[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4538 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4538

  To establish a comprehensive, long-term United States strategy and 
        policy for the Pacific Islands, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 11, 2023

   Mr. Case (for himself, Mrs. Radewagen, Mr. Bera, Mr. Sherman, Mr. 
Fitzpatrick, Ms. Titus, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Sablan, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, and 
  Mr. Meeks) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
  Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on 
Natural Resources, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To establish a comprehensive, long-term United States strategy and 
        policy for the Pacific Islands, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Boosting Long-term 
U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act'' or the ``BLUE Pacific Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Authority to consolidate reports; form of reports.
             TITLE I--POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND REGIONALISM

Sec. 101. Findings.
Sec. 102. Statement of policy.
Sec. 103. Strategy for Pacific Islands Partnership.
Sec. 104. Staffing.
Sec. 105. Assistance with international organizations.
Sec. 106. Allies and partners in the Pacific Islands region.
                 TITLE II--PEOPLE-CENTERED DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 201. Assistance to improve public health outcomes and build public 
                            health capacity.
Sec. 202. Assistance to promote freedom of the press.
Sec. 203. Program to promote educational and professional development 
                            for young adult leaders and professionals.
Sec. 204. Education assistance.
Sec. 205. Investment agreements.
                     TITLE III--PEACE AND SECURITY

Sec. 301. Building the capacity of local civilian and national security 
                            institutions.
Sec. 302. Reporting.
              TITLE IV--RESOURCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 401. Trade development with the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 402. Trade capacity building initiative for the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 403. United States Commercial Service.
                 TITLE V--CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTERS

Sec. 501. Assistance to enhance preparedness for and resilience to 
                            natural disasters and other emergencies.
Sec. 502. Climate resilient infrastructure.
                    TITLE VI--OCEAN AND ENVIRONMENT

Sec. 601. Oceans management.
Sec. 602. Sea level rise.
Sec. 603. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
                 TITLE VII--TECHNOLOGY AND CONNECTIVITY

Sec. 701. Digital access and inclusion.
Sec. 702. Cybersecurity.
TITLE VIII--REPORT ON THE STRATEGY FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS PARTNERSHIP AND 
                    AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 801. Report on the Strategy for Pacific Islands Partnership.
Sec. 802. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--Except as 
        otherwise provided, the term ``appropriate congressional 
        committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
            (2) Pacific islands.--The terms ``Pacific Islands'' means 
        the Cook Islands, the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of 
        Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated 
        States of Micronesia, the Republic of Nauru, Niue, the Republic 
        of Palau, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the 
        Independent State of Samoa, the Solomon Islands, the Kingdom of 
        Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Vanuatu.

SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO CONSOLIDATE REPORTS; FORM OF REPORTS.

    (a) Authority To Consolidate Reports.--Any reports required to be 
submitted to the appropriate congressional committees under this Act 
that are subject to deadlines for submission consisting of the same 
units of time may be consolidated into a single report that is 
submitted to appropriate congressional committees pursuant to such 
deadlines and that contains all information required under such 
reports.
    (b) Form of Reports.--Each report required to be submitted to the 
appropriate congressional committees under this Act and any 
consolidated report described in subsection (a) shall be submitted in 
unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.

