Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2023
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to support the leadership of the United States in the use of blockchain technology and other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and tokenization. Generally, blockchain technology is a distributed digital ledger that uses cryptography to share verified information across a network of computers. Tokens refer to the transferrable, digital representation of information recorded on blockchain technology and tokenization is the process of creating a token.
Specifically, Commerce must advise the President on policies related to the deployment and use of blockchain technology and other distributed ledger technology, applications built on blockchain technology or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and tokenization. Commerce also must establish advisory committees to support the adoption of blockchain technology to facilitate the development of best practices with respect to blockchain technology, applications built on blockchain technology, tokens, and tokenization.
Commerce must report annually on the activities under this bill and provide any recommendations for additional legislation to strengthen U.S. competitiveness with respect to blockchain technology.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6572 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6572
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to take actions necessary and
appropriate to promote the competitiveness of the United States related
to the deployment, use, application, and competitiveness of blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 4, 2023
Mr. Bucshon (for himself and Ms. Blunt Rochester) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to take actions necessary and
appropriate to promote the competitiveness of the United States related
to the deployment, use, application, and competitiveness of blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Deploying American Blockchains Act
of 2023''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Blockchain technology or other distributed ledger
technology.--The term ``blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology'' means a decentralized digital
database where data is--
(A) shared across a network of computers to create
a ledger of verified information among network
participants;
(B) linked using cryptography to maintain the
integrity of the ledger and to execute other functions;
and
(C) distributed among network participants in an
automated fashion to concurrently update network
participants on the state of the ledger and other
functions.
(2) Non-governmental organization.--The term ``non-
governmental organization'' means organizations described in
section 2155(b) of title 19 of United States Code, excluding
non-Federal governments.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth, territory,
or possession of the United States, and each federally
recognized Indian Tribe.
(5) Token.--The term ``token'' means a transferrable,
digital representation of information recorded on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology.
(6) Tokenization.--The term ``tokenization'' means the
process of creating a token.
SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE LEADERSHIP ON BLOCKCHAIN.
(a) Functions of Secretary.--The Secretary shall serve as the
principal advisor to the President for policy pertaining to the
deployment, use, application, and competitiveness of blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, applications built
on blockchain technology or other distributed ledger technology,
tokens, and tokenization.
(b) Activities.--The Secretary shall take actions necessary and
appropriate to promote the competitiveness of the United States related
to the deployment, use, application, and competitiveness of blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, applications built
on blockchain technology or other distributed ledger technology,
tokens, and tokenization including by--
(1) establishing best practices described in subsection (3)
to assist the private sector, the public sector, and public-
private partnerships in the deployment of technologies needed
to advance the capabilities of blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, applications built on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization;
(2) developing policies and recommendations on issues and
risks pertaining to the deployment, use, application, and
competitiveness of blockchain technology or other distributed
ledger technology, applications built on blockchain technology
or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization, including the issues of decentralized identity,
cybersecurity, key storage and security systems, artificial
intelligence, fraud reduction, regulatory compliance, e-
commerce, health care applications, and supply chain
resiliency;
(3) supporting and promoting the stability, maintenance,
improvement, and security of blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, applications built on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization;
(4) helping to promote the leadership of the United States
with respect to the use of blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, applications built on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization;
(5) promoting the national security and economic security
of the United States with respect to blockchain technology or
other distributed ledger technology, applications built on
blockchain technology or other distributed ledger technology,
tokens, and tokenization;
(6) supporting engagement with the public to promote best
practices described in subsection (3);
(7) considering policies or programs to encourage and
improve coordination among Federal agencies with respect to the
deployment of blockchain technology or other distributed ledger
technology, applications built on blockchain technology or
other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and tokenization;
(8) examining--
(A) how Federal agencies can benefit from utilizing
blockchain technology or other distributed ledger
technology applications built on blockchain technology
or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization;
(B) the current use by Federal agencies of
blockchain technology or other distributed ledger
technology, applications built on blockchain technology
or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization;
(C) the current and future preparedness and ability
of Federal agencies to adopt blockchain technology or
other distributed ledger technology, applications built
on blockchain technology or other distributed ledger
technology, tokens, and tokenization; and
(D) additional security measures Federal agencies
may need to take to--
(i) safely and securely use blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger
technology, applications built on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger
technology, tokens, and tokenization, including
to ensure the security of critical
infrastructure; and
(ii) enhance the resiliency of Federal
systems against cyber threats to blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger
technology, applications built on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger
technology, tokens, and tokenization;
(9) support the coordination of current and future
activities of the Federal government related to the security of
blockchain technology and other distributed technologies,
applications built on blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, tokens, and tokenization;
(10) establishing a Blockchain Deployment Program to
support American leadership in the deployment and use of
blockchain technology and other distributed ledger technology,
applications built on blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, tokens, and tokenization; and
(11) establishing advisory committees, not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to support
the adoption of blockchain technology or other distributed
ledger technology, applications built on blockchain technology
or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization, membership of which shall include--
(A) the Secretary;
(B) representatives of Federal agencies (as
determined necessary by the Secretary); and
(C) nongovernmental stakeholders with expertise
related to blockchain technology or other distributed
ledger technology, including representatives of--
(i) blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology infrastructure
operators, suppliers, service providers, and
vendors;
(ii) application developers building on
blockchain technology or other distributed
ledger technology;
(iii) developers and organizations
supporting the advancement and deployment of
public blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology;
(iv) subject matter experts representing
industrial sectors that can benefit from
blockchain technology or other distributed
ledger technology;
(v) small, medium, and large businesses;
(vi) think tanks and academia;
(vii) nonprofit organizations and consumer
groups;
(viii) cybersecurity experts;
(ix) rural stakeholders;
(x) Non-governmental organizations;
(xi) artists and the content creator
community; and
(xii) other stakeholders with relevant
expertise (as determined necessary by the
Secretary).
