Stop Stealing our Chips Act

This bill would establish a whistleblower incentive program and legal protections for individuals who report violations of U.S. export control laws to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). The proposal would require the BIS to create a secure online reporting portal and would authorize financial awards for whistleblowers whose information leads to the imposition of fines for illegal exports of dual-use or military goods. Additionally, the legislation would create the Export Compliance Accountability Fund to finance these awards and would prohibit retaliation against individuals who provide information.

This bill affects individuals who voluntarily provide original information regarding violations of U.S. export control laws to the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). It also impacts persons or entities that violate, attempt to violate, or conspire to violate the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) by subjecting them to potential fines and investigations. Additionally, the BIS is affected as it is required to establish a whistleblower incentive program, a secure reporting portal, and the Export Compliance Accountability Fund.

• Establishment of a whistleblower incentive program. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) must create a program to reward individuals who voluntarily provide original information regarding violations of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA). Awards are authorized for information that leads to the successful imposition of fines for export control violations.
• Creation of the Export Compliance Accountability Fund. The bill establishes a dedicated fund to pay whistleblower awards and finance related administrative activities. This fund supports the financial incentives provided to individuals reporting violations of export regulations and licenses.
• Implementation of a secure reporting portal. The BIS is required to develop and maintain a secure online portal for whistleblowers to report potential violations of export control laws. The bill also mandates that the BIS review, investigate, and provide status updates on these reports.
• Whistleblower protections and confidentiality. The legislation prohibits retaliation against individuals who act as whistleblowers and establishes strict confidentiality requirements for their identities. These protections apply to individuals reporting violations, attempted violations, or conspiracies to violate export regulations.

The bill expands the enforcement framework of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) by establishing a whistleblower incentive program and protections for reporting violations of that Act. It specifically targets the enforcement of export controls on dual-use goods and military components currently managed by the Bureau of Industry and Security under the Export Administration Regulations.

The bill aims to strengthen the enforcement of U.S. export control laws by establishing a whistleblower incentive program and legal protections for individuals who report violations to the Bureau of Industry and Security. It seeks to encourage the disclosure of information regarding the illegal export of dual-use goods and military components through financial rewards and the creation of a secure reporting portal.