[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 22, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2944-H2947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONSUMER SAFETY TECHNOLOGY ACT

  MR. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3723) to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to 
establish a pilot program to explore the use of artificial intelligence 
in support of the mission of the Commission and direct the Secretary of 
Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on the 
use of blockchain technology and digital tokens, respectively.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3723

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer 
     Safety Technology Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.

      TITLE I--ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY

Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Pilot program for use of artificial intelligence by Consumer 
              Product Safety Commission.

               TITLE II--BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Study on blockchain technology and its use in consumer 
              protection.

                   TITLE III--DIGITAL TOKEN TAXONOMY

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Findings.
Sec. 303. Reports on unfair or deceptive acts or practices in 
              transactions relating to digital tokens.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act--
       (1) the term ``consumer product'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 3(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 2052(a)); and
       (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Commerce.

      TITLE I--ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``AI for Consumer Product 
     Safety Act''.

     SEC. 102. PILOT PROGRAM FOR USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BY 
                   CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission 
     shall establish a pilot program to explore the use of 
     artificial intelligence by the Commission in support of the 
     consumer product safety mission of the Commission.
       (b) Requirements.--In conducting the pilot program 
     established under subsection (a), the Commission shall do the 
     following:
       (1) Use artificial intelligence for at least 1 of the 
     following purposes:
       (A) Tracking trends with respect to injuries involving 
     consumer products.
       (B) Identifying consumer product hazards.
       (C) Monitoring the retail marketplace (including internet 
     websites) for the sale of recalled consumer products 
     (including both new and used products).
       (D) Identifying consumer products required by section 17(a) 
     of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2066(a)) to be 
     refused admission into the customs territory of the United 
     States.
       (2) Consult with the following:
       (A) Technologists, data scientists, and experts in 
     artificial intelligence and machine learning.
       (B) Cybersecurity experts.
       (C) Members of the retail industry.
       (D) Consumer product manufacturers.
       (E) Consumer product safety organizations.
       (F) Any other person the Commission considers appropriate.
       (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     conclusion of the pilot program established under subsection 
     (a), the Consumer Product Safety Commission shall submit to 
     the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly available on 
     the website of the Commission, a report on the findings and 
     data derived from such program, including whether and the 
     extent to which the use of artificial intelligence improved 
     the ability of the Commission to advance the consumer product 
     safety mission of the Commission.

               TITLE II--BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Blockchain Innovation 
     Act''.

     SEC. 202. STUDY ON BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND ITS USE IN 
                   CONSUMER PROTECTION.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Study required.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in 
     consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, and in 
     consultation with the any other appropriate Federal agency 
     the Secretary determines appropriate, shall conduct a study 
     on current and potential use of blockchain technology in 
     commerce and the potential benefits of blockchain technology 
     for limiting fraud and other unfair and deceptive acts and 
     practices.
       (2) Requirements for study.--In conducting the study, the 
     Secretary shall examine--
       (A) trends in the commercial use of and investment in 
     blockchain technology;
       (B) best practices in facilitating public-private 
     partnerships in blockchain technology;
       (C) potential benefits and risks of blockchain technology 
     for consumer protection;
       (D) how blockchain technology can be used by industry and 
     consumers to reduce fraud and increase the security of 
     commercial transactions;
       (E) areas in Federal regulation of blockchain technology 
     that greater clarity would encourage domestic innovation; and
       (F) any other relevant observations or recommendations 
     related to blockchain technology and consumer protection.
       (3) Public comment.--In producing the study required in 
     subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall provide opportunity 
     for public comment and advice relevant to the production of 
     the study.
       (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 6 months after the 
     completion of the study required pursuant to subsection (a), 
     the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the

[[Page H2945]]

     Senate, and make publicly available on the website of the 
     Department of Commerce, a report that contains the results of 
     the study conducted under subsection (a).

                   TITLE III--DIGITAL TOKEN TAXONOMY

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Digital Taxonomy Act''.

     SEC. 302. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) it is important that the United States remains a leader 
     in innovation;
       (2) digital tokens and blockchain technology are driving 
     innovation and providing consumers with increased choice and 
     convenience;
       (3) the use of digital tokens and blockchain technology is 
     likely to increase in the future;
       (4) the Federal Trade Commission is responsible for 
     protecting consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or 
     practices, including relating to digital tokens;
       (5) the Commission has previously taken action against 
     unscrupulous companies and individuals that committed unfair 
     or deceptive acts or practices involving digital tokens; and
       (6) to bolster the Commission's ability to enforce against 
     unfair or deceptive acts or practices involving digital 
     tokens, the Commission should ensure staff have appropriate 
     training and resources to identify and pursue such cases.

