International Traffic in Arms Regulations Licensing Reform Act

This bill aims to speed up how the U.S. government decides on export licenses for defense items and services. It tells the State Department to create a list of priority countries and buyers within 90 days, then set official deadlines for license decisions: about 45 days for applications tied to that priority list, and about 60 days for all others. These timelines can pause if Congress is reviewing a sale or if the Defense Department needs more time to make a related decision. The department must also report twice a year on any applications that missed the deadlines and explain why. An updated priority list is sent to Congress each year.

In short, the goal is faster, more predictable decisions for companies that export U.S. defense equipment and for trusted partners abroad, with more transparency when delays happen.

• Who is affected: U.S. defense exporters; approved foreign countries and buyers; the State and Defense Departments.
• What changes: Creates a priority list; sets target deadlines of 45 days (priority) and 60 days (others); allows pauses for congressional review or Defense Department decisions; requires twice-yearly delay reports.
• When: Priority list due within 90 days of enactment; deadline-setting starts within 30 days after the list is published; reports are submitted every six months; list updates are sent annually.