    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 113-296
    113th Congress

    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;

    [[Page 4076]]

    (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.

    [[Page 4077]]

    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

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    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)--

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    (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;

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    ``(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

    [[Page 4081]]

    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.

    Approved December 19, 2014.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 2673:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):
    Sept. 18, considered and passed Senate.
    Dec. 3, considered and passed House.
    DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2014):
    Dec. 19, Presidential statement.