,,ii #aah? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,s4 #gig ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,m>* #ad1 #bjbc ,mr4 ,rubio 7= himself & ,mr4 ,m55dez7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,=eign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to e/abli% & implem5t a multi-ye> ,legal ,gold & ,m9+ ,p>tn]%ip ,/rategy to r$uce ! negative environm5tal & social impacts ( illicit gold m9+ 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,legal ,gold & ,m9+ ,p>tn]%ip ,act4 #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress makes ! foll[+ f9d+s3 7#a7 ,! illicit m9+1 traffick+1 & comm]cialization ( gold 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e-- 7,a7 negatively affects ! region's economic & social dynamics2 7,b7 /r5g!ns transnational crim9al organizations & o!r int]national illicit actors2 & 7,c7 has a delet]i\s impact on ! environm5t & food security4 7#b7 ,a lack ( economic opportunities & ! weak rule ( law promote illicit activities1 su* z illicit gold m9+1 :i* increases ! vuln]ability ( individuals 9 m9+ areas1 includ+ indig5\s communities1 :o h be5 subject$ to traffick+ 9 p]sons1 o!r human rights abuses1 & population displacem5t 9 relation to m9+ activity1 p>ticul>ly 9 ! artisanal & small-scale m9+ sector4 7#c7 ,illicit gold m9+ 9 ,lat9 ,am]ica (t5 involves & b5efits transnational crim9al organizations1 drug traffick+ organizations1 t]rori/ gr\ps1 & o!r illegal arm$ gr\ps t extort m9]s & ent] into illicit p>tn]%ips ) !m 9 ord] to ga9 rev5ue f ! illicit activity4 7#d7 ,illicit gold supply *a9s are int]national 9 nature & frequ5tly involve-- 7,a7 ! smuggl+ ( gold & supplies1 su* z m]cury2 7,b7 trade-bas$ money laund]+2 & 7,c7 o!r cross-bord] fl[s ( illicit assets4 7#e7 ,9 ,lat9 ,am]ica1 m9]al trad]s & export]s1 local processors1 & %ell companies l9k$ to transnational crim9al networks & illegally arm$ gr\ps all play a key role 9 ! traffick+1 laund]+1 & comm]cialization ( illicit gold f ! region4 7#f7 ,accord+ to a report on illegally m9$ ,gold 9 ,lat9 ,am]ica by ! ,global ,initiative ,aga9/ ,transnational ,organiz$ ,crime-- 7,a7 m ?an #gj p]c5t ( ! gold m9$ 9 sev]al ,lat9 ,am]ican c\ntries1 su* z ,colombia1 ,ecuador1 & ,p]u1 is m9$ ?r\gh illicit means2 & 7,b7 ab\t #hj p]c5t ( ! gold m9$ 9 ,v5ezuela is m9$ ?r\gh illicit means & a l>ge p]c5tage ( su* gold is sold-- 7i7 to ! /ate m9+ company1 ,m9]v51 a gold processor t has be5 designat$ by ! ,(fice ( ,=eign ,assets ,control ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ! ,treasury1 pursuant to ,executive ,ord] #achej1 & is op]at$ by ! ,maduro regime2 or 7ii7 ?r\gh o!r traffick+ & comm]cialization networks f :i* ! ,maduro regime b5efits f9ancially4 7#g7 ,illegal arm$ gr\ps & =eign t]rori/ organizations1 su* z ! ,ejrcito de ,lib]acin ,nacional 7,national ,lib]ation ,army--,,eln71 "w ) transnational crim9al organizations 9 ,v5ezuela t p>ticipate 9 ! illicit m9+1 traffick+1 & comm]cialization ( gold4 7#h7 ,transnational crim9al organizations bas$ 9 ,v5ezuela1 su* z ,el ,tr5 de ,aragua1 h exp&$ _! role 9 ! illicit m9+1 traffick+1 & comm]cialization ( gold