,,ii ,calendar ,no4 #dib #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bfgc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #bh1 #bjad ,mrs4 ,boxer 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,blunt1 ,ms4 ,ayotte1 ,mr4 ,begich1 ,mr4 ,bennet1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,mr4 ,boozman1 ,mr4 ,brown1 ,mr4 ,burr1 ,ms4 ,cantwell1 ,mr4 ,cardin1 ,mr4 ,carper1 ,mr4 ,casey1 ,mr4 ,chambliss1 ,mr4 ,cochran1 ,ms4 ,collins1 ,mr4 ,coons1 ,mr4 ,cornyn1 ,mr4 ,crapo1 ,mr4 ,cruz1 ,mr4 ,donnelly1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mr4 ,flake1 ,mr4 ,franken1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,mr4 ,graham1 ,mr4 ,grassley1 ,mrs4 ,hagan1 ,mr4 ,hatch1 ,mr4 ,heinrich1 ,ms4 ,heitkamp1 ,mr4 ,heller1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,hoeven1 ,mr4 ,isakson1 ,mr4 ,johanns1 ,mr4 ,johnson of ,south ,dakota1 ,mr4 ,kaine1 ,mr4 ,king1 ,mr4 ,kirk1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 ,ms4 ,landrieu1 ,mr4 ,levin1 ,mr4 ,manchin1 ,mr4 ,markey1 ,mr4 ,mc,cain1 ,mrs4 ,mc,caskill1 ,mr4 ,menendez1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,ms4 ,mikulski1 ,mr4 ,moran1 ,ms4 ,murkowski1 ,mr4 ,murphy1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 ,mr4 ,nelson1 ,mr4 ,portman1 ,mr4 ,pryor1 ,mr4 ,reed1 ,mr4 ,risch1 ,mr4 ,roberts1 ,mr4 ,rubio1 ,mr4 ,schatz1 ,mr4 ,schumer1 ,mr4 ,scott1 ,mrs4 ,shaheen1 ,mr4 ,shelby1 ,ms4 ,stabenow1 ,mr4 ,tester1 ,mr4 ,thune1 ,mr4 ,udall of ,colorado1 ,mr4 ,udall of ,new ,mexico1 ,mr4 ,vitter1 ,mr4 ,walsh1 ,mr4 ,warner1 ,ms4 ,warren1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,mr4 ,wicker1 and ,mr4 ,wyden7 introduced the following bill2 which was read the first time ,july #bi1 #bjad,read the second time and placed on the calendar ,a ,,bill ,to enhance the strategic partnership between the ,united ,states and ,israel4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,united ,states-,israel ,strategic ,partnership ,act of #bjad4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,the people and the ,governments of the ,united ,states and of ,israel share a deep and unbreakable bond1 forged by over #fj years of shared interests and shared values4 7#b7 ,today1 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 ,africa1 necessitating deeper cooperation on a range of defense1 security1 and intelligence matters4 7#c7 ,from ,gaza1 ,hamas continues to deny ,israel's right to exist and persists in firing rockets indiscriminately at population centers in ,israel4 7#d7 ,hezbollah--with support from ,iran--continues to stockpile rockets and may be seeking to exploit the tragic and volatile security situation within ,syria4 7#e7 ,the ,government of ,iran continues to pose a grave threat to the region and the world at large with its reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons4 7#f7 ,given these challenges1 it is imperative that the ,united ,states continues to deepen cooperation with allies like ,israel in pursuit of shared policy objectives4 #c4 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to reaffirm the unwavering support of the people and the ,government of the ,united ,states for the security of ,israel as a ,jewish state2 7#b7 to reaffirm the principles and objectives enshrined in the ,united ,states-,israel ,enhanced ,security ,cooperation ,act of #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-aej7 and ensure its implementation to the fullest extent2 7#c7 to reaffirm the importance of the #bjjg ,united ,states-,israel ,memorandum of ,understanding on ,united ,states assistance to ,israel and the semi-annual ,strategic ,dialogue between the ,united ,states and ,israel2 7#d7 to pursue every opportunity to deepen cooperation with ,israel on a range of critical issues including defense1 homeland security1 energy1 and cybersecurity2 7#e7 to continue to provide ,israel with robust security assistance1 including for the procurement of the ,iron ,dome ,missile ,defense ,system2 and 7#f7 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 security4 #d4 ,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 ,states4 #e4 ,extension of war reserves stockpile authority 7a7 ,department of ,defense ,appropriations ,act1 #bjje ,section #abjja7;d7 of the ,department of ,defense ,appropriations ,act1 #bjje 7,public ,law #ajh-bhg2 #aah ,stat4 #ajaa7 is amended by striking more than #aj years after and inserting more than #aa years after4 7b7 ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa ,section #ead7;b77#b77;,a7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bcba;h7b77#b77;,a77 is amended by striking and #bjad and inserting 1 #bjad1 and #bjae4 #f4 ,eligibility of ,israel for the strategic trade authorization exception to certain export control licensing requirements 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that ,israel-- 7#a7 has adopted high standards in the field of export controls2 7#b7 has declared its unilateral adherence to the ,missile ,technology ,control ,regime1 the ,australia ,group1 and the ,nuclear ,suppliers ,group2 and 7#c7 is a party to-- 7,a7 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 ,effects1 signed at ,geneva ,october #aj1 #aihj2 7,b7 the ,protocol for the ,prohibition of the ,use in ,war of ,asphyxiating1 ,poisonous or ,other ,gases1 and of ,bacteriological ,methods of ,warfare1 signed at ,geneva ,june #ag1 #aibe2 and 7,c7 the ,convention on the ,physical ,protection of ,nuclear ,material1 adopted at ,vienna on ,october #bf1 #aigi4 7b7 ,eligibility for strategic trade authorization exception ,the ,president1 consistent with the commitments of the ,united ,states under international arrangements1 shall take steps so that ,israel may be included in the list of countries eligible for the strategic trade authorization exception under section #gdj4bj7;c77#a7 of title #ae1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 to the requirement for a license for the export1 reexport1 or in-country transfer of an item subject to controls under the ,export ,administration ,regulations4 #g4 ,united ,states-,israel cooperation on energy1 water1 homeland security1 agriculture1 and alternative fuel technologies 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president is authorized1 subject to existing law-- 7#a7 to undertake activities in cooperation with ,israel2 and 7#b7 to provide assistance promoting cooperation in the fields of energy1 water1 agriculture1 and alternative fuel technologies4 7b7 ,requirements ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,president is authorized1 subject to existing requirements of law and any applicable agreements or understandings between the ,united ,states and ,israel-- 7#a7 to share and exchange with ,israel research1 technology1 intelligence1 information1 equipment1 and personnel1 including through sales1 leases1 or exchanges in kind1 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 law2 and 7#b7 to enhance scientific cooperation between ,israel and the ,united ,states4 7c7 ,cooperative research pilot programs ,the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 acting through the ,director of the ,homeland ,security ,advanced ,research ,projects ,agency and with the concurrence of the ,secretary of ,state1 is authorized1 subject to existing law1 to enter into cooperative research pilot programs with ,israel to enhance ,israel's capabilities in-- 7#a7 border1 maritime1 and aviation security2 7#b7 explosives detection2 and 7#c7 emergency services4 #h4 ,report on increased ,united ,states-,israel cooperation on cybersecurity ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall submit to ,congress a report1 in a classified format or including a classified annex1 as appropriate1 on the feasibility and advisability of expanding ,united ,states-,israeli cooperation on cyber issues1 including sharing and advancing technologies related to the prevention of cybercrimes4 #i4 ,visa ,waiver ,program 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the ,sense of ,congress that the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,state1 should designate the ,state of ,israel as a program country under the ,visa ,waiver ,program when the ,government of ,israel-- 7#a7 is in compliance with all the requirements of the program specified in section #bag of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahg71 except for the low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate requirement under subsection 7c77#b77;,a7 of such section2 and 7#b7 has met the conditions for a waiver of such requirement set forth in subsection 7c74 7b7 ,consultation ,the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,state1 should take steps to engage with representatives of the ,government of ,israel on-- 7#a7 the extent to which ,israel satisfies the requirements specified in section #bag of such ,act for inclusion in the ,visa ,waiver ,program2 7#b7 additional steps that may be required in order for ,israel to qualify for consideration for inclusion in such program4 7c7 ,waiver ,the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,state1 is authorized to waive the low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate requirements under paragraphs 7#b77;,a7 and 7#c77;,b7 of section #bag7;c7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahg7;c77 for the ,state of ,israel if-- 7#a7 the ,government of ,israel has complied with all other requirements of the ,visa ,waiver ,program1 including extending the reciprocal privileges described in section #bag7;a77#b77;,a7 of such ,act to citizens and nationals of the ,united ,states without regard to the race1 religion1 national origin1 or ethnicity of any such citizen or national2 7#b7 the percentage of nationals of ,israel who were refused a nonimmigrant visitor visa during the previous fiscal year is not more than #aj percent of the total number of nonimmigrant visitor visas for nationals of ,israel which were granted or refused during that fiscal year4 7d7 ,savings provision ,nothing in this section may be construed to exempt the ,state of ,israel from all requirements to which other program