Department of State Policy Provisions Act
Sponsored By: Representative Mast
In Committee
Summary
This bill would modernize and centralize Department of State operations and global engagement, focusing on management, procurement, technology, AI, consular services, and regional strategy. It bundles new offices, reporting rules, and program pilots to push the Department toward tighter financial oversight, more U.S.-focused buying, and expanded diplomatic presence in key regions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
40 provisions identified: 29 benefits, 1 costs, 10 mixed.
AI strategy and translation at State
If enacted, State would craft a two‑year strategy to preserve U.S. leadership in advanced AI and ways to verify risky AI systems. It would study hardware safeguards, data center inspections, cloud audits, and satellite monitoring. The Department would also deploy AI translation tools across missions, with machine‑only and human‑review options on classified and unclassified networks.
Stronger regional drug and crime efforts
If enacted, State would submit a plan within 270 days to boost U.S.–Mexico local cooperation against fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. It could make five‑year narcotics and law‑enforcement compacts with partner contributions and accountability. It would work with Western Hemisphere partners to expand ATF eTrace gun‑tracing. It would also set up a Caribbean Basin Security Initiative within 180 days, report annually through 2030, and end this authority five years after enactment.
Plan to protect undersea internet cables
Within one year, the Department would submit an unclassified strategy (with an optional classified annex) to secure subsea infrastructure like cables. The plan would cover sharing information with allies, best practices to protect systems, threat assessments, joint response steps, standards leadership, and risk assessments to find weak points.
Passports blocked for terrorism support
If enacted, the Secretary of State could deny or revoke a passport for people charged with or convicted of certain terrorism crimes, or found to have given material support to a designated group. The Department could issue a limited passport so a person can return to the United States, and may grant humanitarian or emergency waivers. People could request a hearing within 60 days of notice. The Secretary would notify Congress within 30 days of each refusal or revocation.
Global health compacts and PEPFAR cuts
Global health aid would shift to multi‑year compacts in FY2026–FY2027, each with goals, benchmarks, and a phase‑out plan that lowers U.S. funding each year. The Department would publish compact texts and notify Congress before key steps. The Assistant Secretary would submit a plan to reduce PEPFAR funding by at least 50% of the last pre‑enactment year by the end of FY2028.
Lower U.S. caps on global health funds
U.S. contributions to the Global Fund would be capped at 20% of all contributions or $800 million, whichever is less. The U.S. share for the Pandemic Fund would also drop from 33% to 20%. These changes would reduce the maximum the U.S. could pay each year.
Plan to grow U.S.–Europe nuclear energy
Within 180 days, the Department and the Energy Department would submit a strategy to boost U.S.–European nuclear energy ties and reduce Russian market share through 2050. It would assess reactor types and fuel cycles (including HALEU), review U.S. industry roles and funding, set milestones, and analyze safety and nonproliferation. It may include a classified annex.
Care and support for Uyghur survivors
If enacted, the U.S. could pay up to 50% of costs for medical and mental health care for eligible Uyghur and related survivors living outside China. State would brief Congress within one year on care provided. The Department could fund groups to document alleged crimes in Xinjiang and protect witnesses. It would also offer Uyghur language training and try to place at least one Uyghur‑speaking officer at each U.S. post in China, with reports starting one year after enactment.
More pay and hiring at State
Eligible Foreign Service members stationed outside the continental U.S. could get up to two‑thirds of the DC locality pay, subject to pay limits and rules. A two‑year pilot would recruit separating servicemembers for Diplomatic Security jobs, with screening, clearances, and placement support. The Department would also speed hiring into term‑limited civil service roles in the Bureau of African Affairs and report staffing plans within 90 days.
Arctic Watcher program to track risks
If enacted, State would set up an Arctic Watcher Program to monitor security, economic, and political activity in the Arctic and counter malign influence. At least three posts would be in European countries and at least one in a North American country. State would notify Congress when people are assigned.
Back free elections and rights in Central America
If enacted, State would plan and fund monitoring for Honduras’s November 30, 2025 election and help Honduran citizens in the U.S. vote. It would also require a one‑year report on Nicaragua’s CAFTA‑DR ties and allow grants to nonprofits for human rights and democracy work in Nicaragua. Groups tied to the Ortega regime would be ineligible, and State would report on grant actions within one year.
Global health and nutrition coordination
If enacted, State could fund proven nutrition help abroad, focusing on young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, and track results. It would also allow U.S. participation in CEPI, but U.S. funds could be sent only after a specific U.S. representative is designated, with consultations to agencies and Congress.
