I
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7061
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 25, 2008
Mr. Berman (for himself, Mr. Ackerman, and Mr. Faleomavaega) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To approve the United States-India Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, and for other purposes.
Short title and table of contents
Short title
This Act may be cited
as the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and
Nonproliferation Enhancement Act
.
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Title I—Approval of United States-India Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
Sec. 101. Approval of Agreement.
Sec. 102. Declarations of policy; certification requirement; rule of construction.
Sec. 103. Additional Protocol between India and the IAEA.
Sec. 104. Implementation of Safeguards Agreement between India and the IAEA.
Sec. 105. Modified reporting to Congress.
Title II—Strengthening United States nonproliferation law relating to peaceful nuclear cooperation
Sec. 201. Procedures regarding a subsequent arrangement on reprocessing.
Sec. 202. Initiatives and negotiations relating to agreements for peaceful nuclear cooperation.
Sec. 203. Actions required for resumption of peaceful nuclear cooperation.
Sec. 204. United States Government policy at the Nuclear Suppliers Group to strengthen the international nuclear nonproliferation regime.
Sec. 205. Conforming amendments.
Definitions
For purposes of this Act, the following definitions apply:
Agreement
The term United States-India Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy or Agreement means the Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of India Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy that was transmitted to Congress by the President on September 10, 2008.
Appropriate congressional committees
The term appropriate congressional committees means the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
Approval of United States-India Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
Approval of Agreement
In general
Notwithstanding the provisions for congressional consideration and approval of a proposed agreement for cooperation in section 123 b. and d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2153 (b) and (d)), Congress hereby approves the United States-India Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, subject to subsection (b).
Applicability of atomic energy act of 1954, hyde act, and other provisions of law
The Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 (22 U.S.C. 8001 et. seq; Public Law 109–401), and any other applicable United States law as if the Agreement had been approved pursuant to the provisions for congressional consideration and approval of a proposed agreement for cooperation in section 123 b. and d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
Sunset of exemption authority under hyde act
Section 104(f) of the Henry J. Hyde United
States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 (22 U.S.C. 8003(f))
is amended by striking the enactment of
and all that follows
through agreement
and inserting the date of the enactment
of the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation
Enhancement Act
.
Declarations of policy; certification requirement; rule of construction
Declarations of policy relating to meaning and legal effect of agreement
Congress declares that it is the understanding of the United States that the provisions of the United States-India Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy have the meanings conveyed in the authoritative representations provided by the President and his representatives to the Congress and its committees prior to September 20, 2008, regarding the meaning and legal effect of the Agreement.
Declarations of policy relating to transfer of nuclear equipment, materials, and technology to india
Congress makes the following declarations of policy:
Pursuant to section 103(a)(6) of the Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 (22 U.S.C. 8002(a)(6)), in the event that nuclear transfers to India are suspended or terminated pursuant to title I of such Act (22 U.S.C. 8001 et seq.), the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), or any other United States law, it is the policy of the United States to seek to prevent the transfer to India of nuclear equipment, materials, or technology from other participating governments in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) or from any other source.
Pursuant to section 103(b)(10) of the Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 (22 U.S.C. 8002(b)(10)), any nuclear power reactor fuel reserve provided to the Government of India for use in safeguarded civilian nuclear facilities should be commensurate with reasonable reactor operating requirements.
Certification requirement
Before exchanging
diplomatic notes pursuant to Article 16(1) of the Agreement, the President
shall certify to Congress that entry into force and implementation of the
Agreement pursuant to its terms is consistent with the obligation of the United
States under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, done at
Washington, London, and Moscow July 1, 1968, and entered into force March 5,
1970 (commonly known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
),
not in any way to assist, encourage, or induce India to manufacture or
otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
Rule of construction
Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed to supersede the legal requirements of the Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
Additional Protocol between India and the IAEA
In general
Congress urges the Government of India to sign and adhere to an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), consistent with IAEA principles, practices, and policies, at the earliest possible date.
Definition
In this section, the term Additional Protocol has the meaning given the term in section 110(1) of the Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 (22 U.S.C. 8008(1)).
