Whistleblower Program Rules

The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is proposing for public comment several amendments to the Commission's rules implementing its whistleblower program. Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act'') provides, among other things, that the Commission shall pay an award--under regulations prescribed by the Commission and subject to certain limitations--to eligible whistleblowers who voluntarily provide the Commission with original information about a violation of the federal securities laws that leads to the successful enforcement of a covered judicial or administrative action, or a related action. On May 25, 2011, the Commission adopted a comprehensive set of rules to implement the whistleblower program. The proposed rules would make certain changes and clarifications to the existing rules, as well as several technical amendments. The Commission is also including interpretive guidance concerning the terms ``unreasonable delay'' and ``independent analysis.''