Indian Ocean security and access plan
If enacted, State, with Defense, would craft a strategy to raise U.S. and partner presence and access in the Indian Ocean. The plan would be due by July 1, 2026 and submitted again annually for two years.
More U.S.-funded demining and safety abroad
If enacted, the Secretary could fund demining and weapons stockpile security to improve safety and land use. A report to Congress would be due within one year, with annual briefings through December 18, 2028. State could also assist Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia with surveys, clearance, and safety education, with a report due by June 27, 2026.
Pacific partnership and disaster readiness plans
If enacted, State would produce a Pacific Partnership strategy and implementation plan within 180 days, then update it yearly until January 1, 2028. It would also develop a disaster preparedness strategy for Pacific Islands countries and brief Congress within one year and annually for two years.
Stronger counterterrorism info sharing and aid
The Bureau of Counterterrorism would be allowed to get and use intelligence and law‑enforcement information from other agencies, with privacy and security safeguards. The U.S. could also provide more types of help to foreign partners, including intelligence, military support, and information sharing with U.S. law enforcement.
Task force for Central Asia projects
If enacted, the President would set up a Central Asian Connectivity Task Force to link U.S. firms to regional projects and coordinate with development banks. The task force would end on January 1, 2031.
Tougher anti‑trafficking reports and survivor input
If enacted, State would send an annual Trafficking in Persons report by June 30, with country tiers, trend data, and action plans for certain upgrades. By February 1 each year, State would give Congress an interim assessment for watch‑list countries. A country on the watch list two years in a row would move to Tier 3 unless a one‑year waiver has strong evidence. State could also hire paid consultants with lived experience to advise policy and grants.
More maternal and child health aid
The bill would allow maternal and child health programs through FY2027 in high‑mortality countries. A new Safe Passages program would fund training and resources to address major causes of maternal and infant deaths and support nutrition in the first 1,000 days. Programs would track results with common indicators and budget tags and could prioritize experienced local faith‑based providers.
Push more nuclear cooperation deals
If enacted, State would seek at least 20 new nuclear cooperation agreements by January 3, 2029 and help U.S. nuclear suppliers compete. A report would be due within one year on countries pursued and competition trends.
Transatlantic Growth Enterprise for commerce
If enacted, State would run a Transatlantic Growth Enterprise to strengthen business ties, energy cooperation, and security with selected countries. The Assistant Secretary would meet stakeholders at least twice a year and report 180 days after enactment and annually for two years.
Buy American rules for State purchases
The State Department would prioritize buying U.S.-made goods and services when they meet cost and quality needs. If a foreign vendor wins a contract, the Secretary would notify Congress within 7 days and explain why. The Department would also report within 180 days and then yearly for five years on the share bought from U.S. businesses, gaps with no American alternatives, and barriers to buying domestic.
Help U.S. small businesses go global
A Global Small Business Network could fund qualified colleges and nonprofits to help develop foreign small business centers and link U.S. firms to partners overseas. A new Africa initiative would support embassy deal teams, set measurable goals, and, if funded, place at least six full‑time staff in Africa. Annual deal‑team reports would run for five years.
Faster border permits without NEPA review
For presidential permits for international bridges and land ports with Mexico and Canada, the State Department would not compile or consider NEPA environmental documents. This change could speed permit decisions for those cross‑border projects.
More reporting, notices, and U.S. aid branding
If enacted, certain foreign missions would have to give State at least 96 hours’ notice before meetings with U.S. officials or visits to schools, with monthly reports to Congress. State would report every two years on the Global Fragility Strategy through December 31, 2029. A one‑year pilot would require extra notifications on some foreign aid projects. U.S. foreign‑assistance programs and materials would have to display the U.S. flag as the primary brand, with narrow exceptions.
New foreign policy rules on allies
The State Department would not apply a denial policy to defense exports requested by and for the Government of Cyprus as end‑user, unless there are credible human‑rights concerns; the President could waive this for one year or end it after five years under set conditions. The U.S. would not recognize sovereignty claims over South Ossetia and Abkhazia other than Georgia’s, and agencies could not act in ways that imply otherwise unless the Secretary issues a justified waiver. The African Union’s observer mission to the U.N. in New York would receive privileges and immunities like those of member‑state missions.
