§4051 Requirement of Prior Authorization

Summary

Money for the Department of Commerce to run export promotion programs can only be spent if the money was first approved by a law passed on or after July 12, 1985, or if the total spending does not exceed an amount set by a law passed on or after that date. If a later law specifically allows spending the money, then that restriction no longer applies. This rule can only be changed by a law passed after July 12, 1985 that clearly repeals or alters it. "Export promotion program" means activities that help U.S. businesses sell abroad, such as trade development and market information, work on regional and multilateral trade policy and marketing services, showing U.S. goods in other countries, running the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, and the Market Development Cooperator Program and trade show help. The Secretary of Commerce may print and sell program materials outside the 48 contiguous states and accept private ads for them if it is more efficient. Fees from that may be kept in a separate account to pay the program’s costs or repay funds used.