§4051 Requirement of Prior Authorization

Summary

Money given to the Department of Commerce for export promotion can be spent only if a law passed on or after July 12, 1985, specifically authorizes it, or if the total spending does not exceed an amount set by a law passed on or after that date. If Congress later passes a law after the money was set aside that allows the spending, that earlier limit does not apply. The rule can be changed only by a later law passed after July 12, 1985 that specifically says it is repealing or changing this rule. Export promotion program: activities to help U.S. businesses sell goods and services abroad, including trade development, policy work on regional and multilateral issues, exhibitions, the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, the Market Development Cooperator Program (section 4723), and trade show assistance (section 4724). The Commerce Secretary may allow printing, distributing, and selling program documents outside the 48 connected states if it is more efficient and they will be sold mainly abroad, and may accept private notices and ads. Fees collected must go into a separate account to pay costs or to repay or advance funds used for those activities.