to increase _! crim9al pr(its4 #c4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,! t]m appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 ! ,committee on ,=eign ,relations ( ! ,s5ate2 & 7,b7 ! ,committee on ,=eign ,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4 7#b7 ,artisanal & small-scale m9+2 ,,asm ,! t]ms artisanal & small-scale m9+ & ,,asm ref] to a =m ( m9+ common 9 ! develop+ _w t-- 7,a7 typically employs rudim5t>y1 simple1 & l[-co/ extractive te*nologies & manual labor-int5sive te*niques2 7,b7 is frequ5tly subject to limit$ regulation2 & 7,c7 (t5 features h>% & dang]\s work+ conditions4 7#c7 ,illicit actors ,! t]m illicit actors includes-- 7,a7 any p]son includ$ on any li/ (-- 7i7 ,unit$ ,/ates-designat$ =eign t]rori/ organizations2 7ii7 specially designat$ global t]rori/s 7z def9$ 9 section #eid4caj ( title #ca1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations72 7iii7 significant =eign n>cotics traffick]s 7z def9$ 9 section #hjh ( ! ,=eign ,n>cotics ,k+p9 ,designation ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #aijg72 or 7iv7 block$ p]sons1 z ma9ta9$ by ! ,(fice ( ,=eign ,assets ,control ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ! ,treasury2 & 7,b7 drug traffick+ organizations4 7#d7 ,key /akehold]s ,! t]m key /akehold]s means private sector organizations1 indu/ry repres5tatives1 & civil society repres5tatives t are committ$ to ! implem5tation ( ! ,legal ,gold & ,m9+ ,p>tn]%ip ,/rategy4 7#e7 ,legal gold & m9+ p>tn]%ip /rategy2 /rategy ,! t]ms ,legal ,gold & ,m9+ ,p>tn]%ip ,/rategy & ,/rategy mean ! /rategy develop$ pursuant to section #d4 7#f7 ,relevant f$]al dep>tm5ts & ag5cies ,! t]m relevant ,f$]al dep>tm5ts & ag5cies means-- 7,a7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate2 7,b7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ! ,treasury2 7,c7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security1 includ+ ,u4,s4 ,cu/oms & ,bord] ,protection & ,u4,s4 ,immigration & ,cu/oms ,en=cem5t2 7,d7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice1 includ+ ! ,f$]al ,bureau ( ,inve/igation & ! ,drug ,en=cem5t ,adm9i/ration2 7,e7 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior2 7,f7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,ag5cy = ,int]national ,developm5t2 & 7,g7 o!r ,f$]al ag5cies designat$ by ! ,presid5t4 #d4 ,legal ,gold & ,m9+ ,p>tn]%ip ,/rategy 7a7 ,/rategy requir$ ,! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 9 coord9ation ) ! heads ( relevant ,f$]al dep>tm5ts & ag5cies1 %all develop a compreh5sive1 multi-ye> /rategy1 :i* %all be kn[n z ! ,legal ,gold & ,m9+ ,p>tn]%ip ,/rategy 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z ! ,/rategy71 to combat illicit gold m9+ 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e4 7b7 ,elem5ts ,! ,/rategy %all include policies1 programs1 & initiatives-- 7#a7 to int]rupt ! l9kages betwe5 ,,asm & illicit actors t pr(it f ,,asm 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e2 7#b7 to det] ,,asm 9 environm5tally protect$ areas1 su* z national p>ks & cons]vation zones1 to prev5t m9+-relat$ contam9ation ( critical natural res\rces1 su* z wat] res\rces1 soil1 tropical =e/s1 & o!r flora & fauna1 & a]osol contam9ation l9k$ to detrim5tal heal? impacts2 7#c7 to c\nt] ! f9anc+ & enri*m5t ( actors involv$ 9 ! illicit m9+1 traffick+1 & comm]cialization ( gold1 & ! abett+ ( _! activities by-- 7,a7 promot+ ! ex]cise ( due dilig5ce & ! use ( responsible s\rc+ me?ods 9 ! pur*ase & trade ( ,,asm2 7,b7 prev5t+ & prohibit+ =eign p]sons :o control commodity trad+ *a9s l9k$ to illicit actors f enjoy+ ! b5efits ( access to ! t]ritory1 m>kets or f9ancial sy/em ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 & halt+ any su* ongo+ activity by su* =eign p]sons2 & 7,c7 support+ ! capacity ( f9ancial intellig5ce units1 cu/oms ag5cies1 & o!r gov]nm5t in/itutions focus$ on anti-money laund]+ initiatives & combat+ ! f9anc+ ( crim9al activities & t]rorism to ex]cise ov]sight consi/5t ) ! ?reats pos$ by illicit gold m9+2 7#d7 to build ! capacity ( =eign civilian law en=cem5t in/itutions 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e to effectively c\nt]-- 7,a7 l9kages betwe5 illicit gold m9+1 illicit actors1 money laund]+1 & o!r f9ancial crimes1 includ+ trade-bas$ money laund]+2 7,b7 l9kages betwe5 illicit gold m9+1 illicit actors1 traffick+ 9 p]sons1 & =c$ or co]c$ labor1 includ+ sex "w & *ild labor2 7,c7 ! cross-bord] traffick+ ( illicit gold1 & ! m]cury1 cyanide1 explosives1 & o!r haz>d\s mat]ials us$ 9 illicit gold m9+2 & 7,d7 surveillance & inve/igation ( illicit & relat$ activities t are relat$ to or are indicators ( illicit gold m9+ activities2 7#e7 to ensure ! successful implem5tation ( ! exi/+ ,memor&a ( ,und]/&+ sign$ ) ! ,gov]nm5ts ( ,p]u & ( ,colombia 9 #bjag & #bjah1 respectively1 to exp& bilat]al coop]ation to combat illicit gold m9+2 7#f7 to "w ) gov]nm5ts 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e1 bol/] ! effectiv5ess ( anti-money laund]+ ef=ts to combat ! f9anc+ ( illicit actors 9 ,lat9 ,am]ica & ! ,c>ibbean & c\nt] ! laund]+ ( proce$s relat$ to illicit gold m9+ by-- 7,a7 fo/]+ int]national & regional coop]ation & facilitat+ intellig5ce %>+1 z appropriate1 to id5tify & disrupt f9ancial fl[s relat$ to ! illicit gold m9+1 traffick+1 & comm]cialization ( gold & o!r m9]als & illicit metals2 & 7,b7 support+ ! =mulation ( /rategies to ensure ! compliance ( report+ in/itutions involv$ 9 ! m9+ sector & to promote transp>5cy 9 m9+-sector transactions2 7#g7 to support =eign gov]nm5t ef=ts-- 7,a7 to increase regulations ( ! ,,asm sector2 7,b7 to facilitate lic5s+ & =malization processes = ,,asm m9]s2 7,c7 to create & implem5t environm5tal safegu>ds to r$uce ! negative environm5tal impact ( m9+ on s5sitive ecosy/ems2 & 7,d7 to develop me*anisms to support regulat$ cultural artisanal m9+ & artisanal m9+ z a job gr[? area2 7#h7 to engage ! m9+ indu/ry to enc\rage ! build+ ( te*nical exp]tise 9 be/ practices1 environm5tal safegu>ds1 & access to new te*nologies2 7#i7 to support ! e/abli%m5t ( gold commodity supply *a9 due dilig5ce1 responsible s\rc+1 trac+ & track+ capacities1 & /&>ds-compliant commodity c]tification sy/ems 9 c\ntries 9 ,lat9 ,am]ica & ! ,c>ibbean1 