22 U.S.C. § 290q — Organization of American States revital-

Page 279 TITLE 22—FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE § 290q § 290o–6. Effectiveness of Agreement The Agreement shall have full force and effect in the United States, its territories and posses- sions, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, upon acceptance of membership by the United States in the Bank and the entry into force of the Agreement. (Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(c) [title VII, § 708], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–121, 3009–180.) § 290o–7. Exemption from securities laws for cer- tain securities issued by Bank; reports re- quired (a) Exemption from securities laws; reports to Securities and Exchange Commission Any securities issued by the Bank (including any guaranty by the Bank, whether or not lim- ited in scope) in connection with borrowing of funds, or the guarantee of securities as to both principal and interest, shall be deemed to be ex- empted securities within the meaning of section 77c(a)(2) of title 15 and section 78c(a)(12) of title 15. The Bank shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such annual and other re- ports with regard to such securities as the Com- mission shall determine to be appropriate in view of the special character of the Bank and its operations and necessary in the public interest or for the protection of investors. (b) Authority of Securities and Exchange Com- mission to suspend exemption; reports to Congress The Securities and Exchange Commission, act- ing in consultation with such agency or officer as the President shall designate, may suspend the provisions of subsection (a) at any time as to any or all securities issued or guaranteed by the Bank during the period of such suspension. The Commission shall include in its annual re- ports to the Congress such information as it shall deem advisable with regard to the oper- ations and effect of this section. (Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(c) [title VII, § 709], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–121, 3009–180.) SUBCHAPTER XXXI—INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY § 290p. Acceptance of statute and membership For fiscal year 2011 and thereafter, the Presi- dent is authorized to accept the statute of, and to maintain membership of the United States in, the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the United States’ assessed contributions to maintain such membership may be paid from funds appropriated for ‘‘Contributions to Inter- national Organizations’’. (Pub. L. 111–212, title I, § 1014, July 29, 2010, 124 Stat. 2332.) SUBCHAPTER XXXII—ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES § 290q. Organization of American States revital- ization and reform strategy (a) Strategy (1) In general Not later than 180 days after October 2, 2013, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a multiyear strategy that— (A) identifies a path toward the adoption of necessary reforms that prioritize and re- inforce the OAS’s core competencies de- scribed in section 4(8); (B) outlines an approach to secure from the OAS effective adoption of— (i) a results-based budgeting process in order to strategically prioritize, and where appropriate, reduce current and future mandates; and (ii) transparent hiring, firing, and pro- motion practices; (C) reflects the inputs and coordination from other Executive Branch agencies, as appropriate; and (D) identifies a path toward the adoption of necessary reforms that would— (i) lead to an assessed fee structure in which no member state would pay more than 50 percent of the OAS’s assessed year- ly fees; and (ii) seek to minimize the negative finan- cial impact on the OAS and its operations. (2) Policy priorities and coordination The Secretary of State shall— (A) carry out diplomatic engagement to build support for reforms and budgetary bur- den sharing among OAS member states and observers; and (B) promote donor coordination among OAS member states. (b) Briefings The Secretary of State shall offer to the com- mittees referred to in subsection (a)(1) a quar- terly briefing that— (1) reviews assessed and voluntary contribu- tions; (2) analyzes the progress made by the OAS to adopt and effectively implement a results- based budgeting process in order to strategi- cally prioritize, and where appropriate, reduce current and future mandates; (3) analyzes the progress made by the OAS to adopt and effectively implement transparent and merit-based human resource standards and practices and transparent hiring, firing, and promotion standards and processes, in- cluding with respect to factors such as gender and national origin; (4) analyzes the progress made by the OAS to adopt and effectively implement a practice of soliciting member quotas to be paid on a schedule that will improve the consistency of its operating budget; and (5) analyzes the progress made by the OAS to review, streamline, and prioritize mandates to focus on core missions and make efficient and effective use of available funding. (Pub. L. 113–41, § 5, Oct. 2, 2013, 127 Stat. 550.