             TITLE I--POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND REGIONALISM

SEC. 101. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Pacific Islands--
                    (A) are home to roughly 10,000,000 residents;
                    (B) are spread across an expanse of the Pacific 
                Ocean equivalent to 15 percent of the Earth's surface, 
                including the three subregions of Melanesia, 
                Micronesia, and Polynesia; and
                    (C) face shared challenges in development that have 
                distinct local contexts, including climate change and 
                rising sea levels, geographic distances from major 
                markets, and vulnerability to external shocks such as 
                natural disasters in both slow and sudden onset 
                situations.
            (2) The United States is a Pacific country with 
        longstanding ties and shared values and interests with the 
        Pacific Islands, including through the Compacts of Free 
        Association with the Freely Associated States, the Republic of 
        the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and 
        the Republic of Palau.
            (3) The United States has vital national security interests 
        in the Pacific Islands, including--
                    (A) protecting regional peace and security that 
                fully respects the sovereignty of all nations;
                    (B) advancing economic prosperity free from 
                coercion and unfair practices through trade and 
                sustainable development; and
                    (C) supporting democracy, good governance, the rule 
                of law, and human rights and fundamental freedoms.
            (4) Successive United States administrations have 
        recognized the importance of the Pacific region, including the 
        Pacific Islands, in high-level strategic documents, including 
        the following:
                    (A) The 2015 National Security Strategy, which 
                first declared the rebalance to Asia and the Pacific, 
                affirmed the United States as a Pacific nation, and 
                paved the way for subsequent United States engagement 
                with the Pacific Islands, including several new 
                policies focused on conservation and resilience to 
                climate change announced in September 2016.
                    (B) The 2017 National Security Strategy, which 
                includes a commitment to ``shore up fragile partner 
                states in the Pacific Islands region to reduce their 
                vulnerability to economic fluctuations and natural 
                disasters''.
                    (C) The 2019 Indo-Pacific Strategy Report, which 
                identified the Pacific Islands as ``critical to U.S. 
                strategy because of our shared values, interests, and 
                commitments'' and committed the United States to 
                ``building capacity and resilience to address maritime 
                security; Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing; 
                drug trafficking; and resilience to address climate 
                change and disaster response''.
                    (D) The 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy Report, which 
                recognized the need to engage further with the Pacific 
                Islands on shared security goals.
                    (E) The 2022 Strategy for Pacific Island 
                Partnership, which outlined goals and methods for 
                deepening the United States partnerships with Pacific 
                Island nations.
            (5) The United States has deepened its diplomatic 
        engagement with the Pacific Islands through several recent 
        initiatives, including--
                    (A) the Pacific Pledge, which provided an 
                additional $100,000,000 in 2019 and $200,000,000 in 
                2020, on top of the approximately $350,000,000 that the 
                United States provides annually to the region to 
                support shared priorities in economic and human 
                development, climate change, and more;
                    (B) the Small and Less Populous Island Economies 
                (SALPIE) Initiative launched in March 2021 to 
                strengthen United States collaboration with island 
                countries and territories, including in the Pacific 
                Islands, on COVID-19 economic challenges, long-term 
                economic development, climate change, and other shared 
                interests;
                    (C) the declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership of 
                2022 in which the United States and the Pacific Islands 
                resolved to strengthen their partnership, bolstering 
                Pacific regionalism; and
                    (D) the Partners in the Blue Pacific Initiative, a 
                new initiative, to increase diplomatic engagement and 
                coordination in the region.
            (6) The Boe Declaration on Regional Security, adopted by 
        leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, affirmed that 
        climate change ``remains the single greatest threat to the 
        livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of the peoples of the 
        Pacific'' and asserted ``the sovereign right of every Member to 
        conduct its national affairs free of external interference and 
        coercion''.
            (7) The Asian Development Bank has estimated that the 
        Pacific Islands region needs upwards of $2,800,000,000 a year 
        in investment needs through 2030, in addition to $300,000,000 a 
        year for climate mitigation and adaptation over the same 
        period.
            (8) Since 1966, thousands of Peace Corps volunteers have 
        proudly served in the Pacific Islands, building strong people-
        to-people relationships and partnerships demonstrating the 
        United States commitment to peace and sustainable development 
        in the region, including supporting education, health, and 
        economic development initiatives. Prior to the COVID-19 
        pandemic, the Peace Corps maintained its presence in four 
        countries of the Pacific Islands and has since announced plans 
        to return to and expand programs in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and 
        Vanuatu. Peace Corps volunteers continue to be in high demand 
        in the Pacific Islands and have been requested across the 
        region.

SEC. 102. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    It is the policy of the United States--
            (1) to develop and commit to a comprehensive, multifaceted, 
        and principled United States policy in the Pacific Islands 
        that--
                    (A) promotes peace, security, and prosperity for 
                all countries through a rules-based regional order that 
                respects the sovereignty, self-determination, and 
                political independence of all nations;
                    (B) preserves the Pacific Ocean as an open and 
                vibrant corridor for international maritime trade and 
                promotes trade and sustainable development that 
                supports inclusive economic growth and autonomy for all 
                nations and addresses socioeconomic and environmental 
                challenges related to public health, education, 
                renewable energy, digital connectivity, and more;
                    (C) supports regional efforts to address the 
                challenges posed by climate change, including by 
                strengthening resilience to natural disasters and 
                through responsible stewardship of natural resources 
                and the need for collective action to mitigate its 
                impacts and build resilience;
                    (D) improves civil society, strengthens democratic 
                governance and the rule of law, and promotes human 
                rights and the preservation of the region's unique 
                cultural heritages; and
                    (E) supports existing regional architecture and the 
                international rules based order and principles of 
                international law;
            (2) to support the vision, values, and objectives of 
        existing regional multilateral institutions and frameworks, 
        such as the Pacific Islands Forum and the Pacific Community, 
        including--
                    (A) the 2000 Biketawa Declaration;
                    (B) the 2014 Framework for Pacific Regionalism;
                    (C) the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security;
                    (D) the Boe Declaration Action Plan; and
                    (E) the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific 
                Continent;
            (3) to extend and amend the provisions of the Compacts of 
        Free Association, subsidiary agreements, and related United 
        States law that will expire in 2023 for the Republic of the 
        Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia and in 
        2024 for the Republic of Palau unless they are extended; and
            (4) to work closely with United States allies and partners 
        with existing relationships and interests in the Pacific 
        Islands, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Taiwan, 
        in advancing common goals.

SEC. 103. STRATEGY FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS PARTNERSHIP.

    (a) In General.--Not later than January 1, 2027, and every 4 years 
thereafter, the President shall develop and submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a strategy to be known as the ``Strategy for 
Pacific Islands Partnership'' (in this section referred to as the 
``Strategy'').
    (b) Matters To Be Included.--The Strategy shall include the 
following:
            (1) A description of overarching goals for the United 
        States-Pacific Island Partnership.
            (2) A description of measurable objectives for United 
        States engagement in the Pacific Islands.
            (3) An assessment of threats to the Pacific Islands region.
            (4) A plan to address the security of the Pacific Islands 
        region.
            (5) A strategy to invest in and improve critical 
        infrastructure.
            (6) A regional Development Cooperation Strategy formulated 
        by the United States Agency for International Development.
    (c) Consultation.--In developing the Strategy, the President should 
consult, as appropriate, with--
            (1) regional organizations, such as the Pacific Islands 
        Forum, the Pacific Islands Development Program, the Pacific 
        Community and Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment 
        Programme;
            (2) the countries of the Pacific Islands;
            (3) stakeholders such as civil society, faith-based 
        organizations, and non-state actors;
            (4) United States allies and partners; and
            (5) United States Pacific territories and States.
    (d) Coordination.--In implementing the Strategy, the President 
shall coordinate with the heads of other Federal agencies, including 
the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
Secretary of Commerce, the Administrator of United States Agency for 
International Development, the Secretary of Defense, and the United 
States Trade Representative.