(c) Best Practices.--The Secretary, shall, on an ongoing basis,
facilitate and support the development and dissemination of best
practices with respect to blockchain technology or other distributed
ledger technology, applications built on blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, tokens, and tokenization that--
(1) support interoperability of blockchain technology or
other distributed ledger technology, applications built on
blockchain technology or other distributed ledger technology,
tokens, and tokenization;
(2) support operations, including hashing and key storage
and security systems, that form the foundation of blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, applications
built on blockchain technology or other distributed ledger
technology, tokens, and tokenization;
(3) reduce cybersecurity and other risks that may
compromise blockchain technology or other distributed ledger
technology, applications built on blockchain technology or
other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and tokenization;
(4) reduce uncertainty risks in the use of blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, applications
built on blockchain technology or other distributed ledger
technology, tokens, and tokenization; and
(5) quantify the value and potential cost savings
associated with adoption of blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, applications built on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization, including through comparative analyses of
competing and existing technologies within specific industry
applications.
(d) Additional Requirements.--In carrying out subsection (3), the
Secretary shall--
(1) consult closely and regularly with stakeholders,
including private sector individuals and entities, and
incorporate industry expertise;
(2) collaborate with private sector stakeholders to
identify prioritized, flexible, repeatable, performance-based,
and cost-effective approaches to the deployment of blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, applications
built on blockchain technology or other distributed ledger
technology, tokens, and tokenization;
(3) disseminate research and information pertaining to the
use of, and marketplace for, blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, applications built on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization;
(4) develop standardized terminology, and promote common
understanding of blockchain technology or other distributed
ledger technology, applications built on blockchain technology
or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization;
(5) ensure the best practices described in paragraph (3)
facilitate the ease of use of blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, applications built on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization;
(6) support open-source infrastructure, data management,
and authentication activities with respect to blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, applications
built on blockchain technology or other distributed ledger
technology, tokens, and tokenization; and
(7) consider the needs and interests of both the private
and public sector, including small businesses and Federal,
State, and local governments.
(e) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to--
(1) require a private entity to share information with the
Secretary;
(2) require a private entity to request assistance from the
Secretary;
(3) require a private entity to implement any measure or
recommendation suggested by the Secretary in response to a
request by the private entity; or
(4) require the adoption of the best practices described in
paragraph (3).
(f) Consultation.--In implementing this section, the Secretary may,
as appropriate, consult with the heads of relevant Federal agencies.
(g) Termination.--The Blockchain Deployment Program established
subsection (J) by shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall make public on the website
of the Department of Commerce and submit to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes--
(1) a description of the activities of the Secretary under
this Act during the preceding year;
(2) any recommendations by the Secretary for additional
legislation to strengthen the competitiveness of the United
States with respect to blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, applications built on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization; and
(3) a description of any emerging risks and long-term
trends with respect to blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, applications built on blockchain
technology or other distributed ledger technology, tokens, and
tokenization.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-501.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-501.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 417.
Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3040-3042)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6572.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
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Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3256-3257)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 334 - 79 (Roll no. 210). (text: 5/14/2024 CR H3040-3041)
Roll Call #210 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 334 - 79 (Roll no. 210). (text: 5/14/2024 CR H3040-3041)
Roll Call #210 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.