article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Nonproliferation Assistance Coordination Act of 2001''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that-- (1) United States nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union have achieved important results in ensuring that weapons of mass destruction, weapons-usable material and technology, and weapons-related knowledge remain beyond the reach of terrorists and weapons- proliferating states; (2) although these efforts are in the United States national security interest, the effectiveness of these efforts suffers from a lack of coordination within and among United States Government agencies; (3) increased spending and investment by the United States private sector on nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, specifically, spending and investment by the United States private sector in job creation initiatives and proposals for unemployed Russian weapons scientists and technicians, is making an important contribution in ensuring that knowledge related to weapons of mass destruction remains beyond the reach of terrorists and weapons- proliferating states; and (4) increased spending and investment by the United States private sector on nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union requires the establishment of a coordinating body to ensure that United States public and private efforts are not in conflict, and to ensure that public spending on efforts by the independent states of the former Soviet Union is maximized to ensure efficiency and further United States national security interests. SEC. 3. INDEPENDENT STATES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION DEFINED. In this Act, the term ``independent states of the former Soviet Union'' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the FREEDOM Support Act (22 U.S.C. 5801). SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEE ON NONPROLIFERATION ASSISTANCE TO THE INDEPENDENT STATES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION. (a) Establishment.--There is established within the executive branch of the Government an interagency committee known as the ``Committee on Nonproliferation Assistance to the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union'' (in this Act referred to as the ``Committee''). (b) Membership.-- (1) In general.--The Committee shall be composed of five members, as follows: (A) A representative of the Department of State designated by the Secretary of State. (B) A representative of the Department of Energy designated by the Secretary of Energy. (C) A representative of the Department of Defense designated by the Secretary of Defense. (D) A representative of the Department of Commerce designated by the Secretary of Commerce. (E) A representative of the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs designated by the Assistant to the President. (2) Level of representation.--The Secretary of a department named in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1) shall designate as the department's representative an official of that department who is not below the level of an Assistant Secretary of the department. (b) Chair.--The representative of the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs shall serve as Chair of the Committee. The Chair may invite the head of any other department or agency of the United States to designate a representative of that department or agency to participate from time to time in the activities of the Committee. SEC. 5. DUTIES OF COMMITTEE. (a) In General.--The Committee shall have primary continuing responsibility within the executive branch of the Government for-- (1) monitoring United States nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union; and (2) coordinating the implementation of United States policy with respect to such efforts. (b) Duties Specified.--In carrying out the responsibilities described in subsection (a), the Committee shall-- (1) arrange for the preparation of analyses on the issues and problems relating to coordination within and among United States departments and agencies on nonproliferation efforts of the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (2) arrange for the preparation of analyses on the issues and problems relating to coordination between the United States public and private sectors on nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, including coordination between public and private spending on nonproliferation programs of the independent states of the former Soviet Union and coordination between public spending and private investment in defense conversion activities of the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (3) provide guidance on arrangements that will coordinate, de-conflict, and maximize the utility of United States public spending on nonproliferation programs of the independent states of the former Soviet Union to ensure efficiency and further United States national security interests; (4) encourage companies and nongovernmental organizations involved in nonproliferation efforts of the independent states of the former Soviet Union to voluntarily report these efforts to the Committee; (5)(A) arrange for the preparation of analyses on the issues and problems relating to the coordination between the United States and other countries with respect to nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union; and (B) provide guidance and arrangements that will coordinate, de-conflict, and maximize the utility of United States public spending on nonproliferation programs of the independent states of the former Soviet Union to ensure efficiency and further United States national security interests; and (6) consider, and make recommendations to the President and Congress with respect to, proposals for new legislation or regulations relating to United States nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union as may be necessary. SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. All United States departments and agencies shall provide, to the extent permitted by law, such information and assistance as may be requested by the Committee or the Secretary of State in carrying out their functions and activities under this Act. SEC. 7. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION. Information which has been submitted or received in confidence shall not be publicly disclosed, except to the extent required by law, and such information shall be used by the Committee only for the purpose of carrying out the functions and activities set forth in this Act. SEC. 8. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION. Nothing in this Act-- (1) applies to the data-gathering, regulatory, or enforcement authority of any existing United States department or agency over nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, and the review of those efforts undertaken by the Committee shall not in any way supersede or prejudice any other process provided by law; or (2) applies to any activity that is reportable pursuant to title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.).
summary: Nonproliferation Assistance Coordination Act of 2001 - Establishes within the executive branch the Committee on Nonproliferation Assistance to the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union, which shall monitor and coordinate U.S. nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union.