S. 1473 Passed the Senate Foreign Trade and International Finance

Stop Stealing our Chips Act

A bill to amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to establish a whistleblower incentive program and provide protections to whistleblowers.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD] Introduced April 10, 2025 Cosponsors 1 (1 D) Latest action May 21, 2026

Summary

Stop Stealing our Chips Act
This bill creates a whistleblower incentive program and establishes whistleblower protections for individuals who provide information to the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) related to violations of U.S. export control laws. 
Currently, BIS administers and enforces controls on the export of dual-use goods (e.g., items with both civilian and military uses) and certain military parts and components. These export controls are implemented primarily under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) through the Export Administration Regulations.
Under the bill, BIS must establish a whistleblower incentive program to reward individuals who voluntarily report original information that results in BIS imposing fines under ECRA on persons that violate, attempt to violate, conspire to violate, or cause a violation of ECRA or any related regulation, order, license, or authorization.
Additionally, BIS must establish a secure online portal for whistleblowers to report violations of ECRA. The bill outlines requirements for BIS to review, investigate, and provide status updates related to these reports.
The bill authorizes BIS to pay an award to any whistleblower who voluntarily reported original information that led to the imposition of a fine under ECRA. The bill establishes the Export Compliance Accountability Fund for paying these awards and funding related activities.
The bill also sets forth whistleblower protections by (1) prohibiting retaliation against individuals who act as whistleblowers, and (2) establishing confidentiality requirements.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. May 21, 2026 Held at the desk.
  2. May 21, 2026 Received in the House.
  3. May 21, 2026 Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  4. May 20, 2026 Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S2424-2426)
  5. May 20, 2026 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  6. May 20, 2026 Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2424-2426)
  7. May 20, 2026 Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
  8. Apr 10, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  9. Apr 10, 2025 Introduced in Senate

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