includ+ ef=ts recomm5d$ 9 ! ,,oecd ,due ,dilig5ce ,guidance = ,responsible ,supply ,*a9s ( ,m9]als f ,conflict-,affect$ & ,high ,risk ,areas1 ,?ird ,edition 7#bjaf72 7#aj7 to r$uce ! negative environm5tal impacts ( ,,asm1 p>ticul>ly-- 7,a7 ! use ( m]cury 9 prelim9>y ref9+2 7,b7 ! de/ruction ( tropical =e/s2 7,c7 ! con/ruction ( illegal & unregulat$ dams & ! result+ valley floods2 7,d7 ! pollution ( wat] res\rces & soil2 & 7,e7 ! release ( du/1 :i* c conta9 toxic *emicals & heavy metals t c cause sev]e heal? problems2 7#aa7 to aid & enc\rage ,,asm m9]s-- 7,a7 to =malize _! bus9ess activities1 includ+ ?r\gh skills tra9+1 te*nical & bus9ess assi/ance1 & access to f9anc+1 loans1 & cr$it2 7,b7 to utilize environm5tally safe & su/a9able m9+ practices1 includ+ by scal+ up ! use ( m]cury-free gold ref9+ te*nologies1 & m9+ me?ods & te*nologies t d n result 9 de=e/ation1 =e/ de/ruction1 air pollution1 wat] & soil-contam9ation1 & o!r negative environm5tal impacts associat$ ) ,,asm2 7,c7 to r$uce ! co/s associat$ ) =malization & compliance ) m9+ regulations2 7,d7 to fully break away f ! influ5ce ( illicit actors :o lev]age ! control ( t]ritory & use viol5ce to extort m9]s & pu% !m into illicit arrangem5ts2 7,e7 to adopt & utilize environm5tally safe & su/a9able m9+ practices1 includ+-- 7i7 m]cury-free gold ref9+ te*nologies2 & 7ii7 extractive te*niques t d n result 9-- 7,i7 =e/ cle>ance & wat] contam9ation2 or 7,,ii7 ! release ( du/ or uncontroll$ tail+s conta9+ toxic *emicals2 7,f7 to pursue alt]native livelihoods outside ! m9+ sector2 & 7,g7 to fully access public social s]vices 9 ,,asm-dep5d5t communities2 7#ab7 to support & enc\rage socioeconomic developm5t programs1 law en=cem5t capacity-build+ programs1 & support = relevant int]national initiatives1 includ+ by provid+ assi/ance to a*ieve su* ends by implem5t+ ! ,/rategy2 & 7#ac7 to promote responsible s\rc+ & due dilig5ce at all levels ( gold supply *a9s4 7c7 ,*all5ges assess$ ,! ,/rategy %all include an assessm5t ( ! *all5ges pos$ by1 & policy recomm5dations to address-- 7#a7 l9kages betwe5 ,,asm sector production & trade1 p>ticul>ly relat+ to gold1 to ! activities ( illicit actors1 includ+ l9kages t help to f9ance or enri* su* illicit actors or abet _! activities2 7#b7 l9kages betwe5 illicit or grey m>ket trade1 & m>kets 9 gold & o!r metals or m9]als & legal trade & comm]ce 9 su* commodities1 notably ) respect to activities t abet ! entry ( su* commodities into legal comm]ce1 includ+-- 7,a7 illicit cross-bord] traffick+1 includ+ ) respect to goods1 p]sons & illegal n>cotics2 7,b7 money-laund]+2 7,c7 ! f9anc+ ( illicit actors or _! activities2 & 7,d7 ! extralegal entry into ! ,unit$ ,/ates (-- 7i7 metals or m9]als1 :e!r ( legal =eign orig9 or n2 & 7ii7 ! proce$s ( su* metals or m9]als2 7#c7 l9kages betwe5 ! illicit m9+1 traffick+1 & comm]cialization ( gold1 diamonds1 & preci\s metals & /ones1 & ! f9ancial & political activities ( ! regime ( ,nicols ,maduro ( ,v5ezuela2 7#d7 factors t-- 7,a7 produce l9kages betwe5 ,,asm m9]s & illicit actors1 prompt+ "s ,,asm m9]s to utilize m9+ practices t are environm5tally damag+ & unsu/a9able1 notably m9+ or relat$ ore process+ practices t-- 7i7 involve ! use ( elem5tal m]cury2 or 7ii7 result 9 labor1 heal?1 environm5tal1 & safety code infractions & workplace haz>ds2 & 7,b7 lead "s ,,asm m9]s to op]ate 9 ! extralegal or poorly regulat$ in=mal sector1 & (t5 prev5t su* m9]s f improv+ ! socioeconomic /atus ( !mselves & _! families & communities1 or h9d] _! ability to =malize _! op]ations1 enhance _! te*nical & bus9ess capacities1 & access f9ance ( fair m>ket prices = _! output2 7#e7 m9+-relat$ traffick+ 9 p]sons & =c$ or co]c$ labor1 includ+ sex "w & *ild labor2 & 7#f7 ! use ( elem5tal m]cury & cyanide 9 ,,asm op]ations1 includ+ ! te*nical aims & scope ( su* usage & its impact on human heal? & ! environm5t1 includ+ flora1 fauna1 wat] res\rces1 soil1 & air quality4 7d7 ,=eign assi/ance ,! ,/rategy %all describe-- 7#a7 exi/+ =eign assi/ance programs t address elem5ts ( ! ,/rategy2 & 7#b7 additional =eign assi/ance res\rces ne$$ to fully implem5t ! ,/rategy4 7e7 ,submission ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,presid5t %all submit ! ,/rategy to ! appropriate congressional committees4 7f7 ,brief+ ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] submission ( ! ,/rategy1 & semiannually !reaft] = ! foll[+ #c ye>s1 ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 or ! ,secret>y's designee1 %all provide a brief+ to ! appropriate congressional committees reg>d+ ! implem5tation ( ! /rategy1 includ+ ef=ts to lev]age int]national support & develop a public-private p>tn]%ip to build responsible gold value *a9s ) o!r gov]nm5ts4 #e4 ,classifi$ brief+ on illicit gold m9+ 9 ,v5ezuela ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 or ! ,secret>y's designee1 9 coord9ation ) ! ,director ( ,national ,intellig5ce1 %all provide a classifi$ brief+ to ! appropriate congressional committees1 ! ,select ,committee on ,intellig5ce ( ! ,s5ate1 & ! ,p]man5t ,select ,committee on ,intellig5ce ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives t describes-- 7#a7 ! activities relat$ to illicit gold m9+1 includ+ ! illicit m9+1 traffick+1 & comm]cialization ( gold1 inside ,v5ezuelan t]ritory c>ri$ out by illicit actors1 includ+ defectors f ! ,revolution>y ,arm$ ,=ces ( ,colombia 7,,f>c7 & memb]s ( ! ,national ,lib]ation ,army 7,,eln72 & 7#b7 ,v5ezuela's illicit gold trade ) =eign gov]nm5ts1 includ+ ! ,gov]nm5t ( ! ,republic ( ,turkey & ! ,gov]nm5t ( ! ,islamic ,republic ( ,iran4 #f4 ,inve/igation ( ! illicit gold trade 9 ,v5ezuela ,! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 9 coord9ation ) ! ,secret>y ( ! ,treasury1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al1 & alli$ & p>tn] gov]nm5ts 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e1 %all-- 7#a7 lead a coord9at$ int]national ef=t to c>ry out f9ancial inve/igations to id5tify & track assets tak5 f ! p & in/itutions 9 ,v5ezuela t are l9k$ to money laund]+ & illicit activities1 includ+ m9+-relat$ activities1 by %>+ f9ancial inve/igations intellig5ce1 z appropriate & z p]mitt$ by law2 & 7#b7 provide te*nical assi/ance to help eligible gov]nm5ts 9 ,lat9 ,am]ica