countries are subject under section #bag of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act except for requirements relating to low nonimmigrant visa refusal rates under paragraphs 7#b77;,a7 and 7#c77;,b7 of section #bag7;c7 of such ,act4 #aj4 ,status of implementation of section #d of the ,united ,states-,israel ,enhanced ,security ,cooperation ,act of #bjab ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall1 to the extent practicable and in an appropriate manner1 provide an update to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services of the ,senate1 and the ,committee on ,armed ,services of the ,house of ,representatives on current and future efforts undertaken by the ,president to fulfill the objectives of section #d of the ,united ,states-,israel ,enhanced ,security ,cooperation ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #hfjc74 #aa4 ,improved reporting on enhancing ,israel's qualitative military edge and security posture 7a7 ,biennial assessment reevaluations ,section #bja7;c7 of the ,naval ,vessel ,transfer ,act of #bjjh 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bggf note7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,biennial updates ,two years after the date on which each quadrennial report is transmitted to ,congress1 the ,president shall-- 7,a7 reevaluate the assessment required under subsection 7a72 and 7,b7 inform and consult with the appropriate congressional committees on the results of the reevaluation conducted pursuant to subparagraph 7,a74 4 7b7 ,certification requirements for major defense equipment ,section #cf7;h7 of the ,arms ,export ,control ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bggf7;h77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#b7 as paragraph 7#c72 and 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the following3 7#b7 ,requirements with respect to determination for major defense equipment ,a determination under paragraph 7#a7 relating to the sale or export of major defense equipment shall include-- 7,a7 a detailed explanation of ,israel's capacity to address the improved capabilities provided by such sale or export2 7,b7 a detailed evaluation of-- 7i7 how such sale or export alters the strategic and tactical balance in the region1 including relative capabilities2 and 7ii7 ,israel's capacity to respond to the improved regional capabilities provided by such sale or export2 7,c7 an identification of any specific new capacity1 capabilities1 or training that ,israel may require to address the regional or country-specific capabilities provided by such sale or export2 and 7,d7 a description of any additional ,united ,states security assurances to ,israel made1 or requested to be made1 in connection with1 or as a result of1 such sale or export4 4 #ab4 ,united ,states-,israel energy cooperation 7a7 ,findings ,section #iag7;a7 of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agccg7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking renewable and inserting covered2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#d7-- 7,a7 by striking possible many and inserting 8possible-- 7,a7 many 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 8and 7,b7 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 ,foundation2 2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#f7-- 7,a7 by striking renewable and inserting covered2 and 7,b7 by striking and at the end2 7#d7 in paragraph 7#g7-- 7,a7 by striking renewable and inserting covered2 and 7,b7 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#e7 by adding at the end the following3 7#h7 ,united ,states-,israel energy cooperation and the development of natural resources by ,israel are in the strategic interest of the ,united ,states2 7#i7 ,israel is a strategic partner of the ,united ,states in water technology2 7#aj7 the ,united ,states can play a role in assisting ,israel with regional safety and security issues2 7#aa7 the ,national ,science ,foundation of the ,united ,states1 to the extent consistent with the ,national ,science ,foundation's mission 1 should collaborate with the ,israel ,science ,foundation and the ,united ,states-,israel ,binational ,science ,foundation2 7#ab7 the ,united ,states and ,israel should strive to develop more robust academic cooperation in-- 7,a7 energy innovation technology and engineering2 7,b7 water science2 7,c7 technology transfer2 and 7,d7 analysis of emerging geopolitical implications1 crises and threats from foreign natural resource and energy acquisitions1 and the development of domestic resources as a response2 7#ac7 the ,united ,states supports the goals of the ,alternative ,fuels ,administration of ,israel with respect to expanding the use of alternative fuels2 7#ad7 the ,united ,states strongly urges open dialogue and continued mechanisms for regular engagement and encourages further cooperation between applicable departments1 agencies1 ministries1 institutions of higher education1 and the private sector of the ,united ,states and ,israel on energy security issues1 including-- 7,a7 