SEC. 104. STAFFING.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, the Administrator of the 
United States Agency for International Development, the Secretary of 
the Treasury, and the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
International Development Finance Corporation should increase the 
number of staff working on Pacific Islands issues and in the Pacific 
Islands to carry out this Act.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Federal officials described in subsection 
(a) shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report--
            (1) detailing the number of full-time equivalent positions 
        and contractors working on Pacific Islands issues, including in 
        the Pacific Islands, to carry out this Act;
            (2) describing any planned changes to staffing levels to 
        carry out this Act and if no changes are planned providing a 
        plan to carry out this Act under current staffing levels; and
            (3) if necessary, identifying additional funding needed to 
        support staffing levels to carry out this Act.
    (c) Authorization.--The Secretary of State and the Secretary of 
Commerce are authorized to hire locally-employed staff in the Pacific 
Islands to promote increased diplomatic engagement and economic and 
commercial engagement between the United States and the Pacific 
Islands.

SEC. 105. ASSISTANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Chief Executive 
Officer of the United States International Development Finance 
Corporation, as appropriate, shall provide support and technical 
assistance to Pacific Islands countries to assist such countries to 
access existing development support and funding from international 
organizations, such as the United Nations and multilateral financial 
institutions. Such support and technical assistance may include--
            (1) technical support navigating grant programs, 
        international investment mechanisms, and other opportunities 
        offered by international organizations for sustainable 
        development;
            (2) support receiving necessary certifications and 
        complying with technical requirements to participate in 
        international financial mechanisms from which Pacific Islands 
        countries may benefit; and
            (3) support complying with reporting and oversight 
        requirements for programs conducted by international 
        organizations.
    (b) International Financial Institutions.--The Secretary of the 
Treasury should direct the representatives of the United States to the 
World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, and the Asian 
Development Bank to use the voice and vote of the United States to 
support climate resilient infrastructure projects and to build 
resilience to the impacts of climate change in the Pacific Islands.

SEC. 106. ALLIES AND PARTNERS IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS REGION.

    (a) In General.--The President, in consultation with the Secretary 
of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of 
Commerce, the Administrator of United States Agency for International 
Development, the Secretary of Defense, the United States Trade 
Representative, and any other relevant official, should consult and 
coordinate with allies and partners in the Pacific Islands region, 
including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, and regional 
institutions such as the Pacific Islands Forum, the Pacific Islands 
Development Program, the Pacific Community and Secretariat for the 
Pacific Regional Environment Programme, with respect to programs to 
provide assistance to the Pacific Islands, including programs 
established by this Act, including for purposes of--
            (1) deconflicting programming;
            (2) ensuring that any programming does not adversely affect 
        the absorptive capacity of the Pacific Islands;
            (3) ensuring complementary programs benefit the Pacific 
        Islands to the maximum extent practicable; and
            (4) ensuring that programming aligns with regional 
        development goals, as outlined by documents such as the 2050 
        Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent in order to support 
        sustainable development and promote a shared vision for the 
        future of the Pacific Islands.
    (b) Formal Consultative Process.--The President should establish a 
formal consultative process with such regional allies and partners to 
coordinate with respect to such programs and future-years programming.

                 TITLE II--PEOPLE-CENTERED DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 201. ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH OUTCOMES AND BUILD PUBLIC 
              HEALTH CAPACITY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, is authorized to assist 
the Pacific Islands to improve public health outcomes and build public 
health capacity, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    (b) Activities Supported.--Activities authorized to be carried out 
under subsection (a) may include--
            (1) programming, including grants, cooperative agreements, 
        and other forms of assistance, as appropriate, to assist in 
        building local capacity to ensure that Pacific Islanders have 
        access to the essential health services they need to thrive and 
        to address--
                    (A) maternal and child health;
                    (B) family planning and reproductive health;
                    (C) gender-based violence;
                    (D) food security and nutrition;
                    (E) noncommunicable diseases;
                    (F) communicable diseases, including neglected 
                tropical diseases, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, sexually-
                transmitted infections, and zoonotic and emerging 
                infectious disease threats;
                    (G) equitable access to quality, essential, and 
                affordable health services and quality-assured, safe, 
                effective medical products and their appropriate use; 
                and
                    (H) water, sanitation, and hygiene;
            (2) technical assistance to strengthen local health system 
        capacity and resilience in the areas of good leadership and 
        governance, sustainable financing, interoperable information 
        systems and high quality data for decision making, efficient 
        medical products and supply chain systems, and management of 
        human resources for health, with special attention to 
        increasing health worker performance, retention, productivity, 
        number, skill mix, and competency, including through exploring 
        opportunities such as private sector engagement and digital 
        health integration and access;
            (3) coordination with existing local and regional health 
        sector goals, efforts, institutions, and frameworks; and
            (4) investment in and improvement of critical 
        infrastructure, including hospitals, health clinics and 
        pharmacies in the Pacific Islands.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a report on the implementation of 
this section.

