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119-hr-7510119th CongressWALLET

Preventing Research Ownership Transfer to External Competitive Threats (PROTECT) Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

Introduced

Summary

Prohibits U.S. universities from transferring research intellectual property to certain foreign governments. The PROTECT Act of 2026 would bar universities and their faculty, staff, and students from contracts, licenses, sales, transfers, or other transactions that grant patents, copyrights, trade secrets, data rights, or other IP in covered research to specified foreign governments.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Fines and seizure for illegal transfers

If enacted, the bill would allow civil fines for illegal transfers of university research IP. Fines would be up to $500,000 per violation when the transfer is not found to endanger U.S. national security. Fines would be up to $5,000,000 per violation when the Secretary of State finds the transfer endangers national security or involves critical energy or defense research. Any money received for the IP could be seized and forfeited to the U.S. government. The Attorney General would enforce penalties, consulting with the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State's determinations would be final except for constitutional claims.

Ban on university IP transfers abroad

If enacted, this bill would ban U.S. universities and their faculty, staff, and students from transferring research IP to certain foreign governments. Covered foreign governments would include Russia, China, and Iran and any nation the Secretary of State calls a national security threat. The ban would apply to transactions made on or after the date of enactment. It would cover patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, know‑how, data rights, and similar research rights.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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