PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 114-319.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 16, 2016
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)
Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal judicial code with respect to denial of a foreign state's sovereign immunity from the jurisdiction of U.S. or state courts in commercial activity cases where rights in property taken in violation of international law are in issue and that property, or any property exchanged for it, is: (1) present in the United States in connection with a commercial activity carried on by the foreign state in the United States, or (2) owned by an agency or instrumentality of the foreign state and that agency or instrumentality is engaged in a commercial activity in the United States.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The bill grants a foreign state or certain carriers immunity from federal or state court jurisdiction for any activity in the United States associated with a temporary exhibition or display of a work of art or other object of cultural significance if:
the work of art or other object of cultural significance is imported into the United States from any foreign country pursuant to an agreement for its temporary exhibition or display between a foreign state that is its owner or custodian and the United States or U.S. cultural or educational institutions; and
the President has determined that such work is culturally significant and its temporary exhibition or display is in the national interest.
The bill denies immunity, however, in cases concerning rights in property taken in violation of international law in which the action is based upon a claim that the work was taken: (1) between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945, by the government of Germany or any government in Europe occupied, assisted, or allied by the German government; or (2) after 1900 in connection with the acts of a foreign government as part of a systematic campaign of coercive confiscation or misappropriation of works from members of a targeted and vulnerable group. For purposes of these denials of immunity, the court must determine that the activity associated with the exhibition or display is commercial and that determination must be necessary for the court to exercise jurisdiction over the foreign state.
(Sec. 3) The Department of State must ensure that foreign states that apply for such temporary exhibition immunity are notified of the amendments made by this bill.
People & committees
Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1] · R–OH
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 114-319.
Became Public Law No: 114-319.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7128-7131)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S7128-7131)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H7551-7552)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H7551-7552)
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H7551-7552)
Mr. Goodlatte asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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