COINS Act of 2024: Regulating Outbound Investments in China

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

This bill would create new legal obligations for U.S. investors and companies to report or divest from certain Chinese technology firms, with potential civil penalties of up to $250,000 or double the transaction value for non-compliance.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. investors

Must comply with new reporting requirements, investment prohibitions, and divestment mandates.

Department of the Treasury

Responsible for issuing regulations, maintaining databases, and enforcing sanctions.

Chinese technology firms

May be designated as 'covered foreign persons,' restricting their ability to receive U.S. capital or technology.

Department of Commerce

Collaborates on industry outreach, enforcement, and defining technical parameters for restricted technologies.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Background

Mr. Cornyn is a U.S. Senator representing Texas, and Mr. Scott of South Carolina is a U.S. Senator representing South Carolina. context
The bill is currently referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for review. context

Summary

The COINS Act of 2024 would restrict U.S. investments in specific Chinese technology sectors deemed critical to national security, including artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors, and quantum computing. It authorizes $150 million for the Treasury and Commerce Departments to enforce these rules, monitor compliance, and potentially sanction foreign entities involved in these sectors.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What technologies are considered 'prohibited' under this bill?

Prohibited technologies include advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence models trained with specific computing power, quantum computing systems, and hypersonic technology components.

Does this bill apply to all investments in China?

No, it applies specifically to 's' in 'prohibited' or 'notifiable' technologies, with several exceptions for transactions and certain public market securities.

What happens if I am already invested in a company on the restricted list?

The bill requires U.S. persons to divest from entities on the within 365 days of the Act's enactment.

Why It Matters

This bill would create new legal obligations for U.S. investors and companies to report or divest from certain Chinese technology firms, with potential civil penalties of up to $250,000 or double the transaction value for non-compliance.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Outbound Investment Control

The bill represents a significant shift toward regulating outbound capital flows to foreign adversaries, moving beyond traditional import/export controls.

Department of the Treasury People's Republic of China

Connected Entities

organizationHouse of Representatives“The bill will be considered by both the Senate and the House.”Map →

locationUnited States“The bill's primary goal is to protect the national security of the United States”Map →

personSecretary of State“The Secretary of State is consulted in the imposition of sanctions.”Map →

organizationPeople's Republic of China“Sanctions are imposed on individuals and entities within this country.”Map →

personSecretary of the Treasury“The Secretary is defined within the bill and plays a key role in implementing sa”Map →

organizationSenate“The bill was introduced in the Senate.”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy75
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz40
Current news / social attention level