Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Strengthening Export Controls Compliance Act

Findings

Congress finds the following:(1)The Export Control Reform Act of 2018 calls on the Secretary of Commerce to establish a system to provide United States persons with assistance in complying with United States export controls as well as keep the public appropriately apprised of changes in policy, regulations, and procedures established under that Act.(2)The Export Control Reform Act of 2018 also calls on the Secretary of Commerce to report annually to Congress on efforts to provide exporters with compliance assistance, including specific actions to assist small- and medium-sized businesses.(3)The Bureau of Industry and Security also generally holds an annual update conference on export controls to increase the public’s and industry’s understanding of United States export controls policies, as well as provide compliance guidance and regulatory updates.

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—(1)it is critical for the national security and technological leadership of the United States that the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce consistently inform and educate United States businesses on evolving export control regulations and their implementation; and(2)seminars and trainings offered by the Bureau of Industry and Security can serve as a valuable resource for United States businesses, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, that do not have large compliance departments.

Compliance assistance

Section 1757 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4816) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:

(c)

Assistance for U.S. industry

(1)

Industry Outreach Plan

Every two years, the President shall develop and submit to Congress a plan to assist United States persons, especially small- and medium-sized United States businesses, in export licensing and other processes under this part. The plan should include the following:(A)Arrangements for the Department of Commerce to provide counseling to United States persons on filing applications and related submissions, including identifying items controlled under this part.(B)Proposals for virtual and in-person trainings, seminars, and conferences to educate United States businesses on export controls, Bureau of Industry and Security licensing procedures, and related obligations.(C)Other activities to facilitate compliance by United States businesses, including review of company compliance plans, follow-up on license conditions, and company specific consultations on specific issues.(2)

Annual conference

The Secretary shall host an annual conference, to be known as the Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy, to provide compliance assistance and policy updates to industry and other stakeholders. The conference should be listed on the Bureau of Industry and Security’s website and open to anyone from the general public. (3)

Compliance assistance for new rules

Prior to the promulgation of major new rules to carry out this part, the Bureau of Industry and Security shall carry out dedicated public and industry outreach to share details with respect to the intent and implementation of the rule, with the goal of strengthening compliance.

Amendments to the annual report

Section 1765(a) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4824(a)) is amended—(1)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking a review of;(2)in paragraph (4), insert a detailed list of before efforts;(3)in paragraph (8), strike and at the end;(4)in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(5)by adding at the end the following:

(10)information on the number of Advisory Opinion and Commodity Classification requests, including—(A)the number of requests submitted;(B)the number of Advisory Opinion or Commodity Classifications issued as a result of the requests submitted under subparagraph (A);(C)the average processing times for each category of request; and(D)the number of redacted Advisory Opinions of general applicability posted.