A bill to facilitate obtaining foreign-located antitrust evidence by authorizing the Attorney General of the United States and the Federal Trade Commission to provide, in accordance with antitrust mutual assistance agreements, antitrust evidence to foreign antitrust authorities on a reciprocal basis; and for other purposes.
International Antitrust Enforcement Assistance Act of 1994 - Authorizes the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to provide, in accordance with an antitrust mutual assistance agreement in effect under this Act, antitrust evidence to assist a foreign antitrust authority in: (1) determining whether a person has violated, or is about to violate, any of the foreign antitrust laws administered or enforced by the authority; and (2) enforcing any of such laws. Requires a request for such investigative assistance to be made to the Attorney General, who may deny the request in whole or in part.
Authorizes the Attorney General and the FTC to conduct investigations to obtain and provide to the authority evidence relating to a possible violation of such laws, regardless of whether the conduct investigated violates Federal antitrust law. Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to grant the FTC the power to conduct investigations of possible violations of such laws.
Authorizes the U.S. district court for the district in which a person resides, is found, or transacts business, upon application of the Attorney General made in accordance with such an agreement, to order such person to give testimony or a statement, or to produce a document or other thing, to the Attorney General to assist the authority in making its determination or in enforcing any of such laws (but prohibits compelling such person to do so in violation of any legally applicable right or privilege).
Sets forth provisions regarding the contents of the order, the preservation of rights and privileges, and voluntary conduct.
Makes this Act inapplicable with respect to antitrust evidence that is: (1) received by the Attorney General or the FTC under provisions of the Clayton Act regarding a premerger notification and waiting period; (2) a matter occurring before a grand jury with respect to which disclosure is prevented by Federal law, with exceptions; (3) specifically authorized by executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy; and (4) classified under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
Permits disclosure of antitrust evidence obtained under the Antitrust Civil Process Act in accordance with such an agreement.
Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) publication requirements; (2) implementation of such agreements; (3) limitations on judicial review; (4) preservation of authority; and (5) reporting requirements.
Authorizes the Attorney General and the FTC to receive from a foreign antitrust authority, or from the foreign state or regional economic integration organization represented by such authority, reimbursement for costs incurred in conducting an investigation, applying for an order, or providing antitrust evidence to such authority.
Became Public Law No: 103-438.
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9249-9250)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Subcommittee on Antitrust, Monopolies and Business. Hearings held.
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 103-388.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 103-388.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 699.
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S14672-14675)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
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Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S15021-15022)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.