United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 18, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 - (Sec. 4) Expresses the sense of Congress that Israel is a major U.S. strategic partner.

(Sec. 5) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 to extend authority to transfer certain obsolete or surplus Department of Defense (DOD) items to Israel.

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend authority to make additions to foreign-based defense stockpiles for use as war reserve stocks through FY2015.

(Sec. 6) Directs the President to take steps to make Israel eligible for the strategic trade authorization exception to the requirement for a license for the export, reexport, or in-country transfer of an item subject to certain export controls.

(Sec. 7) Authorizes the President to carry out U.S.-Israel cooperative activities and to provide assistance for cooperation in the fields of energy, water, agriculture, and alternative fuel technologies.

Authorizes the President to: (1) share and exchange with Israel research, technology, intelligence, information, equipment, and personnel that will advance U.S. national security interests; and (2) enhance U.S.-Israel scientific cooperation.

Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) 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) Directs the President to report to Congress regarding the feasibility and advisability of expanding U.S.-Israel cyber cooperation.

(Sec. 9) States that it shall be U.S. policy to include Israel in the visa waiver program when Israel satisfies, and as long as Israel continues to satisfy, program requirements.

(Sec. 10) Directs the President to update Congress on efforts taken, pursuant to the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, to provide Israel with defense articles and defense services, including missile and joint missile defense capabilities including Iron Dome, security and intelligence cooperation, and an expanded role for Israel with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

(Sec. 11) Requires any certification that a sale or export of major defense equipment to a country in the Middle East will not adversely affect Israel's qualitative military edge to include:

• an explanation of Israel's capacity to address the improved capabilities provided by the sale or export;
• an evaluation of how the sale or export alters the regional strategic and tactical balance;
• an identification of any new capacity or training that Israel may require to address the regional or country-specific capabilities provided by such sale or export; and
• a description of any additional U.S. security assurances to Israel made, or requested to be made, in connection with the sale or export.

(Sec. 12) Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to:

• enter into cooperative agreements supporting dialogue and planning involving international partnerships between the Department of Energy (DOE), including DOE National Laboratories, and the government of Israel and its ministries, offices, and institutions; and
• establish a joint United States-Israel Center in the United States with offshore energy development expertise to develop academic cooperation in energy innovation technology and engineering, water science, technology transfer, and analysis of geopolitical implications of new natural resource development.

Extends through September 30, 2024, the grant program to support U.S.-Israel research, development, and commercialization of renewable energy or energy efficiency. Expands the scope of covered energy under such program, including the coverage of natural gas energy, water desalination improvement, and other water treatment technologies.

Directs the Secretary of State to continue ongoing diplomacy efforts to: (1) support Israel's energy security, and (2) promote regional energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

[113th Congress Public Law 296]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 128 STAT. 4075]]

Public Law 113-296
113th Congress

                                 An Act


 
   To enhance the strategic partnership between the United States and 
              Israel. <<NOTE: Dec. 19, 2014 -  [S. 2673]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: United States-
Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014.>> 
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 22 USC 8601 note.>> SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United States-Israel Strategic 
Partnership Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. <<NOTE: 22 USC 8601 note.>> 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. <<NOTE: 22 USC 8602 note.>> 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 128 STAT. 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. <<NOTE: 22 USC 8603 note.>> 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. <<NOTE: President.>> --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 128 STAT. 4077]]

SEC. 7. <<NOTE: President. 22 USC 8606.>> 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. <<NOTE: President. Classified information.>> 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. <<NOTE: 22 USC 8602 note.>> 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. <<NOTE: President. Deadline.>> 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

[[Page 128 STAT. 4078]]

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. <<NOTE: President.>> --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) <<NOTE: Consultation.>> 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)--

[[Page 128 STAT. 4079]]

                    (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;

[[Page 128 STAT. 4080]]

                    ``(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) <<NOTE: Contracts.>> 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 128 STAT. 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) <<NOTE: Establishment.>> 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) <<NOTE: 22 USC 8606 note.>> 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 18, 2014.

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

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):
            Sept. 18, considered and passed Senate.
            Dec. 3, considered and passed House.

                                  <all>