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT Section 4(8), referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), is section 4(8) of Pub. L. 113–41, Oct. 2, 2013, 127 Stat. 549, which is not classified to the Code. Page 280 TITLE 22—FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE § 290q Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries SHORT TITLE Pub. L. 113–41, § 1, Oct. 2, 2013, 127 Stat. 548, provided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting this section and provisions set out as notes under this section] may be cited as the ‘Organization of American States Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013’.’’ ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES LEGISLATIVE ENGAGEMENT Pub. L. 116–343, Jan. 13, 2021, 134 Stat. 5136, provided that: ‘‘SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘This Act may be cited as the ‘Organization of Amer- ican States Legislative Engagement Act of 2020’. ‘‘SEC. 2. FINDINGS. ‘‘Congress makes the following findings: ‘‘(1) The Charter of the Organization of American States establishes that ‘representative democracy is an indispensable condition for the stability, peace and development of the region’. ‘‘(2) Article 2 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter of the Organization of American States af- firms that ‘the effective exercise of representative de- mocracy is the basis for the rule of law and of the constitutional regimes of the member states of the Organization of American States’. ‘‘(3) Article 26 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter states that ‘the OAS will continue to carry out programs and activities designed to promote democratic principles and practices and strengthen a democratic culture in the Hemisphere’. ‘‘(4) In accordance with the OAS Charter and the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the OAS Gen- eral Assembly, OAS Permanent Council, and OAS Secretariat have established a wide range of coopera- tive agreements with domestic and international or- ganizations, including national legislative institu- tions. ‘‘(5) In 2004, OAS General Assembly Resolution 2044 (XXXIV–O/04) appealed for the ‘strengthening of legis- latures, as well as inter-parliamentary cooperation on key items of the inter-American agenda, with a view, in particular, to generating initiatives to fight corruption, poverty, inequality, and social exclusion’. ‘‘(6) In 2005, OAS General Assembly Resolution 2095 (XXXV–O/05) called on the OAS Secretariat to ‘invite [. . .] the presidents or speakers of the national legis- lative institutions of the Americas, i.e., congresses, parliaments, or national assemblies, [. . .] to attend a special meeting of the Permanent Council [. . .] for the initiation of a dialogue on topics on the hemi- spheric agenda’. ‘‘(7) In 2014 and 2015, the OAS Secretariat expanded its engagement with elected national legislators from OAS member states by convening two meetings of presidents of national legislatures, first in Lima, Peru and subsequently in Santiago, Chile. ‘‘(8) However, no permanent procedures exist to fa- cilitate the participation of elected national legisla- tors from OAS member states in OAS activities. ‘‘(9) The Organization for Security and Co-oper- ation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly has proven successful at strengthening inter-parliamen- tary cooperation among its member states. ‘‘SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. ‘‘It is that sense of Congress that— ‘‘(1) elected national legislators play an essential role in the exercise of representative democracy in the Americas, including by— ‘‘(A) promoting economic freedom and respect for property rights; ‘‘(B) promoting the rule of law and combating corruption; ‘‘(C) defending human rights and fundamental freedoms; and ‘‘(D) advancing the principles and practices ex- pressed in the Charter of the Organization of Amer- ican States, the American Declaration on [probably should be ‘‘of’’] the Rights and Duties of Man, and the Inter-American Democratic Charter; ‘‘(2) establishing procedures and mechanisms to fa- cilitate the participation of elected national legisla- tors from OAS member states in OAS activities could contribute to the promotion of democratic principles and practices and strengthen a democratic culture in the Western Hemisphere; ‘‘(3) increasing and strengthening the participation of elected national legislators from OAS member states in OAS activities could advance the