What does Preamble of BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 The amendment seeks to ensure expeditious processing of license applications The bill has other purposes beyond license application processing

What does SHORT TITLE. of BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026.

What does FINDINGS. of BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings related to the processing of export licenses. It references several existing regulations and laws concerning export control administration. Section 1756(a)(2) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 mandates expeditious licensing decisions with transparency to applicants. Section 1756(b) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 expresses Congress’s sense that evaluations and processing should generally occur within 30 days. Executive Order 12981 and the Export Control Reform Act stipulate license applications should be resolved or referred to the President within 90 calendar days. The Export Administration Regulations specify a 90-day timeframe for resolving license applications.

What does SENSE OF CONGRESS. of BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026 do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress regarding export license delays at the Bureau of Industry and Security. Congress believes these delays create uncertainty for U.S. exporters and manufacturers, potentially harming the U.S. economy. Efficient and predictable export license processing is considered critical for the competitiveness of U.S. technology companies and global supply chain stability. The section emphasizes the need for an efficient export control system and expeditious license decisions to maintain U.S. technology and economic leadership. Congress states that transparency in license review efficiency and timeliness is necessary for Congressional oversight.

What does LICENSING TIMELINE; LICENSING REVIEWS. of BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 1756 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. It redesignates subsection (e) as subsection (g) and modifies the header. New subsections (e) and (f) are inserted to address licensing timeline and reviews.

What does QUARTERLY REPORT ON LICENSE PROCESSING. of BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to require the Secretary to submit quarterly reports to specified congressional committees. The initial report must cover the preceding one-year period and include data on the total number of license applications submitted, their statuses (received, on hold, referred, signed off, countersigned, validated), and the number of licenses approved, denied, and returned without action. Subsequent reports must cover the preceding quarter and include similar data. The reports must also detail average and median processing times for license applications, broken down by end-user country, Export Control Classification Number (ECCN), and type of transfer (export, re-export, deemed export, or in-country transfer). The reports must include the number of applications referred to the Department of State, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy. The reports must also identify license applications pending for 90 calendar days or more and summarize the reasons for the delays.

What does AUDIT AND REPORT BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES. of BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026 do?

This section mandates an audit of the Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) license review process. The audit, conducted by the Comptroller General of the United States, must begin within 90 days of the Act's enactment. The audit should analyze whether licensing decisions align with the Export Control Reform Act of 2018's procedures and timelines. The audit aims to identify bottlenecks impacting the timing of licensing decisions. A report detailing the audit's findings must be submitted to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs within one year of enactment. The report must also be posted on a publicly available website of the United States Government Accountability Office.

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BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/22/2026 · Introduced: 4/15/2026

Author: Gregory Meeks (D-NY)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to establish new licensing timeline requirements and review procedures within the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).
The bill requires the Secretary to submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing license application data, including processing times, statuses, and reasons for delays exceeding 90 days.
It mandates an audit by the Comptroller General of the United States to assess BIS's license review process and identify bottlenecks impacting decision timelines.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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