Stricter rules for embassies and posts
This bill would tighten how the State Department builds and manages embassies. New embassies would need to use the Standard Embassy Design unless the Secretary reports an exception and the extra costs in dollars. The Department would have to give Congress 30 days’ notice before opening, closing, moving, or starting construction, with a 7‑business‑day notice allowed after urgent security actions. It would avoid leasing or buying diplomatic buildings abroad built or owned by Chinese government‑linked entities unless Congress is notified 7 days prior with a national security justification. Art bought for permanent embassy collections after enactment would need to be made by U.S. citizens, with rules due in 90 days and an art inventory due in one year; only certain official flags could be flown at State sites.
Targeted changes to foreign aid and accounts
FMF funds for Jordan (FY2026–FY2029) would go into an interest‑bearing account at the New York Fed, with withdrawals controlled by Defense Finance and Accounting Service and interest spent only after committees are notified. For FY2026, certain defense items for Israeli reserve stockpiles would be exempt from a specific rule. The bill would ban U.S. funding for the Global Health Worker Initiative and for the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. It would repeal ZEDERA, but U.S. support for IMF/World Bank funds for Zimbabwe would require a commitment to pay set arrears within 12 months, or support would stop. It would also let Global Fragility Strategy funds cover operations and monitoring costs, and allow ESF funds for those costs despite other laws.
Faster visa interviews and sports visas
If enacted, the State Department would aim to interview 80% of nonimmigrant visa applicants within three weeks, with allowed exceptions. It would also rename and expand an Office of Sports Diplomacy, add at least three full‑time staff, and file a five‑year strategy within 120 days. That plan would include steps to speed secure visa processing for athletes, families, and staff, with public updates through December 31, 2034.
Registry for Korean American family reunions
If enacted, State would create a private internal registry of Korean American families seeking reunions with relatives in North Korea. It would store names and other relevant details, including for deceased individuals, to help plan future in‑person or video reunions.
Short‑term foreign postings keep pay/benefits
If enacted, State could detail employees to foreign governments or international groups for up to one year. Foreign Service members would keep the pay and benefits they would have received. Non‑Foreign Service employees would be treated like international organization details, and host countries would pay foreign participants’ salaries.
Advisor for orphans and vulnerable children
If enacted, State would appoint a Special Advisor for Assistance to Orphans and Vulnerable Children within 90 days. It would also extend a directive deadline from one year to six years and move an authorization date from 2025 to 2027.
Grants to test global development ideas
If enacted, a Development Innovation Ventures program would give evidence‑tiered grants to test and scale cost‑effective global solutions. The agency would report publicly within 60 days on how it will run the program and use funds.
Modernize State IT and security rules
The Department could move IT staff into the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology and reorganize Regional Technology Officers to better support embassies. It would update access‑restriction guidance so rules are clearer and do not automatically remove staff from all sensitive duties. Senior Diplomatic Security officials would be able to pre‑approve certain intercept requests, and the Foreign Affairs Manual would be updated within 90 days.
Name countries that wrongly detain Americans
If enacted, State could label a country as a “State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention” when set criteria are met. The Department would publish the list and report to Congress within seven days of a designation. A designation could be ended by law within six months or by certification if conditions are met.
New centers to improve State management
If enacted, State could create a Center for Strategy and Solutions to drive data and change management. It would establish a Chief Financial Officer and a Bureau of Financial Management, with funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It would also create a small Center for Conflict Analysis (up to 20 staff) to support prevention and planning.
One health report and WHO data sharing
Global health reports would be combined into one searchable annual report due each September 30 starting in 2026, with some reports staying separate if required. If the U.S. leaves the World Health Organization, the government would keep sharing technical health data it deems useful to protect Americans and improve disease detection and response.
Get more Americans jobs at the U.N.
The Department would update and run a strategy to help U.S. citizens pursue careers at international organizations. It would use online recruiting, target candidates interested in the Foreign Service test and internships, and track metrics on applicants and hires. A report would be due within 180 days and then yearly for three years.
New notices and limits on consular funds
Before using retained consular fees on non‑consular programs, the Secretary would normally notify Congress 15 days in advance, or within 3 days after in urgent cases. The bill would also bar using this Act’s funds in ways that break existing law on visas for high‑ranking Taiwan officials. It would forbid using this Act’s funds to enforce COVID‑19 vaccination requirements for people traveling outside the United States.
Shift CHIPS fund oversight inside State
Management of the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund at the State Department would move to the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs. This is an internal oversight change and does not alter who can receive funding.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mast
FL • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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