H.R. 1153 would allow the Administration to impose sanctions on any foreign person who works with or uses software that is under the jurisdiction of the People’s Republic of China and that contributes to Chinese military or intelligence efforts. The bill also would newly authorize the President to regulate the transfer of sensitive information, which includes personally identifiable information. In addition, the bill would require the Administration to periodically provide to the Congress a list of foreign countries that are democracies or emerging democracies and are partners of the United States. Finally, 90 days after enactment, the President would be required to determine whether entities that own or operate certain connected software applications would be subject to sanctions. The authority to impose sanctions would expire after five years.
