SCREEN Act Stopping Communist Regimes from Engaging in Edits Now Act
Impact
The implications for state laws encompass a broader conversation about the role of government in regulating the film industry and protecting the integrity of American creative works from foreign censorship. Supporters argue that this bill is crucial in safeguarding U.S. companies from indirectly supporting the CCP's narrative or facilitating its propaganda through altered film content. Conversely, critics may view this legislation as an infringement on artistic freedom, arguing that all countries engage in some form of content revision for international markets, and this bill may disproportionately hinder U.S. film businesses engaged in legitimate cultural exchanges.
Summary
House Bill 1456, known as the 'SCREEN Act' or Stopping Communist Regimes from Engaging in Edits Now Act, seeks to restrict the appropriation of federal funds for the production of films that seek approval or adapt content to meet the specifications of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The bill centers around the idea that by limiting or prohibiting federal resources from being used for such films, it can counteract the influence of communist regimes on cultural content exported from the United States. Under this law, any U.S. company endeavoring to produce a film with federal assistance must disclose prior content submissions made to Chinese officials or the CCP regarding the film's approval for screening in China, thereby establishing transparency and accountability in filmmaking that is influenced by foreign governments.
Contention
A significant point of contention surrounding HB 1456 is the balance between national interests and the freedom of artistic expression. While proponents assert that the U.S. should not subsidize films that compromise their content to appease foreign censors, opponents claim that such limitations may stifle creativity and collaboration in a globalized film industry. The stipulations in the bill could lead to fewer films being produced that include international collaboration, resulting in a less diverse cinematic landscape in the U.S.
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives relating to the Communist Party of China's "Made In China 2025" Plan and publicly-known malign Communist Party of China's actions supporting the goals of its "Made in China 2025" plan.
Securing American Families and Enterprises from People's Republic of China Investments Act or the SAFE from PRC Investments Act This bill requires certain issuers of securities and funds traded on an exchange to report on connections to China or the Communist Party of China. In particular, an issuer with specified connections to China must annually disclose a variety of details, including whether executive-level employees, senior directors, or board members are members of the Communist Party of China; interactions with the party; expenditures in China; expenditures in the United States regarding operations and lobbying activities; and the ability of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to audit the issuer. Additionally, an exchange-traded fund that invests in a Chinese company must annually disclose about that company ownership information, party involvement, whether the company participates in specified Chinese policies or activities, any ties to U.S.-sanctioned individuals, and the types of products or services produced by the company.
No Taxpayer Funded Platform for Chinese Communists Act This bill prohibits using federal funds made available to the U.S. Agency for Global Media to provide an open platform for representatives of the Chinese government, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or any entity owned or controlled by the Chinese government or by the CCP.
Protecting Personal Data from Foreign Adversaries Act This bill authorizes sanctions and other prohibitions relating to software that engages in user data theft on behalf of certain foreign countries or entities. The President may regulate or prohibit transactions using software that engages in the theft or unauthorized transmission of user data and provides access to such data to (1) a communist country, (2) the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), (3) a foreign adversary, or (4) a state sponsor of terrorism. The President may also impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on developers and owners of software that makes unauthorized transmissions of user data to servers located in China that are accessible by China's government or the CCP. The Department of State shall report to Congress a determination regarding whether WeChat or TikTok fall within certain regulations and prohibitions, including those provided under this bill. (WeChat and TikTok are software programs developed by China-based companies.)