SEC. 202. ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

    The Secretary of State is authorized to provide assistance to 
promote the dissemination of free and accurate information in the 
Pacific Islands, including for the following purposes:
            (1) Media capacity building and education, including to--
                    (A) provide on-site media training tailored to 
                local needs;
                    (B) collaborate with local government and 
                nongovernmental entities to promote media literacy and 
                integrate media literacy into primary education 
                curricula in local languages and dialects to ensure 
                accessibility; and
                    (C) routinize funding for professional programs, 
                such as the Pacific Islands Journalism Reporting Tour, 
                that bring media professionals from the Pacific Islands 
                to the United States.
            (2) Strengthening and diversifying broadcast content 
        tailored to local audiences, including content broadcast in the 
        local vernacular.
            (3) Investing in connectivity infrastructure with an 
        emphasis on broadcast radio and transmission.

SEC. 203. PROGRAM TO PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 
              FOR YOUNG ADULT LEADERS AND PROFESSIONALS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that routinized 
people-to-people exchange programs to bring Pacific Islands religious 
leaders, journalists, civil society members, politicians, and others to 
the United States, as well as supporting similar exchange participants 
from the United States to the Pacific Islands, strengthens existing 
relationships and advances United States interests and shared values in 
the region.
    (b) In General.--The Secretary of State may develop and implement a 
program to promote educational and professional development for young 
adult leaders and professionals in the Pacific Islands with a 
demonstrated passion to contribute to the continued development of the 
Pacific Islands.
    (c) Conduct of Program.--The program developed under this section 
may be carried out through--
            (1) grants provided on a competitive basis to qualified 
        organizations with demonstrated expertise relating to the 
        Pacific Islands;
            (2) grants in amounts not to exceed $50,000 provided on a 
        competitive basis to qualified young leaders from the Pacific 
        Islands for the purpose of carrying out projects dedicated to 
        the improvement of their communities in the Pacific Islands;
            (3) regional workshops and professional, vocational, and 
        academic fellowships; and
            (4) people-to-people exchanges.
    (d) Briefing.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, acting 
        through the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and 
        Cultural Affairs, should brief the appropriate congressional 
        committees on exchange programs for the Pacific Islands region.
            (2) Elements.--The briefing required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include--
                    (A) an assessment of factors constraining the 
                number and frequency of International Visitor 
                Leadership Program participants from countries of the 
                Pacific Islands;
                    (B) an identification of resources that are 
                necessary to address the factors described in 
                subparagraph (A); and
                    (C) a strategy for connecting alumni and 
                participants of the Department of State's professional 
                development exchange programs in East Asia, such as the 
                Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative and the Young 
                Pacific Leaders programs, to enhance interregion and 
                intraregion people-to-people ties.

SEC. 204. EDUCATION ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) promoting basic education in the Pacific Islands, 
        particularly in traditionally underserved communities, advances 
        United States foreign policy goals and requires a whole of 
        government approach, and the United States Government currently 
        dedicates insufficient resources and attention to assisting 
        with education needs in the region;
            (2) the Peace Corps alone is insufficient to achieve United 
        States objectives of promoting sustainable, quality basic 
        education; and
            (3) countries of the Pacific Islands meet the requirements 
        outlined in subsection (c)(4) of section 105 of the Foreign 
        Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c).
    (b) Education Assistance.--The President is authorized to provide 
assistance under section 105 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
U.S.C. 2151c) to promote sustainable, quality basic education in the 
Pacific Islands, including for the following purposes:
            (1) Supporting national nutrition and health programs.
            (2) Working with partner governments to reform policies, 
        improve curricula, strengthen data systems, train teachers, and 
        provide quality learning materials.
            (3) Building new schools and renovating older facilities to 
        ensure safe places for learning.
            (4) Providing individuals, particularly at-risk youth, with 
        relevant education, training, and skills for meaningful 
        employment.
            (5) Removing barriers to entering formal education for out-
        of-school individuals, assisting in keeping them in school, and 
        providing an opportunity to catch up on schooling for those 
        left behind.
            (6) Promoting teaching and research exchanges between the 
        Pacific Islands and United States institutions of higher 
        education, including community colleges.

SEC. 205. INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States International Development Finance 
        Corporation has a dual mandate to advance United States foreign 
        policy and make highly developmental investment around the 
        world with a focus on communities most in need;
            (2) the United States International Development Finance 
        Corporation must enter into an investment incentive agreement 
        with a jurisdiction's government in order to pursue development 
        projects in that jurisdiction;
            (3) the market-based private sector development and 
        inclusive economic growth of the Solomon Islands and the 
        Republic of Vanuatu are in the United States foreign policy 
        interest;
            (4) the United States International Development Finance 
        Corporation has not entered into investment incentive 
        agreements with the government of the Solomon Islands or with 
        the government of the Republic of Vanuatu; and
            (5) the inability of the United States International 
        Development Finance Corporation to support investments in the 
        Solomon Islands and the Republic of Vanuatu undermines United 
        States policy to provide countries a robust alternative to 
        state-direct investments by authoritarian governments and 
        United States strategic competitors.
    (b) Investment Agreements.--The Chief Executive Officer of the 
United States International Development Finance Corporation, in 
coordination with the Secretary of State, shall seek to enter into 
investment incentive agreements with the governments of those Pacific 
Islands in which the United States International Development Finance 
Corporation is otherwise authorized to operate under the BUILD Act of 
2018 (22 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).
    (c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of State, in coordination 
with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Chief Executive 
Officer of the United States International Development Finance 
Corporation, as appropriate, is authorized to provide technical 
assistance to assist the Pacific Islands in negotiating and executing 
investment incentive agreements with the United States International 
Development Finance Corporation.

                     TITLE III--PEACE AND SECURITY

SEC. 301. BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL CIVILIAN AND NATIONAL SECURITY 
              INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, as 
appropriate, is authorized to provide assistance to build the capacity 
of local civilian and national security institutions of the Pacific 
Islands for purposes of--
            (1) enhancing maritime security and maritime domain 
        awareness to address challenges such as illegal, unreported, 
        and unregulated fishing;
            (2) assisting local law enforcement in detecting, 
        preventing, and combating trafficking in persons and drug 
        trafficking and other forms of transnational crime;
            (3) providing essential services to civilian populations 
        and responding to humanitarian challenges caused by natural 
        disasters;
            (4) participating in efforts by regional institutions and 
        frameworks to coordinate and facilitate cooperation on shared 
        security challenges;
            (5) expanding information sharing and working toward 
        operational coordination and interoperability among Pacific 
        Island maritime security forces, including through regional 
        fusion centers; and
            (6) providing assistance in legal actions, including hiring 
        legal counsel or providing legal support, as appropriate, to 
        support Pacific Islands in defending their rights and interests 
        related to maritime security, combating transnational crime, 
        responding to natural disasters, and participating in regional 
        security efforts.
    (b) Related Programs and Authorities.--The assistance and capacity 
building authorized by this subsection should build on the following:
            (1) The International Military Education and Training 
        program.
            (2) The Foreign Military Financing program.
            (3) The Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid 
        program.
            (4) The authority to build the capacity of foreign security 
        forces under section 333 of title 10, United States Code.
            (5) The authority to provide excess defense articles under 
        section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
        2321j).
            (6) The National Guard State Partnership Program.
            (7) The International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement 
        Program.
    (c) National Police Forces and Coast Guards.--The national police 
forces and coast guards of countries of the Pacific Islands are 
eligible to receive assistance under the programs and authorities 
described in subsection (b) (other than the programs and authorities 
described in paragraphs (1), (4), (6), and (7) of subsection (b)).

SEC. 302. REPORTING.

    (a) Updates of Certain Reports.--The Secretary of State, in 
coordination with the heads of other Federal agencies as appropriate, 
shall identify and update the reports described in subsection (b) to 
include in such reports a discussion of forms of transnational crime 
affecting the Pacific Islands.
    (b) Reports Described.--The reports described in this subsection 
are the following:
            (1) The International Narcotics Control Strategy report.
            (2) The Improving International Fisheries Management 
        report.
            (3) The Trafficking in Persons report.

              TITLE IV--RESOURCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 401. TRADE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United 
States should expand bilateral and multilateral trade with the Pacific 
Islands to promote socioeconomic development and mutual prosperity.
    (b) Trade Development.--The United States Trade Representative is 
authorized to expand and diversify trade and promote regional 
development with the Pacific Islands, including through negotiating 
trade and investment framework agreements.

SEC. 402. TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development, in coordination with the Secretary of State, 
the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Chief 
Executive Officer of the United States International Development 
Finance Corporation, and the Director of the United States Trade and 
Development Agency are authorized to implement programming to build 
trade capacity in the Pacific Islands.
    (b) Activities.--The activities authorized under this section 
include--
            (1) development of human and institutional capacity and 
        infrastructure across multiple sectors of economies, including 
        digital connectivity and cybersecurity;
            (2) assistance with development and implementation of 
        regional and international trade agreements, including the 
        World Trade Organization's Agreement on Trade Facilitation and 
        facilitation of intraregional trade flows;
            (3) support for women-owned enterprises and gender 
        equality; and
            (4) promotion of government policies that encourage free 
        and fair competition, sound governance, environmental 
        protection, and business environments conducive to sustainable 
        and inclusive economic growth.

SEC. 403. UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL SERVICE.

    The Secretary of Commerce shall expand the presence of the United 
States Commercial Service in the Pacific Islands and allocate 
additional Foreign Commercial Service Officers to the Pacific Islands, 
including by elevating existing partner posts and establishing new 
Commercial Service posts and partner posts, to--
            (1) explore opportunities for United States private sector 
        investment;
            (2) examine regulations in host countries in the Pacific 
        Islands that may hinder foreign direct investment, including 
        those related to human rights, labor rights, and environmental 
        protection, and provide technical assistance when requested by 
        such host countries; and
            (3) report on the commercial and investment activities of 
        non-allied foreign actors in the Pacific Islands.

                 TITLE V--CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTERS

SEC. 501. ASSISTANCE TO ENHANCE PREPAREDNESS FOR AND RESILIENCE TO 
              NATURAL DISASTERS AND OTHER EMERGENCIES.

    The Secretary of State is authorized to assist the Pacific Islands 
to enhance preparedness for and resilience to natural disasters and 
other emergencies. Such assistance includes--
            (1) education and training programs on natural disaster 
        prevention and preparedness for emergency management 
        professionals in the Pacific Islands, including by leveraging 
        the expertise of nonprofit organizations and institutions of 
        higher education in the United States;
            (2) technical assistance, including through grants and 
        cooperative agreements for qualified United States and local 
        nongovernmental organizations, to enhance early warning 
        systems, emergency management and preparedness procedures, and 
        post-disaster relief and recovery;
            (3) coordination of existing disaster mitigation and 
        response plans in the region, including by United States allies 
        and partners in the region;
            (4) infrastructure development and upgrades to improve 
        disaster preparedness and response, such as the construction of 
        evacuation centers, flood control measures, and communication 
        networks;
            (5) support for local community-based disaster risk 
        reduction programs, including the development of evacuation 
        plans, training in first aid and emergency response, and 
        provision of emergency supplies;
            (6) technical assistance and training to enhance the 
        capacity of local emergency response agencies, including search 
        and rescue teams, fire departments, and medical personnel;
            (7) provision of critical humanitarian assistance, such as 
        food, water, shelter, and medical care, in the aftermath of 
        disasters; and
            (8) support for programs aimed at reducing the long-term 
        impacts of disasters, such as disaster risk insurance, small 
        business recovery programs, and environmental restoration 
        initiatives.

