Public Law 113–296 113th Congress An Act

128 STAT. 4075 PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014

Public Law 113–296

113th Congress

An Act

To enhance the strategic partnership between the United States and Israel.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘United States-Israel Strategic

Partnership Act of 2014’’.

SEC. 2. 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 intel-

ligence matters.

(3) From Gaza, Hamas continues to deny Israel’s right

to exist and persists in firing rockets indiscriminately at popu-

lation centers in Israel.

(4) Hezbollah—with support from Iran—continues to stock-

pile 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. 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 assist-

ance to Israel and the semi-annual Strategic Dialogue between

the United States and Israel;

22 USC 8602

note.

22 USC 8601

note.

22 USC 8601

note.

United States-

Israel Strategic

Partnership Act

of 2014.

Dec. 19, 2014

[S. 2673]

VerDate Mar 15 2010 01:32 Jan 23, 2015 Jkt 049139 PO 00296 Frm 00001 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL296.113 PUBL296

ccoleman on DSK8P6SHH1 with PUBLAWLAW

128 STAT. 4076 PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014

(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 assist-

ance, 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 Pales-

tinian 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) D

EPARTMENT OF

EFENSE

PPROPRIATIONS

, 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) F

OREIGN

SSISTANCE

CT 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. ELIGIBILITY OF ISRAEL FOR THE STRATEGIC TRADE

AUTHORIZATION EXCEPTION TO CERTAIN EXPORT CONTROL

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.

(a) F

INDINGS

.—Congress finds that Israel—

(1) has adopted high standards in the field of export con-

trols;

(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 Indiscrimi-

nate 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 Bacterio-

logical Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva June 17,

1925; and

Nuclear Material, adopted at Vienna on October 26, 1979.

(b) E

LIGIBILITY FOR

TRATEGIC

RADE

UTHORIZATION

XCEP

TION

.—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 require-

ment for a license for the export, reexport, or in-country transfer

of an item subject to controls under the Export Administration

Regulations.

President.

22 USC 8603

note.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 01:32 Jan 23, 2015 Jkt 049139 PO 00296 Frm 00002 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL296.113 PUBL296

ccoleman on DSK8P6SHH1 with PUBLAWLAW

128 STAT. 4077 PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014

SEC. 7. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL COOPERATION ON ENERGY, WATER,

HOMELAND SECURITY, AGRICULTURE, AND ALTERNATIVE

FUEL TECHNOLOGIES.

(a) I

ENERAL

.—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) R

EQUIREMENTS

.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Presi-

dent 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.

OOPERATIVE

ESEARCH

ILOT

ROGRAMS

.—The Secretary

of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the Homeland

Security Advanced Research Projects Agency and with the concur-

rence 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. REPORT ON INCREASED UNITED STATES-ISRAEL COOPERA-

TION 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 tech-

nologies related to the prevention of cybercrimes.

SEC. 9. STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING THE VISA WAIVER PRO-

GRAM.

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. 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

President.

Deadline.

22 USC 8602

note.

President.

Classified

information.

President.

22 USC 8606.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 01:32 Jan 23, 2015 Jkt 049139 PO 00296 Frm 00003 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL296.113 PUBL296

ccoleman on DSK8P6SHH1 with PUBLAWLAW

128 STAT. 4078 PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014

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 QUALI-

TATIVE MILITARY EDGE AND SECURITY POSTURE.

(a) B

IENNIAL

SSESSMENT

EEVALUATIONS

.—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) B

IENNIAL UPDATES

.—Two years after the date on which

each quadrennial report is transmitted to Congress, the Presi-

dent shall—

‘‘(A) reevaluate the assessment required under sub-

section (a); and

‘‘(B) inform and consult with the appropriate congres-

sional committees on the results of the reevaluation con-

ducted pursuant to subparagraph (A).’’.

(b) C

ERTIFICATION

EQUIREMENTS FOR

AJOR

EFENSE

QUIP

MENT

.—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) R

EQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO DETERMINATION FOR

MAJOR DEFENSE EQUIPMENT

.—A determination under para-

graph (1) relating to the sale or export of major defense equip-

ment 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 secu-

rity 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) F

INDINGS

.—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 ‘‘pos-

sible—

‘‘(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 estab-

lished programs of the United States-Israel Binational

Industrial Research and Development Foundation and the

United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation;’’;

(3) in paragraph (6)—

Consultation.

President.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 01:32 Jan 23, 2015 Jkt 049139 PO 00296 Frm 00004 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL296.113 PUBL296

ccoleman on DSK8P6SHH1 with PUBLAWLAW

128 STAT. 4079 PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014

(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 mat-

ters;

‘‘(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;

VerDate Mar 15 2010 01:32 Jan 23, 2015 Jkt 049139 PO 00296 Frm 00005 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL296.113 PUBL296

ccoleman on DSK8P6SHH1 with PUBLAWLAW

128 STAT. 4080 PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014

‘‘(H) private sector and business development engage-

ment;

‘‘(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 chal-

lenges facing the United States and Israel, respectively.’’.

(b) G

RANT

ROGRAM

.—Section 917(b) of the Energy Independ-

ence 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

‘‘(H) natural gas energy, including conventional and

unconventional natural gas technologies and other associ-

ated 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’’.

NTERNATIONAL

ARTNERSHIPS

; R

EGIONAL

NERGY

OOPERA

TION

.—

(1) I

NTERNATIONAL 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) I

NTERNATIONAL

ARTNERSHIPS

.—

‘‘(1) I

N GENERAL

.—The Secretary, subject to the availability

of appropriations, may enter into cooperative agreements sup-

porting and enhancing dialogue and planning involving inter-

national partnerships between the Department, including

National Laboratories of the Department, and the Government

of Israel and its ministries, offices, and institutions.

‘‘(2) F

EDERAL SHARE

.—The Secretary may not pay more

than 50 percent of Federal share of the costs of implementing

Contracts.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 01:32 Jan 23, 2015 Jkt 049139 PO 00296 Frm 00006 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL296.113 PUBL296

ccoleman on DSK8P6SHH1 with PUBLAWLAW

128 STAT. 4081 PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2673:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):

Sept. 18, considered and passed Senate.

Dec. 3, considered and passed House.

cooperative agreements entered into pursuant to paragraph

(1).

‘‘(3) A

NNUAL REPORTS

.—If the Secretary enters into agree-

ments 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 Rep-

resentatives, 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 agree-

ments.

‘‘(d) U

NITED

TATES

-I

SRAEL

NERGY

ENTER

.—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, tech-

nology transfer, and analysis of emerging geopolitical implications,

crises and threats from foreign natural resource and energy acquisi-

tions, 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) C

ONSTRUCTIVE 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.

22 USC 8606

note.

Establishment.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 01:32 Jan 23, 2015 Jkt 049139 PO 00296 Frm 00007 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6580 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL296.113 PUBL296

ccoleman on DSK8P6SHH1 with PUBLAWLAW