Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.595 - To amend the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act to make certain technical corrections to facilitate the lawful trade and collecting of numismatic materials. (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R. 595 aims to amend the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act to make technical corrections that facilitate the lawful trade and collecting of numismatic materials. The bill seeks to clarify definitions and import restrictions related to numismatic items, such as coins and paper money. It intends to streamline the process for importing these items while ensuring they are not the product of illicit excavations.

Expected Effects

The likely effect of this bill is to ease restrictions on the import and trade of numismatic materials. This could lead to increased activity in the numismatic market. It also clarifies the documentation required for importing such items, potentially reducing bureaucratic hurdles.

Potential Benefits

  • Simplifies the import process for numismatic materials.
  • Provides clarity on what constitutes lawful acquisition of these materials.
  • Reduces potential ambiguity in customs enforcement.
  • Supports the lawful trade and collecting of numismatic items.
  • Could lead to increased economic activity in the numismatic market.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Could potentially create loopholes for illegally obtained numismatic materials to enter the country if enforcement is lax.
  • May require increased vigilance by customs officials to prevent the import of illicitly excavated items.
  • The definition of 'known type' might be subject to interpretation, leading to disputes.
  • Could inadvertently incentivize the looting of archaeological sites if demand increases significantly.
  • May not address all concerns related to the protection of cultural property.

Constitutional Alignment

This bill appears to align with the Constitution, specifically Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. By clarifying import restrictions and definitions related to numismatic materials, the bill aims to facilitate lawful trade. The bill does not appear to infringe on any individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).