SEC. 502. CLIMATE RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE.

    The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development, the Secretary 
of the Treasury, and the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
International Development Finance Corporation, as appropriate, is 
authorized to--
            (1) invest in and improve critical infrastructure, 
        including transport connectivity, hospitals, health clinics, 
        pharmacies, information and communications technology, food 
        security, coastal zone management, marine and water resource 
        management, and energy security and access to electricity in 
        the Pacific Islands, with an emphasis on climate resiliency and 
        sustainable development;
            (2) provide technical assistance to assist local government 
        and civil society leaders assess risks to local infrastructure, 
        especially those posed by climate change, consider and 
        implement risk mitigation efforts and policies to strengthen 
        resilience, and evaluate proposed projects and solutions for 
        their efficacy and sustainability;
            (3) support investment and improvement in ecosystem 
        conservation and protection for the long-term sustainable use 
        of ecosystem services, especially those that mitigate effects 
        of climate change and those that support food security and 
        livelihoods;
            (4) invest in and improve critical telecommunications 
        infrastructure and cybersecurity;
            (5) foster public-private partnerships and cooperation 
        among stakeholders to mobilize private sector investment and 
        innovation for sustainable infrastructure development and 
        climate resiliency in the Pacific Islands;
            (6) provide technical assistance and capacity building to 
        local governments and communities to integrate climate 
        resilience into their infrastructure planning and development 
        strategies;
            (7) develop and implement programs that promote the use of 
        renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in the 
        Pacific Islands, including through investment in clean energy 
        infrastructure and technical assistance to local utilities and 
        energy regulators;
            (8) work with regional organizations and governments to 
        promote the sustainable management of marine resources, 
        including through the development of marine protected areas and 
        ecosystem-based management approaches;
            (9) foster partnerships between Pacific Island governments 
        and research institutions to build scientific capacity and 
        support research on climate change impacts and adaptation 
        strategies in the region; and
            (10) promote the use of innovative financing mechanisms, 
        such as green bonds and climate risk insurance, to help Pacific 
        Island countries access affordable financing for climate-
        resilient infrastructure development.

                    TITLE VI--OCEAN AND ENVIRONMENT

SEC. 601. OCEANS MANAGEMENT.

    The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development and the 
Secretary of Commerce, is authorized to--
            (1) support programming that promotes fisheries 
        sustainability and marine biodiversity conservation in the 
        Pacific Islands;
            (2) support the development, adoption, and implementation 
        of regional sustainable fisheries policies, standards, and 
        regulatory frameworks;
            (3) partner with regional private sector interests in the 
        adoption and implementation of seafood industry fair-labor 
        standards and sustainable fishing practices;
            (4) provide technical assistance to assist local government 
        and civil society leaders to improve environmental and ocean 
        management; and
            (5) provide technical assistance and capacity building to 
        improve data collection and management, including through the 
        use of innovative technologies, to support sustainable 
        fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the 
        region;
            (6) support the development and implementation of 
        integrated ocean management and marine spatial planning 
        frameworks that incorporate local knowledge and community 
        input, promote ecosystem-based management approaches, and 
        address transboundary marine conservation challenges;
            (7) support research and monitoring programs to better 
        understand the impacts of climate change on oceans and 
        fisheries in the Pacific Islands and to inform evidence-based 
        management approaches;
            (8) support regional efforts to combat illegal, unreported, 
        and unregulated fishing and promote sustainable fisheries 
        practices, including through the development of traceability 
        systems and improved monitoring and enforcement capacity;
            (9) encourage private sector investment in sustainable 
        fisheries and marine conservation efforts in the Pacific 
        Islands, including through partnerships with local communities 
        and businesses; and
            (10) promote public awareness and engagement on issues 
        related to sustainable fisheries and ocean management in the 
        Pacific Islands, including through education and outreach 
        programs.

SEC. 602. SEA LEVEL RISE.

    The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development and the 
Secretary of Commerce, is authorized to provide support and technical 
assistance to Pacific Islands to address the impacts of sea level rise 
with the aim of--
            (1) protecting and mitigating the impacts of sea level rise 
        on coastal communities and their economies;
            (2) protecting and increasing the resilience of critical 
        coastal infrastructure;
            (3) preserving Pacific Islands maritime boundaries and 
        their entitlements;
            (4) preserving Pacific Islands' statehoods;
            (5) providing support to Pacific Islands to develop and 
        implement effective and just migration policies that address 
        the impacts of sea level rise on communities and provide 
        options for those who wish to migrate;
            (6) collaborating with international organizations and 
        Pacific Island to provide humanitarian assistance to those 
        affected by sea level rise, including through access to food, 
        water, and shelter; and
            (7) supporting efforts to build resilience and sustainable 
        livelihoods in affected communities, including through the 
        development of alternative economic opportunities and 
        sustainable agriculture practices.

