations;
``(J) leveraging alternative transportation fuels
and technologies; and
``(K) any other areas determined appropriate by the
United States and Israel;
``(15) the United States--
``(A) acknowledges the achievements and importance
of the Binational Industrial Research and Development
Foundation and the United States-Israel Binational
Science Foundation; and
``(B) supports continued multiyear funding to
ensure the continuity of the programs of the
foundations specified in subparagraph (A); and
``(16) the United States and Israel have a shared interest
in addressing immediate, near-term, and long-term energy,
energy poverty, energy independence, and environmental
challenges facing the United States and Israel,
respectively.''.
(b) Grant Program.--Section 917(b) of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``renewable energy or
energy efficiency'' and inserting ``covered energy'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at
the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) natural gas energy, including conventional
and unconventional natural gas technologies and other
associated technologies, and natural gas projects
conducted by or in conjunction with the United States-
Israel Binational Science Foundation and the United
States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and
Development Foundation; and
``(I) improvement of energy efficiency and the
overall performance of water technologies through
research and development in water desalination,
wastewater treatment and reclamation, and other water
treatment refiners.''; and
(3) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``energy efficiency or
renewable'' and inserting ``covered''.
(c) International Partnerships; Regional Energy Cooperation.--
(1) International partnerships.--Section 917 of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337) is
amended--
(A) by striking subsection (d);
(B) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection
(e);
(C) by inserting after subsection (b) the
following:
``(c) International Partnerships.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, subject to the
availability of appropriations, may enter into cooperative
agreements supporting and enhancing dialogue and planning
involving international partnerships between the Department,
including National Laboratories of the Department, and the
Government of Israel and its ministries, offices, and
institutions.
``(2) Federal share.--The Secretary may not pay more than
50 percent of Federal share of the costs of implementing
cooperative agreements entered into pursuant to paragraph (1).
``(3) Annual reports.--If the Secretary enters into
agreements authorized by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
submit an annual report to the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign Relations of
the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
that describes--
``(A) actions taken to implement such agreements;
and
``(B) any projects undertaken pursuant to such
agreements.
``(d) United States-Israel Energy Center.--The Secretary may
establish a joint United States-Israel Energy Center in the United
States leveraging the experience, knowledge, and expertise of
institutions of higher education and entities in the private sector,
among others, in offshore energy development to further dialogue and
collaboration to develop more robust academic cooperation in energy
innovation technology and engineering, water science, technology
transfer, and analysis of emerging geopolitical implications, crises
and threats from foreign natural resource and energy acquisitions, and
the development of domestic resources as a response.''; and
(D) in subsection (e), as redesignated, by striking
``the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment
of this Act'' and inserting ``September 30, 2024''.
(2) Constructive regional energy cooperation.--The
Secretary of State shall continue the ongoing diplomacy efforts
of the Secretary of State in--
(A) engaging and supporting the energy security of
Israel; and
(B) promoting constructive regional energy
cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Passed the Senate September 18, 2014.
Attest:
Secretary.
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2673
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To enhance the strategic partnership between the United States and
Israel.