Implementation of Safeguards Agreement between India and the IAEA
Licenses may be issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for transfers pursuant to the Agreement only after the President determines and certifies to Congress that—
the Agreement
Between the Government of India and the International Atomic Energy Agency for
the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities, as approved by
the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency on August 1,
2008 (the Safeguards Agreement
), has entered into force;
and
the Government of India has filed a declaration of facilities pursuant to paragraph 13 of the Safeguards Agreement that is not materially inconsistent with the facilities and schedule described in paragraph (14) of the separation plan presented in the national parliament of India on May 11, 2006, taking into account the later initiation of safeguards than was anticipated in the separation plan.
Modified reporting to Congress
Information on nuclear activities of India
Subsection (g)(1) of section 104 of the Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 (22 U.S.C. 8003) is amended—
by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), respectively; and
by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph:
any material inconsistencies between the content or timeliness of notifications by the Government of India pursuant to paragraph 14(a) of the Safeguards Agreement and the facilities and schedule described in paragraph (14) of the separation plan presented in the national parliament of India on May 11, 2006, taking into account the later initiation of safeguards than was anticipated in the separation plan;
.
Implementation and compliance report
Subsection (g)(2) of such section is amended—
in subparagraph
(K)(iv), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph
(L), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
;
and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
with respect to the United States-India
Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (hereinafter in
this subparagraph referred to as the Agreement
) approved under
section 101(a) of the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and
Nonproliferation Enhancement Act—
a listing of—
all provision of sensitive nuclear technology to India, and other such information as may be so designated by the United States or India under Article 1(Q); and
all facilities in India notified pursuant to Article 7(1) of the Agreement;
a description of—
any agreed safeguards or any other form of verification for by-product material decided by mutual agreement pursuant to the terms of Article 1(A) of the Agreement;
research and development undertaken in such areas as may be agreed between the United States and India as detailed in Article 2(2)(a.) of the Agreement;
the civil nuclear cooperation activities undertaken under Article 2(2)(d.) of the Agreement;
any United States efforts to help India develop a strategic reserve of nuclear fuel as called for in Article 2(2)(e.) of the Agreement;
any United States efforts to fulfill political commitments made in Article 5(6) of the Agreement;
any negotiations that have occurred or are ongoing under Article 6(iii.) of the Agreement; and
any transfers beyond the territorial jurisdiction of India pursuant to Article 7(2) of the Agreement, including a listing of the receiving country of each such transfer;
an analysis of—
any instances in which the United States or India requested consultations arising from concerns over compliance with the provisions of Article 7(1) of the Agreement, and the results of such consultations; and
any matters not otherwise identified in this report that have become the subject of consultations pursuant to Article 13(2) of the Agreement, and a statement as to whether such matters were resolved by the end of the reporting period; and
a statement as to whether—
any consultations are expected to occur under Article 16(5) of the Agreement; and
any enrichment is being carried out pursuant to Article 6 of the Agreement.
.
Strengthening United States nonproliferation law relating to peaceful nuclear cooperation
Procedures regarding a subsequent arrangement on reprocessing
Consultation
The President shall keep the appropriate congressional committees fully and currently informed of any discussions or negotiations related to any proposed subsequent arrangement concerning arrangements and procedures regarding reprocessing or other alteration in form or content, as provided for in Article 6 of the United States-India Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. In particular, the President shall inform the appropriate congressional committees at the earliest possible time after a request by the Government of India to initiate discussions or negotiations under Article 6 of the Agreement and shall brief the appropriate congressional committees each month on such discussions or negotiations until an arrangement is reached.
Approval
Notwithstanding section 131 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2160), no proposed subsequent arrangement concerning arrangements and procedures regarding reprocessing or other alteration in form or content, as provided for in Article 6 of the Agreement, shall take effect until the requirements specified in subsection (c) are met.
Requirements
The requirements referred to in subsection (b) are the following:
The President transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing—
the reasons for entering into such proposed subsequent arrangement;
a detailed description, including the text, of such proposed subsequent arrangement; and
a certification that the United States will pursue efforts to ensure that any other nation that permits India to reprocess or otherwise alter in form or content nuclear material that the nation has transferred to India or nuclear material and by-product material used in or produced through the use of nuclear material, non-nuclear material, or equipment that it has transferred to India requires India to do so under similar arrangements and procedures.
A period of 30 days of continuous session (as defined by section 130 g.(2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2159 (g)(2)) has elapsed after transmittal of the report required under paragraph (1).