principles and proposals expressed in section 4 of the Organiza- tion of American States Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013 (Public Law 113–41; 127 Stat. 549); ‘‘(4) the OAS General Assembly, OAS Permanent Council, and OAS Secretariat should take steps to fa- cilitate greater participation of elected national leg- islators from OAS member states in OAS activities; ‘‘(5) the OAS Permanent Council resolutions titled ‘Guidelines for the Participation of Civil Society [Or- ganizations] in OAS Activities’ and ‘Strategies for In- creasing and Strengthening Participation by Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities’ should serve as important references for efforts to bolster the par- ticipation of elected national legislators from OAS member states in OAS activities; and ‘‘(6) the successful experience of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamen- tary Assembly should serve as a model to the OAS in creating a similar mechanism. ‘‘SEC. 4. STRENGTHENING PARTICIPATION OF ELECTED NATIONAL LEGISLATORS AT THE OAS. ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State, acting through the United States Mission to the Organization of American States, should use the voice and vote of the United States to support the creation of procedures for the Organization of American States that— ‘‘(1) enhance the participation of democratically elected national legislators from OAS member state countries in OAS activities that advance the prin- ciples of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the core values of the OAS consistent with the prin- ciples and proposals expressed in section 4 of the Or- ganization of American States Revitalization and Re- form Act of 2013 (Public Law 113–41; 127 Stat. 549); ‘‘(2) create an annual forum for democratically elected national legislatures from OAS member states to discuss issues of hemispheric importance, including regional efforts to defend human rights and combat transnational criminal activities, corruption, and impunity; ‘‘(3) permit elected national legislators from OAS member states to make presentations, contribute in- formation, and provide expert advice, as appropriate, to the OAS Secretariat, OAS Permanent Council, and OAS General Assembly about OAS activities on issues of hemispheric importance; ‘‘(4) lead to the creation of a mechanism to regu- larly facilitate the participation of elected national legislators in OAS activities; and ‘‘(5) reinforce OAS Secretariat programs that pro- vide technical assistance for the modernization and institutional strengthening of national legislatures from OAS member states. ‘‘(b) EXPENSES.—The Secretary of State, acting through the United States Mission to the Organization of American States, as appropriate, shall seek to en- sure that expenses related to the procedures set forth in this Act do not increase member quotas, assessed fees, or voluntary contributions and that the Secre- tariat of the OAS shall seek to ensure shared financial responsibilities among the member states in facili- tating the financial support necessary to carry out this initiative. Page 281 TITLE 22—FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE § 290q ‘‘SEC. 5. SUPPORT FOR OAS HUMAN RIGHTS AND ANTI-CORRUPTION INITIATIVES. ‘‘(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— ‘‘(1) the efforts of the OAS Secretary General and Secretariat to combat corruption and impunity in the Americas represent important contributions to strengthening the rule of law and democratic govern- ance in the Americas; and ‘‘(2) the United States should support efforts to en- sure the effectiveness and independence of OAS ini- tiatives to combat corruption and impunity in the Americas. ‘‘(b) ANTI-CORRUPTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION STRATEGY.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Act [Jan. 13, 2021], the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Re- lations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Af- fairs of the House of Representatives a strategy for sup- porting OAS anti-corruption and human rights pro- motion efforts. The strategy should include— ‘‘(1) an assessment of United States programs, ac- tivities, and initiatives with the OAS to support anti- corruption and human rights promotion in the Amer- icas; ‘‘(2) a summary of the steps taken by the United States Mission to the OAS to strengthen anti-corrup- tion and anti-impunity efforts in the Americas; ‘‘(3) an assessment of necessary reforms and initia- tives to prioritize and reinforce the OAS Secretary General and Secretariat’s efforts to advance human rights and combat corruption and impunity in the Americas; ‘‘(4) a detailed plan to facilitate increased OAS col- laboration, as appropriate, with relevant stake- holders, including elected national legislators and civil society, in support of an approach to promote human rights and combat transnational criminal ac- tivities, corruption, and impunity in the Americas; and ‘‘(5) a detailed plan for implementing the strategy set forth in this section of the Act. ‘‘SEC. 