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H.R. 3216 96th Congress House

Export Administration Reform Act of 1979

Official title: A bill to amend the Export Administration Act of 1969 to improve the administration of export controls by assigning to the Secretary of Defense the primary res… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend the Export Administration Act of 1969 to improve the administration of export controls by assigning to the Secretary of Defense the primary responsibility for identifying the types of technologies and goods which shall be controlled for national security purposes; by providing for a comprehensive and continuing review of export controls with a view to strengthen controls over exports of critical technologies and goods while facilitating exports of any technologies and goods which will not significantly adversely affect the national security of the United States; and by providing for Congressional oversight of such exports; and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 22, 1979 See on congress.gov
Foreign Trade and International Finance Advisory bodiesCongress and CongressmenCongressional oversightDepartment of Defense
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Executive reorganizationExport controlsExportsFederal advisory bodiesForeign Trade and InvestmentsNational Security and Intelligence OperationsNegotiationsScience and technologyStrategic materialsTechnology transferTrade agreementsTreaties
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This bill died when the 96th Congress ended
It never became law before the 96th Congress (1979–1980) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 22, 1979
Referred to House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mar 22, 1979
Introduced in House
Mar 22, 1979
Referred to House Committee on Armed Services.
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 Latest action March 22, 1979

Referred to House Committee on Armed Services.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Export Administration Reform Act of 1979 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to make the Secretary of Defense responsible for identifying technologies and goods which shall be controlled for national security purposes. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Technology Export to assist the Secretary.

Directs the President to issue rules and regulations limiting the export of critical technologies and goods and significant technologies and goods. Prohibits the President from restricting the export of significant technologies or goods which are available from foreign sources. Directs the President to negotiate with foreign countries to eliminate the availability for export of technologies and goods detrimental to U.S. national security.

Prohibits the President from modifying the Secretary's classification of technologies and goods and findings as to availability unless (1) the President submits a national security impact statement to Congress and (2) Congress does not disapprove. Requires the appropriate Federal agency to submit national security impact statements upon the request of Congress.

Provides for the appointment of technical advisory committees by the Secretary of Defense (instead of the Secretary of Commerce).

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3216: Export Administration Reform Act of 1979. 96th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3216/
MLA
"H.R. 3216: Export Administration Reform Act of 1979." 96th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3216/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3216, 96th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3216/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3216: Export Administration Reform Act of 1979](https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3216/)
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