Senate bill would extend the deadline for prosecuting export control violations

A bill introduced in the Senate proposes to change the time limit for bringing criminal charges against companies or individuals who violate export control laws. Currently, the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 sets a five-year statute of limitations for these violations. This bill would extend that window to ten years.

Why it matters: This is a procedural change that affects how long the Department of Justice can pursue cases. A longer statute of limitations gives prosecutors more time to investigate complex export control cases, which often involve foreign entities and can take years to unravel. For compliance officers and legal teams, it means the risk of being charged for past actions remains active for a longer period.

Who it affects

• Companies and individuals involved in international trade and technology exports

---

The source is Congress.gov, and the bill is currently in the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; readers should check the original document for the specific legal text and current status.

Agency: Senate
Source: Congress.gov — read the official document