,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bjcb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,october #cj1 #bjag,ms4 ,cantwell 7for herself and ,mr4 ,roberts7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,finance ,a ,,bill ,to make certain footwear eligible for duty-free treatment under the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,,gsp ,footwear ,act of #bjag4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences under title ,v of the ,trade ,act of #aigd 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #bdfa et seq47 was enacted to promote economic development in developing and least-developed countries by expanding trade opportunities4 7#b7 ,articles referred to as footwear and classified under chapter #fd of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states may not be designated as eligible articles for purposes of the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences4 7#c7 ,global trade and manufacturing dynamics have evolved since the enactment of the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences in #aigd1 and many footwear articles may no longer be import-sensitive to industries in the ,united ,states4 ,companies in the ,united ,states benefit when sourcing options are increased1 which is key goal of the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences4 7#d7 ,by removing certain footwear articles from the list of articles excluded from eligibility under the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences1 ,congress is not changing rates in the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states1 but instead is allowing those articles access to the annual review process under the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences1 which relies on investigations and recommendations from the independent ,united ,states ,international ,trade ,commission1 among other agencies of the ,united ,states ,government4 7#e7 ,as of #bjae1 #ff of the #abd countries designated as beneficiary developing countries under the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences export to the ,united ,states articles classified under ,chapter #fd of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states4 ,fifteen of those countries have been designated as least-developed beneficiary developing countries for purposes of the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences4 7#f7 ,countries designated as beneficiary developing countries under the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences account for only #f4g percent of imports of footwear into the ,united ,states4 7#g7 ,the provision of duty-free treatment under the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences for certain footwear articles imported into the ,united ,states may result in a shift in the production of those articles to countries designated as beneficiary developing countries or least-developed beneficiary developing countries under the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences1 and thereby promote economic growth in such countries4 #c4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is-- 7#a7 to provide duty-free treatment for certain footwear in a manner that provides as broad a benefit to all participating countries as possible2 and 7#b7 to give all countries eligible for such duty-free treatment an opportunity to manufacture that footwear if a review determines that such duty-free treatment is warranted4 #d4 ,eligibility of certain footwear for duty-free treatment under the ,generalized ,system of ,preferences ,section #ejc7;b7 of the ,trade ,act of #aigd 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #bdfc7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by designating the second paragraph 7#e7 as paragraph 7#f72 7#b7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#e7 and inserting paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#f72 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking in paragraph 7#e7 and inserting in paragraphs 7#f7 and 7#g72 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#g7 ,certain footwear ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#a77;,e71 the ,president may designate the following as eligible articles under subsection 7a73 7,a7 ,articles classifiable under subheading #fdjb4ia4db1 #fdjb4ii4ba1 #fdjb4ii4ca1 #fdjb4ii4cb1 #fdjd4aa4gi1 #fdjd4ai4gi1 or #fdjd4ai4ij of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states4 7,b7 ,articles classifiable under statistical reporting number #fdjd4aa4hicj1 #fdjd4aa4hifj1 #fdjd4aa4hiij1 #fdjd4ai4cgae1 #fdjd4ai4cgcj1 #fdjd4ai4cgfj1 #fdjd4ai4egcj1 #fdjd4ai4egfj1 #fdjd4ai4ggcj1 #fdjd4ai4ggfj1 #fdjd4ai4hicj1 #fdjd4ai4hifj1 or #fdjd4ai4hiij of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states1 as such statistical reporting numbers are in effect on the date of the enactment of the ,,gsp ,footwear ,act of #bjag4 7,c7 ,the following footwear articles3 7i7 ,footwear for men or for women1 with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics 7except vulcanized footwear and footwear with waterproof molded or vulcanized bottoms1 including bottoms comprising an outer sole and all or part of the upper1 and except footwear designed to be protective that is incomplete in its condition as imported71 valued at more than #be per pair1 whose height from the bottom of the outer sole to the top of the upper does not exceed #aj inches 7#be4d centimeters71 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjb4ia4ej of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7ii7 ,footwear for persons other than men or women1 with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics 7except vulcanized footwear and footwear with waterproof molded or vulcanized bottoms1 including bottoms comprising an outer sole and all or part of the upper1 and except footwear designed to be protective that is incomplete in its condition as imported71 valued at more than #af per pair1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjb4ia4ej of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7iii7 ,footwear for persons other than men or women1 with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics 7other than sports footwear described in ,subheading ,note #a to chapter #fd of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states7 that is designed for outdoor activities1 such as hiking shoes1 trekking shoes1 running shoes1 and trail running shoes1 which provides protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric1 with or without insulation1 valued at more than #af per pair 7provided for in subheading #fdjb4ia4ej of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7iv7 ,footwear for men or for women1 with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics 7other than sports footwear described in ,subheading ,note #a to chapter #fd of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states7 that is designed for outdoor activities1 such as hiking shoes1 trekking shoes1 running shoes and trail running shoes1 valued at more than #be per pair1 which provides protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric1 with or without insulation1 whose height from the bottom is at least #f inches 7#ae4ce centimeters7 and does not exceed #aj inches 7#be4d centimeters7 7provided for in subheading #fdjb4ia4ej of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7v7 ,footwear for men or for women1 with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics 7except vulcanized footwear and footwear with waterproof molded bottoms or vulcanized bottoms1 including bottoms comprising an outer sole and all or part of the upper1 and except footwear designed to be protective that is incomplete in its condition as imported71 not covering the ankle or having a protective metal-toe cap1 valued at more than #be per pair1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjb4ii4cc