identifying policy priorities associated with the development of natural resources of ,israel2 7,b7 discussing and sharing best practices to secure cyber energy infrastructure and other energy security matters2 7,c7 leveraging natural gas to positively impact regional stability2 7,d7 issues relating to the energy-water nexus1 including improving energy efficiency and the overall performance of water technologies through research and development in water desalination1 wastewater treatment and reclamation1 water treatment in gas and oil production processes1 and other water treatment refiners2 7,e7 technical and environmental management of deep-water exploration and production2 7,f7 emergency response and coastal protection and restoration2 7,g7 academic outreach and engagement2 7,h7 private sector and business development engagement2 7,i7 regulatory consultations2 7,j7 leveraging alternative transportation fuels and technologies2 and 7,k7 any other areas determined appropriate by the ,united ,states and ,israel2 7#ae7 the ,united ,states-- 7,a7 acknowledges the achievements and importance of the ,binational ,industrial ,research and ,development ,foundation and the ,united ,states-,israel ,binational ,science ,foundation2 and 7,b7 supports continued multiyear funding to ensure the continuity of the programs of the foundations specified in subparagraph 7,a72 and 7#af7 the ,united ,states and ,israel have a shared interest in addressing immediate1 near-term1 and long-term energy1 energy poverty1 energy independence1 and environmental challenges facing the ,united ,states and ,israel1 respectively4 4 7b7 ,grant program ,section #iag7;b7 of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agccg7;b77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking renewable energy or energy efficiency and inserting covered energy2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,f71 by striking and at the end2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,g71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,h7 natural gas energy1 including conventional and unconventional natural gas technologies and other associated technologies1 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 ,foundation2 and 7,i7 improvement of energy efficiency and the overall performance of water technologies through research and development in water desalination1 wastewater treatment and reclamation1 and other water treatment refiners4 2 and 7#c7 in paragraph 7#c77;,a71 by striking energy efficiency or renewable and inserting covered4 7c7 ,international partnerships2 regional energy cooperation 7#a7 ,international partnerships ,section #iag of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agccg7 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking subsection 7d72 7,b7 by redesignating subsection 7c7 as subsection 7e72 7,c7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 the following3 7c7 ,international partnerships 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 subject to the availability of appropriations1 may enter into cooperative agreements supporting and enhancing dialogue and planning involving international partnerships between the ,department1 including ,national ,laboratories of the ,department1 and the ,government of ,israel and its ministries1 offices1 and institutions4 7#b7 ,federal share ,the ,secretary may not pay more than #ej percent of ,federal share of the costs of implementing cooperative agreements entered into pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,annual reports ,if the ,secretary enters into agreements authorized by paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall submit an annual report to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives that describes-- 7,a7 actions taken to implement such agreements2 and 7,b7 any projects undertaken pursuant to such agreements4 7d7 ,united ,states-,israel energy center ,the ,secretary may establish a joint ,united ,states-,israel ,energy ,center in the ,united ,states leveraging the experience1 knowledge1 and expertise of institutions of higher education and entities in the private sector1 among others1 in offshore energy development to further dialogue and collaboration to develop more robust academic cooperation in energy innovation technology and engineering1 water science1 technology transfer1 and analysis of emerging geopolitical implications1 crises and threats from foreign natural resource and energy acquisitions1 and the development of domestic resources as a response4 2 and 7,d7 in subsection 7e71 as redesignated1 by striking the date that is #g years after the date of enactment of this ,act and inserting ,september #cj1 #bjbd4 7#b7 ,constructive regional energy cooperation ,the ,secretary of ,state shall continue the ongoing diplomacy efforts of the ,secretary of ,state in-- 7,a7 engaging and supporting the energy security of ,israel2 and 7,b7 promoting constructive regional energy cooperation in the ,eastern ,mediterranean4 ,july #bi1 #bjad,read the second time and placed on the calendar