S. 3904 – Reading Mode

109th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3904

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 15, 2006

Mr. Baucus introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

A BILL

To extend the generalized system of preferences program under the Trade Act of 1974, to extend the Andean Trade Preference Act, to extend certain trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Emergency Trade Program Extension Act of 2006.

Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

Title V of the Trade Act of 1974 (relating to the generalized system of preferences), the Andean Trade Preference Act, and the African Growth and Opportunity Act have played an important role in advancing United States trade policy goals, providing important benefits to United States workers, farmers, and businesses, and helping to trigger sustainable economic growth in developing countries for more than 30 years.

(2)

A key United States trade policy goal relating to the future of these programs is to ensure that they continue to meet their stated goals; and, in particular, in regard to the African Growth and Opportunity Act, that it provide the continuity, stability, and predictability necessary to establish by 2020 a stable and globally competitive textile and apparel industry in Africa.

Extension of generalized system of preferences

Section 505 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2465) is amended by striking 2006 and inserting 2008.

Extension of Andean Trade Preference Act

Section 208 of the Andean Trade Preference Act (19 U.S.C. 3206) is amended by striking 2006 and inserting 2008.

African Growth and Opportunity Act

(a)

Preferential treatment of apparel articles

Section 112(b)(3)(B) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(b)(3)(B)) is amended—

(1)

in clause (i), by striking 2007 and inserting 2008;

(2)

in clause (ii)—

(A)

by striking and at the end of subclause (III);

(B)

in subclause (IV)—

(i)

by striking 1.6071 percent and inserting 3.2143 percent; and

(ii)

by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(V)

3.5 percent for the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2007.

;

(3)

in clause (iii)—

(A)

by striking and at the end of subclause (II);

(B)

by striking the period at the end of subclause (III) and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(IV)

Mauritius.

; and

(4)

by striking clause (iv).

(b)

Hearings

The Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate shall conduct hearings in the 110th Congress on—

(1)

the future of trade preference programs under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the Andean Trade Preference Act, the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, and title V of the Trade Act of 1974 (relating to the generalized system of preferences);

(2)

the efficacy of those trade preference programs, including the impact of product exclusions and rules of origin in promoting trade with beneficiary countries; and

(3)

the relationship of those trade preference programs to negotiations in the World Trade Organization Doha Development Agenda, including negotiations toward liberalized trade in goods and services and enhanced opportunities for the least developed countries.