SEC. 603. ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, AND UNREGULATED FISHING.

    Section 3553 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2020 (16 U.S.C. 8033) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
            ``(9) an assessment of gaps or limitations in the ability 
        of the United States to effectively assist priority regions and 
        priority flag states relating to IUU fishing due to resource 
        constraints and the additional resources necessary to overcome 
        those constraints; and''.

                 TITLE VII--TECHNOLOGY AND CONNECTIVITY

SEC. 701. DIGITAL ACCESS AND INCLUSION.

    The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development and the heads of 
the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the 
Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the United States Trade and 
Development Authority, is authorized to provide support to the Pacific 
Islands to--
            (1) expand access to high quality broadband and 
        telecommunications infrastructure in the Pacific Islands;
            (2) partner with regional private and public sector 
        interests to promote and expand secure and accessible broadband 
        connectivity; and
            (3) strengthen the private sector and civil society's 
        digital capacity and digital skillset.

SEC. 702. CYBERSECURITY.

    The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development and the heads of 
the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the 
Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the United States Trade and 
Development Authority, is authorized to provide support and technical 
assistance to the Pacific Islands to--
            (1) increase adoption of policies and regulatory positions 
        that encourage open, interoperable, reliable, and secure 
        digital infrastructure;
            (2) increase adoption of cybersecurity best practices in 
        the Pacific Islands, including through education and training 
        programs for government and private sector entities;
            (3) assist with the development and implementation of 
        cybersecurity strategies and policies, including incident 
        response plans and risk management frameworks;
            (4) promote international cooperation and information 
        sharing on cybersecurity threats and incidents; and
            (5) assist in the establishment and strengthening of 
        national and regional Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) 
        to enhance cyber incident detection and response capabilities.

