Whereas, Americans are deeply concerned with job creation and economic stability; and

Whereas, international trade is a critical driver of economic growth; and

Whereas, there are a number of goods and products that have large export markets overseas; and

Whereas, many of these goods and products are subject to export restrictions; and

Whereas, these export restrictions may have once served the national interest but have outlived their usefulness; and

Whereas, many of these export control regulations prevent American businesses from effectively competing globally; and

Whereas, nations around the world are capitalizing on our inability to export specific goods and products to secure market share that the United States might have been able to secure if not for the restrictions; and

Whereas, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) policy on free trade acknowledges that the imposition of artificial barriers to free and open trade are deterrents to American economic interests;

Therefore be it resolved that we identify restrictions on exports that do not contribute to the national interest and are antithetical to free market principles;

Be it further resolved, that the state of [INSERT STATE] petition the governmental entity overseeing restrictions on exports that do not contribute to the national interest and operate as a barrier to free markets to remove these restrictions.

Approved by the ALEC Board of Directors on September 29, 2013.

Approved by the ALEC Board of Directors on December 26, 2018.