The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published a final rule implementing its bounty hunter program. The rule provides that NHTSA may pay a monetary award to a whistleblower who provides original information that leads to the successful resolution of an enforcement action for violations of laws relating to the manufacture or sale of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment. The amount of the whistleblower award will range from 10% to 30% of collected monetary sanctions exceeding $1 million. NHTSA’s rule will take effect January 16, 2025.
NHTSA may consider several factors in determining whether an award should be given, including “significance of information, assistance provided by the whistleblower, and participation in internal compliance systems and reporting mechanisms.”