Sponsors (2)
The bill boosts detection of export-control violations and national security by offering financial rewards, protections, and faster enforcement, but it also raises administrative burdens, fiscal complexity, and compliance risks for businesses and government budgets.
Taxpayers and the general public gain improved national security because incentivizing reports of diverted advanced AI chips helps prevent sensitive technology from reaching adversaries.
Whistleblowers (including industry insiders and non-U.S. citizens) can receive substantial financial rewards (10–30% of collected fines) when their original information leads to enforcement, creating a strong monetary incentive to report export-control violations.
Employees who report violations gain stronger legal protections because the bill prohibits employer retaliation and provides a private right of action with remedies (reinstatement, double back pay, attorney fees).
Enforcement agencies, government contractors, and companies face increased administrative burdens because stronger reporting incentives may generate more false, low-quality, or duplicate tips that require screening and response.
Taxpayers and federal budgets could face higher costs and greater fiscal complexity because authorized reward payments and the Fund's accounting rules increase administrative cost and may complicate fine collection and year‑end transfers.
Small businesses, financial institutions, and other companies face higher compliance risk and potential for increased fines as more reports trigger investigations and enforcement actions.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates a Commerce-run whistleblower program paying 10–30% of fines from qualifying export-control cases, plus anti-retaliation protections and a dedicated fund to pay awards.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by Marion Michael Rounds · Last progress April 10, 2025
Creates a Commerce Department whistleblower incentive and protection program for violations of U.S. export control laws, especially diversion of advanced AI chips to foreign adversaries. The program will pay qualifying whistleblowers 10–30% of fines collected from cases that result from their original information, require a secure online portal, set deadlines for credibility reviews and investigations, prohibit employer retaliation, provide a private right of action with remedies for retaliated whistleblowers, and establish a dedicated fund to pay awards and run the program.