118 HR 6572 IH: Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2023 U.S. House of Representatives 2023-12-04 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 6572IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 4, 2023Mr. Bucshon (for himself and Ms. Blunt Rochester) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo 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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2023.

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.

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.

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.