e/abli% legislative & regulatory frameworks capable ( impos+ & effectively implem5t+ t>get$ sanctions on-- 7,a7 (ficials ( ! ,maduro regime :o are directly engag$ 9 ! illicit m9+1 traffick+1 & comm]cialization ( gold2 & 7,b7 =eign p]sons engag$ 9 ! laund]+ ( illicit gold assets l9k$ to designat$ t]rori/ & drug traffick+ organizations4 #g4 ,lev]ag+ int]national support ,9 implem5t+ ! ,legal ,gold & ,m9+ ,p>tn]%ip ,/rategy pursuant to section #d1 ! ,presid5t %\ld direct ,unit$ ,/ates repres5tatives accr$it$ to relevant multilat]al in/itutions & developm5t banks & ,unit$ ,/ates ambassadors 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e to use ! influ5ce ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates to fo/] int]national coop]ation to a*ieve ! objectives ( ?is ,act1 includ+-- 7#a7 m>%al+ res\rces & political support2 & 7#b7 enc\rag+ ! developm5t ( policies & consultation ) key /akehold]s to accompli% su* objectives & provisions4 #h4 ,public-private p>tn]%ip to build responsible gold value *a9s 7a7 ,be/ practices ,! ,adm9i/rator ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,ag5cy = ,int]national ,developm5t 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z ! ,adm9i/rator71 9 coord9ation ) ! ,gov]nm5ts ( ,colombia1 ( ,ecuador1 & ( ,p]u1 & ) o!r democratically-elect$ gov]nm5ts 9 ! region1 %all consult ) ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,switz]l& reg>d+ be/ practices develop$ ?r\gh ! ,swiss ,bett] ,gold ,initiative1 a public-private p>tn]%ip t aims to improve transp>5cy & traceability 9 ! int]national gold trade4 7b7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,adm9i/rator %all coord9ate ) ! ,gov]nm5ts ( ,colombia1 ,ecuador1 ,p]u1 & o!r democratically-elect$ gov]nm5ts 9 ! region det]m9$ by ! ,adm9i/rator to e/abli% a public-private p>tn]%ip to advance ! be/ practices id5tifi$ 9 subsection 7a71 includ+ support+ programm+ 9 p>ticipat+ c\ntries t w-- 7#a7 support =malization & compliance ) appropriate environm5tal & labor /&>ds 9 ,,asm gold m9+2 7#b7 increase access to f9anc+ = ,,asm gold m9]s :o are tak+ significant /eps to =malize _! op]ations & comply ) labor & environm5tal /&>ds2 7#c7 enhance ! traceability & support ! e/abli%m5t ( a c]tification process = ,,asm gold2 7#d7 support a public relations campaign to promote responsibly-s\rc$ gold2 7#e7 facilitate contact betwe5 v5dors ( responsibly-s\rc$ gold & ,unit$ ,/ates companies2 & 7#f7 promote policies & practices 9 p>ticipat+ c\ntries t are conducive to ! =malization ( ,,asm gold m9+ & promot+ adh]5ce ( ,,asm to int]nationally-recogniz$ be/ practices & /&>ds4 7c7 ,meet+ ,! ,secret>y ( ,/ate or ! ,adm9i/rator1 )\t delegation & 9 coord9ation ) ! gov]nm5ts ( p>ticipat+ c\ntries1 %\ld-- 7#a7 ho/ a meet+ ) s5ior repres5tatives ( ! private sector & int]national gov]nm5tal & nongov]nm5tal p>tn]s2 & 7#b7 make commitm5ts to improve due dilig5ce & increase ! responsible s\rc+ ( gold4 #i4 ,au?orization ( appropriations ,!re is au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate #aj1jjj1jjj to implem5t ! ,legal ,gold & ,m9+ ,p>tn]%ip ,/rategy develop$ pursuant to section #d4