Resolution of disapproval
Notwithstanding the requirements in subsection (c) having been met, a subsequent arrangement referred to in subsection (b) shall not become effective if during the time specified in subsection (c)(2), Congress adopts, and there is enacted, a joint resolution stating in substance that Congress does not favor such subsequent arrangement. Any such resolution shall be considered pursuant to the procedures set forth in section 130 i. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2159 (i)), as amended by section 205 of this Act.
Initiatives and negotiations relating to agreements for peaceful nuclear cooperation
Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2153) is amended by adding at the end the following:
The President shall keep the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate fully and currently informed of any initiative or negotiations relating to a new or amended agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation pursuant to this section (except an agreement arranged pursuant to section 91 c., 144 b., 144 c., or 144 d., or an amendment thereto). In carrying out this subsection, the President shall consult with the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate not less than 15 calendar days before each of the following: (1) The President’s announcement of any initiative relating to such a new or amended agreement. (2) The initiation of any formal or informal negotiations relating to such a new or amended agreement. (3) The receipt or transmission of a draft of such a new or amended agreement.
.
Actions required for resumption of peaceful nuclear cooperation
Section 129 a. of the Atomic Energy Act of
1954 (42 U.S.C. 2158 (a)) is amended by striking Congress adopts a
concurrent resolution
and inserting Congress adopts, and there
is enacted, a joint resolution
.
United States Government policy at the Nuclear Suppliers Group to strengthen the international nuclear nonproliferation regime
Certification
Before exchanging diplomatic notes pursuant to Article 16(1) of the Agreement, the President shall certify to the appropriate congressional committees that it is the policy of the United States to work with members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), individually and collectively, to agree to further restrict the transfers of equipment and technology related to the enrichment of uranium and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel.
Peaceful use assurances for certain by-product material
The President shall seek to achieve, by the earliest possible date, either within the NSG or with relevant NSG Participating Governments, the adoption of principles, reporting, and exchanges of information as may be appropriate to assure peaceful use and accounting of by-product material in a manner that is substantially equivalent to the relevant provisions of the Agreement.
Report
In general
Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every six months thereafter, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on efforts by the United States pursuant to subsections (a) and (b).
Termination
The requirement to transmit the report under paragraph (1) terminates on the date on which the President transmits a report pursuant to such paragraph stating that the objectives in subsections (a) and (b) have been achieved.
Conforming amendments
Section 130 i. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2159 (i)) is amended—
in paragraph (1),
by striking means a joint resolution
and all that follows
through , with the date
and inserting the
following:
means—
for an agreement for cooperation pursuant
to section 123 of this Act, a joint resolution, the matter after the resolving
clause of which is as follows: That the Congress (does or does not)
favor the proposed agreement for cooperation transmitted to the Congress by the
President on _____ .
,
for a determination under section 129 of
this Act, a joint resolution, the matter after the resolving clause of which is
as follows: That the Congress does not favor the determination
transmitted to the Congress by the President on _____ .
, or
for a subsequent
arrangement under section 201 of the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation
Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act, a joint resolution, the matter
after the resolving clause of which is as follows: That the Congress
does not favor the subsequent arrangement to the Agreement for Cooperation
Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of
India Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy that was transmitted to
Congress by the President on September 10, 2008.
,
with the date
;
in paragraph (2)—
in the first sentence—
by
striking a proposed agreement for cooperation is submitted to the House
of Representatives and the Senate under section 123 d.
and inserting
a proposed agreement for cooperation pursuant to section 123 d. of this
Act, a determination under section 129 of this Act, or a subsequent arrangement
under section 201 of the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and
Nonproliferation Enhancement Act, as the case may be, is submitted to the House
of Representatives and the Senate
; and
by
inserting after such agreement for cooperation
the following
, determination, or subsequent arrangement, as the case may be,
;
and
in the second sentence, by inserting after
such an agreement for cooperation
the following ,
determination, or subsequent arrangement, as the case may be,
;
and
in paragraph (4)—
by inserting after
45 days after its introduction
the following (or in the
case of a joint resolution related to a subsequent arrangement under section
201 of the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and
Nonproliferation Enhancement Act, 15 days after its introduction)
;
and
by inserting after
45-day period
the following: (or in the case of a joint
resolution related to a subsequent arrangement under section 201 of the United
States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act,
15-day period)
.