TITLE VIII--REPORT ON THE STRATEGY FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS PARTNERSHIP AND 
                    AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 801. REPORT ON THE STRATEGY FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS PARTNERSHIP.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date on which 
the initial report on the progress in implementing the Strategy for 
Pacific Islands Partnership required by section 103 is submitted to the 
appropriate congressional committees, and not later than January 1 of 
each odd-numbered year thereafter, the President, in consultation with 
the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
Secretary of Commerce, the Administrator of United States Agency for 
International Development, the Secretary of Defense, the United States 
Trade Representative, and any other relevant official, shall submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees a report on the progress in 
implementing the Strategy for Pacific Islands Partnership.
    (b) Matters To Be Included.--The report required by subsection (a) 
shall include the following:
            (1) An assessment of the security challenges to the Pacific 
        Islands, including--
                    (A) an assessment of the status of security 
                challenges to the Pacific Islands, including as 
                outlined by regional documents such as the Boe 
                Declaration on regional security;
                    (B) an analysis of demonstrated needs of the 
                Pacific Islands for assistance, including excess 
                defense equipment and related materials with 
                humanitarian and development uses to fulfill such 
                needs;
                    (C) a review of existing security assistance 
                programs in the Pacific Islands, including programs and 
                efforts provided by United States allies and partners;
                    (D) a plan for programs for training and 
                sustainment with respect to such excess defense 
                equipment and related materials, including those with 
                humanitarian and development uses;
                    (E) a list of militaries, national police forces, 
                coast guards, and other national security forces of the 
                Pacific Islands receiving assistance under the 
                strategy;
                    (F) a plan to provide humanitarian assistance and 
                disaster relief, if necessary, through the Overseas 
                Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid program;
                    (G) a review of existing cross-border maritime law 
                enforcement operations (commonly known as ``shiprider 
                agreements'') with the Pacific Islands, an assessment 
                of additional resourcing needs to enhance operational 
                capacity, and a plan to improve on these programs and 
                operations;
                    (H) a review of existing National Guard State 
                Partnership Programs with the Pacific Islands, an 
                assessment of additional opportunities to leverage 
                National Guard State Partnership Programs to address 
                law enforcement, disaster relief and emergency 
                management, and related priorities, and a plan to 
                expand, as appropriate, existing and new National Guard 
                State Partnership Programs in the region;
                    (I) a review of current efforts and progress in 
                removing unexploded ordnance in the Pacific Islands and 
                an assessment of additional resourcing needed to ensure 
                continued progress, including to support coordination 
                with regional efforts and those of United States allies 
                and partners;
                    (J) a review of existing regional fusion centers 
                and other cooperative intelligence sharing efforts in 
                the Pacific Islands to address maritime security, 
                transnational crime, natural disasters, and other 
                security challenges and an assessment of opportunities 
                for the United States to participate in such efforts, 
                including by allocating staff and supplying resourcing;
                    (K) measures to evaluate success for the strategy; 
                and
                    (L) a detailed assessment of appropriations 
                required to achieve the objectives for the strategy in 
                future years.
            (2) An assessment of the diplomatic presence in the Pacific 
        Islands, including--
                    (A) a description of the Department of State, 
                United States Agency for International Development, 
                United States International Development Finance 
                Corporation, Millennium Challenge Corporation, United 
                States Trade and Development Authority and United 
                States Commercial Service presence, staffing, 
                programming, and resourcing of operations in the 
                Pacific Islands, including programming and resourcing 
                not specifically allocated to the Pacific Islands; and
                    (B) a description of gaps in such presence, 
                including unfilled full-time equivalent positions.
            (3) A description of coordination with regional allies, 
        including--
                    (A) a review of ongoing efforts, initiatives, and 
                programs undertaken by regional allies and partners, 
                including multilateral organizations, to advance the 
                priorities identified in this Act;
                    (B) a review of ongoing efforts, initiatives, and 
                programs undertaken by nonallied foreign actors that 
                are viewed as being potentially harmful or in any way 
                detrimental to one or more countries of the Pacific 
                Islands; and
                    (C) an assessment of United States programs in the 
                Pacific Islands and their alignment and complementarity 
                with the efforts of regional allies and partners.
            (4) A description of trade capacity building, including--
                    (A) economic opportunities for which United States 
                businesses, or those of other like-minded partners, 
                would be competitive;
                    (B) legal, economic, governance, infrastructural, 
                or other hurdles limiting United States investment in 
                the Pacific Islands; and
                    (C) steps the United States has taken to--
                            (i) develop human and institutional 
                        capacity and infrastructure across multiple 
                        sectors of economies, including digital 
                        connectivity and cybersecurity;
                            (ii) assist with development and 
                        implementation of regional and international 
                        trade agreements, including the World Trade 
                        Organization's Agreement on Trade Facilitation 
                        and facilitation of intraregional trade flows;
                            (iii) support women-owned enterprises and 
                        gender equality; and
                            (iv) promote government policies that 
                        encourage free and fair competition, sound 
                        governance, environmental protection, and 
                        business environments conducive to sustainable 
                        and inclusive economic growth.
            (5) A description of trade development, including--
                    (A) an assessment of the readiness of countries in 
                the Pacific Islands to enter into enhanced trade 
                relationships with the United States, including with 
                respect to reducing or eliminating tariff and nontariff 
                barriers inhibiting progress towards deepening trade 
                relationships;
                    (B) a review of existing regional multilateral and 
                bilateral trade agreements and preference programs 
                involving the Pacific Islands and their impacts on 
                regional trade and development; and
                    (C) an identification of opportunities to work with 
                existing regional frameworks to increase trade and 
                economic integration with the Pacific Islands.
            (6) A description of emergency preparedness for the Pacific 
        Islands, including--
                    (A) an assessment of disaster risks in the Pacific 
                Islands and existing local and regional capacity to 
                respond to such risks; and
                    (B) a review of existing efforts by United States 
                allies and partners to provide assistance and training 
                for natural disaster preparedness and emergency 
                management.
            (7) A description of activities of the Peace Corps in the 
        Pacific Islands, including--
                    (A) a comparative analysis of the Peace Corps 
                presence in the Pacific Islands region to other regions 
                of the world, including a cost-benefit analysis of 
                placement in the region versus elsewhere globally;
                    (B) an analysis of current impediments to Peace 
                Corps expansion in the Pacific Islands region;
                    (C) outcomes of consultations among United States 
                agencies, and with regional allies and partners, on 
                areas in which cooperation can reduce factors limiting 
                Peace Corps expansion, particularly those related to 
                medical transportation and personal safety; and
                    (D) a plan and timeline for implementing outcomes 
                identified to facilitate expansion of Peace Corps 
                presence in the region, where appropriate.
            (8) A description of public health and health care 
        challenges in the Pacific Islands, including health systems 
        strengthening, immunization, noncommunicable diseases, and 
        gender-based violence.
            (9) A description of resilient development in the Pacific 
        Islands, including--
                    (A) a review of foreign infrastructure developments 
                in the Pacific Islands by non-United States allies and 
                partners;
                    (B) assessments of the environmental impact and 
                sustainability of such developments;
                    (C) an analysis of the financial sustainability of 
                such developments and their impacts on the debt of host 
                countries in the Pacific Islands; and
                    (D) an analysis of the region's banking 
                infrastructure and Pacific Island access to financial 
                services.
            (10) A description of press freedom in the Pacific Islands, 
        including--
                    (A) an assessment of the national laws of the 
                Pacific Islands with respect to foreign investment in 
                media and related sectors;
                    (B) relevant licensing regulations of the Pacific 
                Islands and governmental restrictions on free 
                expression that limit the availability of diverse media 
                voices in the Pacific Islands; and
                    (C) analyses of covert efforts by foreign media 
                actors in the Pacific Islands--
                            (i) to influence, shape, or circumvent 
                        regulations in the media or telecommunication 
                        sectors; and
                            (ii) to co-opt local media and narratives.
            (11) A description of civil society engagement and 
        development, including--
                    (A) an assessment of the strength and viability of 
                civil society sectors of the Pacific Islands, including 
                legal, organizational capacity, financial, advocacy, 
                services, infrastructure, and public image sectors; and
                    (B) an identification of objectives and measures of 
                success for the program.
            (12) A description of United States Government efforts to 
        assist the Pacific Islands in the improvement of critical 
        physical and cyber infrastructure, including--
                    (A) investments in the development or improvement 
                critical infrastructure supported by the United States;
                    (B) technical assistance for the development or 
                improvement of critical infrastructure supported by the 
                United States; and
                    (C) a description of support given to Pacific 
                Islands on the expansion of telecommunications 
                infrastructure.
            (13) A description of United States Government efforts to 
        assist the Pacific Islands in accessing support from 
        international organizations.
            (14) A description of how United States Government efforts 
        align with regional development goals, as outlined in documents 
        such as the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent.
    (c) Recommendation.--Beginning on the date that is 10 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the President may submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a recommendation on the 
consolidation or elimination of any duplicative reports as required by 
this section.

SEC. 802. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated $250,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2023 through 2033 to carry out this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act.
                                 <all>