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H.R. 3403 96th Congress House

Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act

Official title: A bill to implement the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

Introduced: April 3, 1979 See on congress.gov
Foreign Trade and International Finance Advisory bodiesArchaeologyArts, Culture, ReligionCultural relations
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Educational exchangesEthnologyForeign Trade and InvestmentsImport restrictionsImportsNational treasuresTreaties
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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 3, 1979
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
Apr 3, 1979
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 3, 1979

Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act - Authorizes the President to enter into agreements with countries, which are parties to the "Convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property," to apply import restrictions on the archaeological or ethnological materials of requesting countries. Directs the President to seek a commitment of the requesting country to permit the exchange of such materials. Requires the President to report to Congress concerning such agreements. Authorizes the President to apply import restrictions if it is determined that an emergency condition applies with respect to such materials.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate a list of the archaeological or ethnological materials covered by such agreements or emergency actions.

Establishes a Cultural Property Advisory Committee to review requests and recommend whether an agreement should be consummated or an emergency action implemented. Requires the Committee to review the effectiveness of such agreements or emergency actions.

Prohibits the importation into the United States of: (1) designated archaeological or ethnological materials unless the appropriate country issues a document of lawful exportation; or (2) cultural articles stolen from a museum or a religious or secular institution.

Sets forth procedures for temporary disposition, seizure, and forfeiture of articles under this Act. Exempts certain articles from this Act.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3403: Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act. 96th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3403/
MLA
"H.R. 3403: Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act." 96th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3403/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3403, 96th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3403/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3403: Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3403/)
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