Stop Stealing our Chips Act

The bill would amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to establish a whistleblower incentive program administered by BIS. Within 120 days of enactment, BIS would be required to launch a secure online portal for reporting export control violations and stand up the formal incentive program. Qualifying whistleblowers who provide original information leading to fines greater than $1 million would be eligible for awards of 10 to 30 percent of the collected fine amount. The bill would also create the Export Compliance Accountability Fund — a self-financing Treasury account funded from collected fines — to pay those awards and cover program administration costs.

The bill would prohibit employers from retaliating against or impeding individuals who report suspected violations, whether internally, to law enforcement, or to BIS. Whistleblowers who face retaliation could sue in federal district court for reinstatement, double back pay, and attorney's fees. Certain categories of insiders — such as compliance officers and public accounting firm employees — would be disqualified from awards unless specific exceptions apply. Federal employees acting within their official duties, and individuals on designated sanctions or denial lists, would be excluded from the program entirely.

Individuals anywhere in the world — including non-U.S. citizens — who possess knowledge of export control violations and choose to report them; employers in industries subject to export controls (particularly semiconductor and AI chip companies) who would face new anti-retaliation obligations; and BIS and the Department of Commerce, which would administer the program, portal, and fund.

Whistleblowers who successfully trigger a fine above $1 million could receive awards potentially reaching tens of millions of dollars, creating a strong financial incentive to report diversion of restricted technology. Companies subject to export controls would face greater risk of internal reporting and external enforcement actions, potentially incentivizing tighter compliance programs to prevent violations before they occur.

BIS must stand up both the secure reporting portal and the formal whistleblower incentive program within 120 days of enactment, and establish the Export Compliance Accountability Fund within 90 days. After receiving a report, BIS has 60 days to assess credibility and, if warranted, open a formal investigation; the whistleblower must receive status updates at least every 180 days. Award amounts are set at 10–30 percent of collected fines and are determined by the Secretary based on accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and usefulness. The Fund is self-financing from fines collected in whistleblower-initiated actions; surplus above $100 million (inflation-adjusted) or outstanding award obligations reverts to the general Treasury at year-end. Aggrieved whistleblowers may enforce anti-retaliation rights in federal district court.