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HR6576119th CongressWALLET

SAFE LiDAR Act

Sponsored By: Representative Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would stop foreign adversary control of LiDAR from operating in U.S. critical systems by setting strict phase-outs, partnership bans, and a narrow waiver and enforcement regime. It targets LiDAR tied to the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and creates transition and oversight mechanisms to manage risks.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Penalties, enforcement, and annual reports

This bill would let the Commerce Secretary seek civil penalties for violations up to the amount in 50 U.S.C. 1705. The Secretary could ask a court to stop or unwind violating transactions or uses. Before enforcement, the Secretary must give a written explanation and allow a 30-day written petition to contest penalties. The bill would also require the Secretary to report to Congress within one year and annually after that on enforcement actions, waivers, emerging threats, and efforts by adversary countries to frustrate the law. Reports may include a classified annex.

Bans on foreign-adversary LiDAR

This bill would ban certain transactions that result in the use of covered foreign-adversary LiDAR in the United States. Three years after enactment, new transactions that put covered LiDAR into U.S. use would be barred. The bill would also make it unlawful on enactment to form joint ventures, licenses, or partnerships with companies that produce or control covered LiDAR. Critical infrastructure and Federal users would face an immediate ban for systems not already in use and a five-year limit for systems that were in use before enactment. The bill would define covered LiDAR, covered persons, and name China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as foreign-adversary countries, and use a 25% ownership threshold for coverage.

Limited exemptions and divestment path

This bill would carve out narrow exceptions to the LiDAR bans. Exemptions would cover U.S. Government testing and cybersecurity work, academic and research acquisitions, integration into U.S.-made products that are exported and not used domestically, and cross-border passenger or cargo transport uses. Products already in use before a relevant ban could remain or be replaced if necessary, and resale or leases of products with preexisting integration would be allowed. The bill would also allow companies to seek approval for a formal divestment to end foreign-adversary status, but the Commerce Secretary must approve and require strong evidence and IP transfer to U.S. persons or trusted partners.

Waivers, guidance, and transition help

This bill would let the Commerce Secretary grant case-by-case waivers from the LiDAR bans. Waivers for future transactions could last up to three years and would not be renewable. Waivers for critical infrastructure or government use could be granted to avoid stopping essential functions, but would usually require a mitigation plan to remove or reduce risks. The Secretary must issue waiver procedures before any ban takes effect and may delay a ban if U.S. supply is insufficient (an initial two-year delay, then 180-day extensions on fresh findings). The bill would also require outreach, advisory opinions within 180 days on likely waiver eligibility, two designated technical experts, and a national security task force within 90 days to help users transition.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

IL • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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