Bill · H.R. 8202· House(119-HR-8202)
To amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to provide for a ten-year statute of limitations for export control violations.
- Introduced
- 4/6/2026
- Last activity
- 4/22/2026 — Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
- Sponsored by
- Ryan Mackenzie
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill proposes an amendment to the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. It aims to establish a ten-year statute of limitations for export control violations. Under this proposal, actions for civil fines, penalties, or forfeitures must be started within 10 years of the violation. Additionally, criminal prosecutions and indictments must be instituted within 10 years of the latest date of the violation.
Yes
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+5
By implementing a statute of limitations, the bill protects individuals from indefinite legal jeopardy for past actions.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Business owners benefit from knowing that their legal liability for export violations will not extend indefinitely beyond ten years.
Does this make trade with other countries easier?+2
The bill provides greater legal certainty for entities engaging in international trade by capping the window of potential liability for export control violations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Clear Time Limits for Legal Actions: The bill establishes a specific window for when legal actions can be taken, which applies to civil fines, penalties, forfeitures, and criminal prosecutions. According to Section 1, these actions must be commenced or instituted within 10 years of the violation.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Potential Limits on Enforcement: By setting a ten-year cap on when an action, suit, or proceeding can be entertained, the bill establishes a deadline after which enforcement for civil fines, penalties, or forfeitures cannot occur. Section 1 states that these will not be entertained if commenced later than 10 years after the date of the violation.
-
Constraints on Criminal Prosecution: The bill limits the time in which a person can be prosecuted, tried, or punished for an offense. Section 1 mandates that an indictment must be found or information instituted within 10 years after the latest date of the violation.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+2
- 4/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/22/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
- 4/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/6/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Joaquin CastroDemocrat · Texas
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California