Embassy construction integrity

(a) In general The Secretary shall take such steps as may be necessary to avoid or minimize the following: (1) Acquiring or leasing a covered building— (A) with respect to which a covered entity performed covered construction on or after January 1, 1949; or (B) in which a covered entity has an ownership interest. (2) Entering into or renewing a contract or other agreement with a covered entity to perform covered construction with respect to a covered building. (b) Notification of inconsistent action (1) In general The Secretary shall notify the appropriate congressional committees about actions inconsistent with subsection (a) not later than seven days before entering into an acquisition, lease, or agreement. (2) Determination of national security interest The notification required under paragraph (1) shall also include, to the extent applicable— (A) a determination of whether the inconsistent acquisition, lease, or agreement is in the national security interest of the United States; (B) an identification of the interest advanced by such inconsistent action; (C) a detailed explanation for such determination; and (D) any action the Secretary has taken or intends to take to mitigate national security vulnerabilities that may be posed by such inconsistent action. (c) Definitions In this section— (1) the term covered building means a building that is used or intended to be used by personnel, or for a function of a consular or diplomatic post located outside of the United States; (2) the term covered construction means— (A) any construction, development, conversion, extension, alteration, repair, or maintenance performed with respect to a building; and (B) includes the installation or maintenance of electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, communication, fire protection, and energy management systems with respect to such building; and (3) the term covered entity means an entity with respect to which the Government of the People’s Republic of China, or an agent or instrumentality of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, directly or indirectly, including through any contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship— (A) owns or controls a significant percent of the ownership interest; or (B) otherwise exercises substantial control.