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Rela- tions of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Af- fairs of the House of Representatives a report on OAS processes, initiatives, and reforms undertaken to im- plement section 4, actions taken to implement the strategy required under section 5(b), and steps taken to implement the Organization of American States Revi- talization and Reform Act of 2013 (Public Law 113–41) [see Short Title note set out above]. The report should include— ‘‘(1) an analysis of the progress made by the OAS to adopt and effectively implement reforms and initia- tives to advance human rights and combat corruption and impunity in the Americas; and ‘‘(2) a detailed assessment of OAS efforts to in- crease stakeholder engagement to advance human rights and combat corruption and impunity in the Americas. ‘‘(b) BRIEFINGS.—Not later than one year after the Secretary of State submits the report required under subsection (a), and annually thereafter for two addi- tional years, the Secretary shall provide to the Com- mittee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Rep- resentatives a briefing on the information required to be included in such report. ‘‘SEC. 7. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ELECTED NA- TIONAL LEGISLATOR. ‘‘It is the sense of Congress that an elected national legislator participating in the activities outlined in this Act should be an individual that— ‘‘(1) was elected as a result of periodic, free and fair elections; and ‘‘(2) is not known to be under investigation or con- victed for corruption or transnational criminal ac- tivities, including trafficking of people, goods, or il- licit narcotics, money-laundering, terrorist financ- ing, acts of terrorism, campaign finance violations, bribery, or extortion.’’ FINDINGS Pub. L. 113–41, § 2, Oct. 2, 2013, 127 Stat. 548, provided that: ‘‘Congress makes the following findings: ‘‘(1) The Charter of the Organization of American States recognizes that— ‘‘(A) representative democracy is indispensable for the stability, peace, and development of the Western Hemisphere; and ‘‘(B) a purpose of the Organization of American States is to promote and consolidate representative democracy, with due respect for the principle of nonintervention. ‘‘(2) The United States supports the purposes and principles enshrined in— ‘‘(A) the Charter of the Organization of American States; ‘‘(B) the Inter-American Democratic Charter; and ‘‘(C) the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man. ‘‘(3) The United States supports the Organization of American States in its efforts with all member states to meet our commitments under the instruments set forth in paragraph (2). ‘‘(4) Congress supports the Organization of Amer- ican States as it operates in a manner consistent with the Inter-American Democratic Charter.’’ STATEMENT OF POLICY Pub. L. 113–41, § 3, Oct. 2, 2013, 127 Stat. 548, provided that: ‘‘It is the policy of the United States— ‘‘(1) to promote democracy and the rule of law throughout the Western Hemisphere; ‘‘(2) to promote and protect human rights and fun- damental freedoms in the Western Hemisphere; and ‘‘(3) to support the practices, purposes, and prin- ciples expressed in the Charter of the Organization of American States, the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man, the Inter-American Demo- cratic Charter, and other fundamental instruments of democracy.’’ CHAPTER 8—FOREIGN SERVICE BUILDINGS Sec. 291. Lease of buildings, etc., for offices, living quarters, heat, light, and equipment. 292. Acquisition of sites and buildings for diplo- matic and consular establishments; allot- ment of space; credit of payments without regard to limitations of amounts. 292a. Demonstration of solar and other renewable energy technologies in foreign countries. 293. Repealed. 294. Manner of use of buildings; contracts for con- struction, etc. 294a. Contracts requiring payment in foreign cur- rency. 294b. Support co-location with allied partner na- tions. 295. Authorization of appropriations; Foreign Service Building Fund; expenditures; for- eign currencies. 295a, 295b. Omitted. 296. Duties of Secretary of State with respect to commission and properties. 296a. Maintenance management of overseas prop- erty. 297. Acquisition of property by lease. 297a, 298. Omitted. 299. Short title. 300. Dispositions of property; damage payments; acceptance of gifts or services. 301. Lease or rental arrangements of not less than ten years; approval by Secretary; delega- tion of authority; information to Congress.