Stop Stealing our Chips Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1473
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Foreign Trade and International Finance
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-27T11:22:16Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 1473: Stop Stealing our Chips Act
Purpose
This legislation amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to create a program that rewards individuals for reporting violations of U.S. export control laws. It focuses on preventing the diversion of advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence chips, to countries that pose national security risks to the United States. The goal is to strengthen enforcement by encouraging accurate reports of potential violations.
Key Provisions
- Whistleblower Incentive Program: Establishes a system to provide monetary awards to individuals who submit original information leading to fines or property forfeitures for export control violations. Awards range from 10% to 30% of the collected fine amount, split equally if multiple people report jointly.
- Reporting Process: Requires the creation of a secure online portal for submitting reports, with options for anonymous submissions. Reports undergo an initial review within 60 days, and credible ones trigger a formal investigation with regular status updates to the reporter (every 90 days, subject to confidentiality rules).
- Whistleblower Protections: Prohibits employers from retaliating against individuals who report violations, such as through firing, demotion, or harassment. Individuals can file lawsuits in federal court for reinstatement, double back pay with interest, and coverage of legal costs if retaliation occurs.
- Confidentiality Rules: Limits disclosure of a whistleblower's identity by government officials, with exceptions for legal proceedings or sharing with other agencies under confidentiality agreements.
- Export Compliance Accountability Fund: Creates a dedicated fund in the U.S. Treasury to hold collected fines for paying awards, supporting investigations, and funding related enforcement activities.
- Definitions and Exclusions: Defines "original information" as knowledge not previously known to authorities and excludes federal employees or individuals on certain restricted lists (such as those maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control) from receiving awards.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces new incentives and protections into the Export Control Reform Act of 2018, which previously lacked a formal whistleblower reward system for export violations.
- Modifies the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to allow fines from export control cases to flow into the new Export Compliance Accountability Fund instead of other victim-related accounts.
- Adds requirements for an online reporting portal, expedited investigations, and specific award structures not present in prior export control enforcement mechanisms.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security in reviewing reports and conducting investigations, but provides a dedicated funding source from fines to offset costs.
- Citizens: Offers financial rewards and job protections to encourage reporting by employees or others with knowledge of violations, potentially improving detection of illegal technology exports.
- International Relations: May enhance U.S. efforts to control technology transfers to adversaries by deterring violations through stronger enforcement, though it does not directly alter diplomatic agreements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Employees and individuals with access to export-related information, who may report violations or face retaliation.
- Companies and entities involved in exporting sensitive technologies, subject to increased scrutiny from reports.
- The Bureau of Industry and Security and other federal agencies responsible for export enforcement and investigations.
- Whistleblowers and their employers, due to new anti-retaliation rules and award eligibility criteria.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Establishes civil remedies for retaliation claims, including lawsuits with statutes of limitations up to 10 years, which strengthens worker protections in the export sector.
- Balances incentives with safeguards, such as disqualifying awards if information comes from certain internal compliance roles or criminal activities, to prevent misuse.
- Promotes public-private cooperation in national security enforcement by allowing information sharing with law enforcement and foreign authorities under confidentiality protections.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Held at the desk.
- 2026-05-21: Received in the House.
- 2026-05-21: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-05-20: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S2424-2426)
- 2026-05-20: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-05-20: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2424-2426)
- 2026-05-20: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-05-20: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-04-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Stop Stealing our Chips Act — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (22 pages)
- Stop Stealing our Chips Act — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (18 pages)