Looks like I figured this out. I was able to read the filter property of the embedded report with a simple "Me.Filter". When the user clicks the "Export to PDF" link on the embedded report it runs the code below. This opens the report as an independent object using the OpenReport method and using Me.Filter (i.e. the filters currently applied on the embedded report) as the where condition, then it runs OutputTo to generate a PDF of the filtered report, then finally is closes the new window that was opened by OpenReport.
Code:
Private Sub txtExport_Click()
DoCmd.OpenReport "rptActiveContractsByLocation", acViewReport, , Me.Filter, acWindowNormal
DoCmd.OutputTo acOutputReport, "rptActiveContractsByLocation", acFormatPDF, "C:\Users\" & (Environ$("Username")) & "\Desktop\ActiveContractReport.pdf"
DoCmd.Close acReport, "rptActiveContractsByLocation", acSaveNo
Beep
MsgBox "Report export complete. File saved to:" & Chr(13) & "C:\Users\" & (Environ$("Username")) & "\Desktop\ActiveContractsByCategory.pdf"
End Sub