# 119-hr-2661: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

119-hr-2661, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] (R-NJ); status introduced (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2661
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-2661
- Congress: 119
- Title: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-04-07
- Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] (R-NJ)
- Cosponsors: 3
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Ties HKETO privileges to Hong Kong's autonomy.** This bill would create a conditional framework that forces a certification decision on whether Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices merit diplomatic-style privileges, exemptions, and immunities. - HKETO operations would face clear triggers. If the Secretary finds HKETO no longer merits privileges, the office would have to end operations within 180 days. If it does merit extension, HKETO could operate for up to a one-year period or until the next certification. - U.S. agencies and contracts would face new limits. Federal entities could contract with HKETO for tourism, culture, or business only after a positive certification and if no disapproval resolution is enacted within 90 days. Contracts must not support efforts that undermine Hong Kong autonomy or portray the Hong Kong or Chinese governments as protecting rule of law or human rights. - Congress and U.S. policy get new tools. Congress would have a formal joint-resolution path to disapprove a certification. The bill also directs U.S. policy to avoid promoting Hong Kong as autonomous where autonomy is lacking and to press for release of political prisoners, a free press, fair elections, and an independent judiciary.

## Cosponsors (3)

- Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] (D-MA), 2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2] (R-MI), 2025-08-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19] (D-NY), 2025-12-12T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Regular review of Hong Kong trade offices: mixed, low. If enacted, the Secretary of State would have to decide within 30 days whether Hong Kong’s trade offices should keep certain privileges. Each required certification would include a written report explaining the decision and may cite national security. If the decision favors extension, the offices c…
- Tighter rules for U.S. Hong Kong outreach: mixed, low. If enacted, U.S. agencies could only sign tourism, culture, or business deals with these offices if three conditions are met. The Secretary must decide the offices should keep privileges, no disapproval is enacted within 90 days after that decision, and the deal cannot promote propaganda. Agencies…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act
- 119-hr-9237: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
- 119-hr-5490: Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act
- 119-hr-3514: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025
- 119-hr-2102: Major Richard Star Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-2661 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2661)

## Related
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1262)
- [119-hr-9237: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9237)
- [119-hr-5490: Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5490)
- [119-hr-3514: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3514)
- [119-hr-2102: Major Richard Star Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2102)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2661 (as of 2026-04-21).