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HR-8202House2026-04-06Foreign Trade and International Finance

To amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to provide for a ten-year statute of limitations for export control violations.

YourVoice.Now Summary

Criminal Justice & Due Process

Sets a 10-year deadline for the government to bring civil or criminal cases over export-control violations.

Criminal Justice & Due Process

  • Statute of limitations — Set at 10 years for criminal export-control violations
  • Enforcement window for civil penalties — Set at 10 years for export-control fines and forfeitures

The details

Companies and people who break U.S. export control laws can face civil fines and criminal charges. This bill would set a clear 10-year deadline for the government to act. It amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. Enforcement of civil fines, penalties, or forfeitures could not start more than 10 years after a violation. Criminal charges would also have to be brought within 10 years. The change sets a fixed window for holding violators accountable. It affects businesses and individuals involved in exporting controlled goods or technology.

Congressional Summary

This bill extends from 5 to 10 years the statute of limitations for civil and criminal violations of U.S. export control laws. The bill also specifies that the commencement of an action, suit, or proceeding includes the issuance of a charging letter. (A charging letter is a formal notification by the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security that a company or individual is under investigation for an apparent violation of export administration laws or regulations.)

Legislative Subjects

Civil actions and liabilityTrade restrictions

Details

Congress
119th
Chamber
House
Status
summarized
Action
Introduced in House
Action Date
2026-04-06
Date Added
2026-07-21
Source
Congress.gov →

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