Bill · S. 1149· Senate(119-S-1149)
SEC Whistleblower Reform Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/26/2025
- Last activity
- 3/26/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Chuck Grassley
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``SEC Whistleblower Reform Act of 2025'' aims to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to strengthen protections for whistleblowers. It expands the definition of a whistleblower to include individuals reporting to supervisors or specific personnel within an employer. The bill also adds protections for post-employment actions and establishes a right to a jury trial for certain legal actions. Additionally, it creates a requirement for the Commission to process award claims within specific timeframes. Finally, the act prohibits the waiver of whistleblower rights through employment agreements or mandatory arbitration.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+6
The bill enhances due process by providing whistleblowers the right to a jury trial and preventing the waiver of rights via arbitration.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The act increases transparency within corporations by facilitating easier reporting of misconduct.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
Strengthening whistleblower protections enhances market integrity and protects investors from corporate misconduct.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
The bill imposes stricter reporting and litigation risks on employers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Reporting Options: The definition of a whistleblower is updated to include individuals who report misconduct to a person with supervisory authority or someone believed to have the authority to investigate or terminate misconduct within their employer (Sec. 2(a)(1)(ii)).
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Right to a Jury Trial: A person against which an action is brought under these protections will now be entitled to a jury trial (Sec. 2(a)(1)(ii)).
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Prompt Award Processing: The Commission is required to make an initial disposition on award claims within a set timeframe, specifically one year after the filing deadline or one year after the final resolution of related litigation (Sec. 3(a)(i)).
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Protection Against Forced Arbitration: The bill ensures that whistleblower rights and remedies cannot be waived by employment agreements or predispute arbitration agreements, making such agreements unenforceable for these disputes (Sec. 4(a)(1) and (2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Delays in Award Payments: While the bill sets deadlines, the Director of the Division of Enforcement can extend these deadlines by 180 days for complex claims or more than one whistleblower, and can request further successive 180-day extensions if good cause exists (Sec. 3(a)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+6Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-2
- 3/26/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts