[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S4773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXTENDING CERTAIN PRIVILEGES, EXEMPTIONS, AND IMMUNITIES TO HONG KONG 
                       ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICES

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar No. 49, S. 342.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 342) to extend certain privileges, exemptions, 
     and immunities to Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the bill?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
considered read for the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be 
placed at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 342) was deemed read the third time and passed, as 
follows:

                                 S. 342

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

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN PRIVILEGES, EXEMPTIONS, AND 
                   IMMUNITIES TO HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE 
                   OFFICES.

       (a) Application of International Organizations Immunities 
     Act.--The provisions of the International Organizations 
     Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.) may be extended to the 
     Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in the same manner, to 
     the same extent, and subject to the same conditions as such 
     provisions may be extended to a public international 
     organization in which the United States participates pursuant 
     to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress 
     authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for 
     such participation.
       (b) Application of International Agreement on Certain State 
     and Local Taxation.--The President is authorized to apply the 
     provisions of Article I of the Agreement on State and Local 
     Taxation of Foreign Employees of Public International 
     Organizations, done at Washington on April 21, 1994, to the 
     Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices.
       (c) Definition.--The term ``Hong Kong Economic and Trade 
     Offices'' refers to Hong Kong's official economic and trade 
     missions in the United States.

                          ____________________