TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The legislature reconvened Tuesday, with the KMT caucus outlining 42 priority bills for the new session, including a proposed Chip National Security Act aimed at keeping Taiwan’s most advanced semiconductor research and production onshore.
The KMT said the bill is intended to address what it described as growing national security concerns surrounding semiconductors, citing similar legislation in the US, Japan, and the European Union to safeguard their chip industries, per CNA.
Under the proposal, Taiwan would adopt a principle of “technology leadership,” ensuring that its most advanced research and development and chip production remain substantially rooted in Taiwan. The draft would limit the scale of overseas manufacturing and prohibit exports of advanced technologies to any country or region without legislative approval.
A KMT-affiliated think tank is currently preparing the proposal.
Among other key bills is a proposed amendment to the Act of Military Service for Officers and Non-commissioned Officers of the Armed Forces, aimed at enhancing pension benefits for retired personnel and their surviving families. The move follows the passage of legislation last year halting pension cuts for civil servants and teachers.
The KMT caucus said similar protections should be extended to military personnel. The amendment would require retirement pensions, alimony, and survivor pensions for officers and non-commissioned officers to be reviewed in accordance with changes in the Consumer Price Index and other factors. It would also revise existing restrictions on survivor claims.
Another priority measure is a joint KMT–TPP proposal, the Taiwan Future Account Special Act. The bill would automatically create a personal savings account for each child at birth, with an initial government deposit of NT$50,000 (US$1,590) and annual contributions of NT$10,000.
Funds in the account could not be withdrawn before the child turns 18. After reaching adulthood, withdrawals would be restricted to major life expenses such as higher education, vocational training, starting a business, or a down payment on a home.
The caucus also listed a draft amendment to the Criminal Code that would grant courts the authority to deny parole when sentencing a defendant to life imprisonment. Parole would be barred for serious offenses, including intentional homicide, child abuse resulting in death, and crimes causing severe injury. The proposal would also introduce additional protections for minors who are victims of sexual assault.
According to the KMT, the 42 priority bills include 17 from the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee, seven from the Transportation Committee, four each from the Judiciary and Legal Affairs Committee and the Education and Culture Committee, three each from the Finance Committee and the Economic Committee, and two each from the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee and the Internal Affairs Committee.