of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7vi7 ,footwear for persons other than men or women1 with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics 7except vulcanized footwear and footwear with waterproof molded bottoms or vulcanized bottoms1 including bottoms comprising an outer sole and all or part of the upper1 and except footwear designed to be protective that is incomplete in its condition as imported71 not covering the ankle or having a protective metal-toe cap1 valued at more than #af per pair1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjb4ii4cc of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7vii7 ,sports footwear for men or for women with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile1 valued at more than #bj per pair1 other than ski boots1 cross country ski footwear1 and snowboard boots1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection is imparted by the use of a laminated textile and with openings in the bottom or side of the sole1 or covered openings in the upper above the sole unit1 or a combination thereof1 designed to permit moisture vapor transport from under the foot 7provided for in subheading #fdjd4aa4ij of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7viii7 ,golf footwear for men1 youths1 or boys with outer soles of rubber1 plastics1 leather1 or composition leather and uppers of leather1 not pigskin or welt1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection is imparted by the use of a laminated textile and with openings in the bottom or side of the sole1 or covered openings in the upper above the sole unit1 or a combination thereof1 designed to permit moisture vapor transport from under the foot 7as provided for under subheading #fdjc4ai4cj of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7ix7 ,footwear for men1 with uppers of leather other than of pigskin 7other than work footwear1 tennis shoes1 basketball shoes1 gym shoes1 training shoes and the like1 and other than slip-on footwear71 covering the ankle1 valued at more than #bg per pair1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjc4ia4fj of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7x7 ,footwear for women1 with uppers of leather other than of pigskin 7other than work footwear1 tennis shoes1 basketball shoes1 gym shoes1 training shoes and the like1 and other than slip-on footwear71 covering the ankle1 valued at more than #bg per pair1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjc4ia4ij of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7xi7 ,footwear for persons other than men or women1 with uppers of leather other than of pigskin 7other than work footwear1 tennis shoes1 basketball shoes1 gym shoes1 training shoes and the like1 and other than slip-on footwear71 covering the ankle1 valued at more than #ah per pair1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjc4ia4ij of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7xii7 ,footwear for men1 with uppers of leather other than of pigskin 7other than house slippers1 work footwear1 tennis shoes1 basketball shoes1 gym shoes1 training shoes and the like1 and other than slip-on footwear71 not covering the ankle1 valued at more than #bg per pair1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjc4ii4fj of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7xiii7 ,footwear for women1 with uppers of leather other than of pigskin 7other than house slippers1 work footwear1 tennis shoes1 basketball shoes1 gym shoes1 training shoes and the like1 and other than slip-on footwear71 not covering the ankle1 valued at more than #bg per pair1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjc4ii4ij of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7xiv7 ,footwear for persons other than men or women1 with uppers of leather other than of pigskin 7other than house slippers1 work footwear1 tennis shoes1 basketball shoes1 gym shoes1 training shoes and the like1 and other than slip-on footwear71 not covering the ankle1 valued at more than #ah per pair1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjc4ii4ij of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7xv7 ,footwear for men or for women1 with outer soles of rubber1 plastics1 leather1 or composition leather and uppers of textile materials 7except vulcanized footwear and footwear with waterproof molded or vulcanized bottoms1 including bottoms comprising an outer sole and all or part of the upper1 work footwear1 and except footwear designed to be protective that is incomplete in its condition as imported71 valued at more than #be per pair1 not covering the ankle1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjd4ai4bj of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7xvi7 ,footwear for men or for women1 with outer soles of rubber1 plastics1 leather1 or composition leather and uppers of textile materials 7except vulcanized footwear and footwear with waterproof molded or vulcanized bottoms1 including bottoms comprising an outer sole and all or part of the upper1 work footwear1 and except footwear designed to be protective that is incomplete in its condition as imported71 valued at more than #be per pair1 whose height from the bottom of the outer sole to the top of the upper does not exceed #aj inches 7#be4d centimeters71 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjd4ai4bj of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 7xvii7 ,footwear for persons other than men or women1 with outer soles of rubber1 plastics1 leather1 or composition leather and uppers of textile materials 7except vulcanized footwear and footwear with waterproof molded or vulcanized bottoms1 including bottoms comprising an outer sole and all or part of the upper1 work footwear1 and except footwear designed to be protective that is incomplete in its condition as imported71 valued at more than #af per pair1 designed to be worn in lieu of1 but not over1 other footwear as a protection against water1 oil1 grease1 or chemicals or cold or inclement weather where such protection includes protection against water that is imparted by the use of a laminated textile fabric 7provided for in subheading #fdjd4ai4bj of the ,harmonized ,tariff ,schedule of the ,united ,states74 4 #e4 ,studies on state of domestic footwear industry and probable effect of expanded duty-free treatment of footwear articles 7a7 ,study on state of domestic footwear industry 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall include in each of the first #f annual reports under section #ejd of the ,trade ,act of #aigd 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #bdfd7 submitted after the date of the enactment of this ,act the results of a study on the state of the footwear manufacturing industry in the ,united ,states during the year preceding the submission of the report4 7#b7 ,elements ,each study required under paragraph 7#a7 shall focus on changes to the categories of footwear manufactured in the ,united ,states during the year covered by the study for the purpose of accurately determining which footwear categories are manufactured in the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,study on probable economic effect of expanded duty-,free treatment ,to support efforts by manufacturers in the ,united ,states to expand production of footwear1 in conducting any study of the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment under title ,v of the ,trade ,act of #aigd 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #bdfa et seq47 to footwear articles1 the ,united ,states ,trade ,representative shall request that the ,united ,states ,international ,trade ,commission not only examine current domestic production of like or directly competitive articles1 but also identify any articles for which domestic production at a commercial level is likely to occur within the next year4