This bill amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish a new whistleblower incentive program focused on defense exports control enforcement. The program, to be implemented by the Secretary of State, aims to encourage individuals to report violations of regulations such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). It mandates the creation of an online portal for submitting original information and sets timelines for establishing the program's rules.

Under this program, individuals who voluntarily provide original information leading to a civil penalty for a covered violation will be eligible for an award. The award amount will be between 10 percent and 30 percent of the collected civil penalty, with the Secretary considering the significance of the information and the whistleblower's assistance. While anonymous submissions are permitted through counsel, certain individuals, like internal compliance officers, may be ineligible for awards unless specific exceptions apply, such as preventing significant harm to national security.

The legislation includes robust anti-retaliation protections for whistleblowers, prohibiting employers from taking adverse actions against them for participating in the program. Individuals experiencing retaliation can seek legal remedies, including reinstatement and double back pay. Furthermore, the bill ensures the confidentiality of whistleblower identities, with provisions for sharing information with law enforcement agencies only under strict conditions to preserve anonymity.

To support the program, a Defense Export Compliance Accountability Fund will be established in the Treasury, funded by fines collected as a direct result of whistleblower information. This fund will be used to pay awards and cover administrative costs. The Secretary is also required to provide annual reports to Congress on the program's activities and outcomes.