HR4119-119

What This Bill Does

The Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act pushes the executive branch to evaluate the Polisario Front for terrorism and sanctions designations. Within 180 days, the Secretary of State must report on the group's leadership, military operations, foreign sponsorship, relationships with Iran and Russia, relationships with Hezbollah, the IRGC, and the PKK, and whether it has intentionally attacked civilian targets. Within 90 days, State must determine whether the Polisario Front meets criteria for foreign terrorist organization designation under INA section 219 and Global Magnitsky sanctions; Treasury must determine whether it meets Executive Order 13224 sanctions criteria. Determinations must be unclassified with possible classified annexes. The President may waive the designations and sanctions if the Polisario Front is engaged in good-faith negotiations to implement Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan for Western Sahara.

Who Benefits and How

Moroccan diplomatic interests benefit because the bill pressures the United States to scrutinize the Polisario Front's foreign sponsorship and terrorism links. Counterterrorism oversight committees benefit from required State and Treasury determinations and detailed justification. Groups concerned about Iranian influence benefit from a report on alleged Polisario relationships with Iran, Hezbollah, the IRGC, and the PKK. Supporters of the Moroccan autonomy plan benefit because the waiver is tied to good-faith negotiations under that plan.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Polisario Front faces potential FTO designation, Global Magnitsky sanctions, and Executive Order 13224 sanctions exposure. The Secretary of State must prepare a 180-day report and 90-day designation and sanctions determinations. The Secretary of the Treasury must determine whether Executive Order 13224 sanctions criteria are met. The President must justify any waiver based on good-faith negotiations over Morocco's autonomy plan.

Key Provisions

• Requires a State Department report on Polisario leadership, operations, sponsorship, terrorist links, and civilian attacks.
• Requires a 90-day State determination on FTO designation and Global Magnitsky sanctions criteria.
• Requires a 90-day Treasury determination on Executive Order 13224 sanctions criteria.
• Provides a presidential waiver tied to good-faith negotiations over Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan.