This bill creates a new whistleblower program to catch companies illegally exporting advanced computer chips and other controlled technology to countries that are hostile to the United States. The government will pay cash rewards to people who report violations—between 10% and 30% of any fines collected that exceed $1 million. To make reporting easy and safe, the Department of Commerce will set up a secure online portal where people can submit tips anonymously. The bill also protects whistleblowers from being fired, demoted, or punished by their employers for reporting violations to the government. If a company retaliates against someone for blowing the whistle, that person can sue in federal court and recover back pay (doubled), reinstatement, and legal fees. The government will fund the program through a new "Export Compliance Accountability Fund" that collects fines from companies caught breaking export control laws. This is designed to encourage employees and insiders to come forward with information about illegal chip exports and other violations that threaten national security.

Stop Stealing our Chips Act

Kean, Thomas H.

Stop Stealing our Chips ActThis bill creates a&nbsp;whistleblower incentive program and establishes whistleblower protections for individuals who provide information to the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) related to violations of U.S. export control laws.&nbsp;Currently, BIS administers and enforces controls on the export of dual-use goods (e.g., items with both civilian and military uses) and certain military parts and components. These export controls are implemented primarily under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) through the Export Administration Regulations.Under the bill, BIS&nbsp;must establish a&nbsp;whistleblower incentive program to reward individuals who voluntarily report original information that results in BIS (1) imposing fines under ECRA&nbsp;on persons that violate, attempt to violate, conspire to violate, or cause a violation of ECRA or any related regulation, order, license, or authorization; or (2) requiring the forfeiture of property that&nbsp;results in net proceeds.Additionally, BIS must establish a secure online portal for whistleblowers to report violations of ECRA. The bill outlines requirements for BIS to review, investigate, and provide status updates related to these reports.The bill requires&nbsp;BIS to pay an award to certain whistleblowers&nbsp;who voluntarily reported original information that led to the imposition of a fine under&nbsp;ECRA. The bill establishes the Export Compliance Accountability Fund for paying these awards and funding related activities.The bill also sets forth&nbsp;whistleblower protections by (1) prohibiting&nbsp;employers from impeding communication or retaliating against individuals who act as&nbsp;whistleblowers, and (2) establishing confidentiality requirements.