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HR 4292 113th Congress House

Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act

Official title: To amend chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, to clarify the exception to foreign sovereign immunity set forth in section 1605(a)(3) of such title.

Introduced: March 25, 2014 See on congress.gov
Law Art, artists, authorshipCultural exchanges and relationsGovernment liabilityInternational law and treaties
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Jurisdiction and venueMuseums, exhibitions, cultural centersProperty rightsWar crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
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This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 15 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 7, 2014
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 6, 2014
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4292.
May 6, 2014
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 - 4 (Roll no. 194). (text: CR H3428-3429)
May 6, 2014
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3433-3434)
May 6, 2014
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 6, 2014
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3428-3430)
May 6, 2014
Mr. Chabot moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
May 6, 2014
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 323.
May 6, 2014
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 113-435.
Apr 2, 2014
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Apr 2, 2014
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 31, 2014
Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice Discharged.
Mar 26, 2014
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Mar 25, 2014
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 25, 2014
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
May 6, 2014 House · vote #194 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 388–4 See who voted →
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 Latest action May 7, 2014

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act - Amends the federal judicial code with respect to denial of a foreign state's immunity from the jurisdiction of U.S. or state courts (under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act) in cases where rights in property taken in violation of international law are in issue and that property (or any property exchanged for it) is: (1) present in the United States in connection with a commercial activity carried on by the foreign state in the United States; or (2) owned by an agency or instrumentality of the foreign state, and that agency or instrumentality is engaged in a commercial activity in the United States.

Prohibits consideration as a commercial activity (excluded from jurisdictional immunity) any activity in the United States of a foreign state, or of any carrier, associated with a temporary exhibition or display if: (1) the work of art (or other object of cultural significance) is imported into the United States from any foreign country pursuant to an agreement for its temporary exhibition or display between a foreign state that is its owner or custodian and the United States or cultural or educational institutions within it; and (2) the President has determined, with notice in the Federal Register, that such work is culturally significant and its temporary exhibition or display is in the national interest. (Thus, grants jurisdictional immunity to the foreign state and associated carrier for such works.)

Denies application of this prohibition to cases concerning rights in property taken in violation of international law in which: (1) the action is based upon a claim that the work was taken between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945, by the government of Germany or any government in Europe occupied, assisted, or allied by the German government; (2) the court determines that the activity associated with the exhibition or display is commercial; and (3) that determination is necessary for the court to exercise jurisdiction over the foreign state.

 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1
D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Mar 25, 2014
GOODLATTE, ROBERT
· Mar 25, 2014
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4292: Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4292/
MLA
"H.R. 4292: Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4292/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4292, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4292/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4292: Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4292/)
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