H.R. 5853 · In committee · Foreign Trade and International Finance

To amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to increase the civil penalties that may be imposed under such Act.

Sponsor: Keith Self (R-TX)

What it does

• Increases the maximum civil penalty for each violation of a regulation, order, or license under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to $1.2 million or four times the transaction value, whichever is greater.
• Raises the current maximum of $300,000 or twice the transaction value.
• Applies to a maximum that the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security adjusts annually for inflation.

Official summary

This bill increases civil penalties for violations of U.S. export control laws. Specifically, the bill increases the maximum statutory civil penalty for each violation of any regulation, order, or license issued under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) to $1.2 million or four times the value of the transaction, whichever is greater. (Currently, the maximum statutory civil penalty for each violation of ECRA is $300,000 or twice the value of the transaction, whichever is greater. The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security adjusts this maximum amount annually for inflation.)

Latest action

Apr 22, 2026: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.

Committee: House Foreign Affairs