     SEC. 303. REPORTS ON UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACTS OR PRACTICES IN 
                   TRANSACTIONS RELATING TO DIGITAL TOKENS.

       Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act and each year thereafter until fiscal year 2024, the 
     Federal Trade Commission shall transmit to the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate, and make publicly available on its website, a report 
     of--
       (1) any actions taken by the Commission relating to unfair 
     or deceptive acts or practices in transactions relating to 
     digital tokens;
       (2) the Commission's other efforts to prevent unfair or 
     deceptive acts or practices relating to digital tokens; and
       (3) any recommendations by the Commission for legislation 
     that would improve the ability of the Commission and other 
     relevant Federal agencies--
       (A) to further protect consumers from unfair or deceptive 
     acts or practices in the digital token marketplace; and
       (B) to promote competition and promote innovation in the 
     global digital token sector.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 3723.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 3723, the Consumer 
Safety Technology Act, and I want to begin by thanking Representatives 
McNerney and Burgess for their leadership on this bill, which they 
reintroduced this Congress.
  This legislation will help modernize our consumer protection agencies 
and encourage the use of advanced technologies, like artificial 
intelligence and blockchain in support of product safety and consumer 
protection.
  These technologies can help the Consumer Product Safety Commission 
and the Federal Trade Commission improve their operations and more 
effectively carry out their mission.
  Technological advances and globalization have greatly expanded the 
range of consumer products on the market. And as consumers shop online, 
more and more of these products are being shipped directly to homes. 
Artificial intelligence could help the CPSC oversee the increasingly 
complex range of products under its jurisdiction by helping to identify 
new injury trends and emerging hazards.
  AI can also help the CPSC monitor online marketplaces for the illegal 
sale of recalled products. The persistence of recalled products on 
online third-party marketplaces is a particularly pernicious problem 
that puts Americans needlessly at risk.
  For example, months after the dangerous Fisher-Price Rock `n Play and 
other infant inclined sleepers were recalled, a Consumer Reports 
investigation found that these products were still being sold on sites 
like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, even though they had been 
linked to dozens of infant fatalities. I am hopeful that artificial 
intelligence can be harnessed here to help eradicate the illegal sale 
of recalled products on online marketplaces.
  The CPSC could also use AI to assess the risks of the growing number 
of imported consumer products entering our country and being sent 
directly to consumers.
  This bill incorporates a bill originally introduced by Representative 
Soto and Guthrie, the Blockchain Innovation Act, and a bill originally 
introduced by Representatives Davidson and Soto, the Digital Taxonomy 
Act.
  As incorporated in this legislation, these bills will help identify 
ways blockchain technology can be used to further support consumer 
protection. It will also make sure that scammers and fraudsters don't 
get ahead of consumers and law enforcement in the realm of blockchain 
and digital tokens.
  Mr. Speaker, finally, I thank Ranking Member Rodgers and Consumer 
Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Ranking Member Bilirakis for 
working with us to move this bill; and as always, to the chairwoman of 
the subcommittee, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).
  Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to support this measure, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3723, the Consumer 
Safety Technology Act.
  I thank Representatives Burgess, McNerney, Guthrie, Soto, and 
Davidson for their leadership on this effort and, of course, our 
chairman and our ranking member, and our ranking member on the 
subcommittee, as well as the chairman of the subcommittee.
  Mr. Speaker, the bipartisan bill directs the Consumer Product Safety 
Commission to conduct a pilot program to determine how artificial 
intelligence may be used to advance the agency's product safety 
mission.
  Given the agency's broad jurisdiction over so many consumer products, 
efficiently and accurately analyzing data in the marketplace is 
critical to its effective operation.
  This bill also includes an important study of how blockchain 
technology may be used to prevent fraud, increase privacy, and bolster 
our Nation's supply chain. This is complementary to the American 
COMPETE Act that also prioritizes this emerging technology to ensure 
America leads in the technology and in its development.
  Furthermore, H.R. 3723 also focuses on digital tokens, which are 
seeing increased adoption by consumers. The bill targets ways in which 
we can protect consumers from fraud in the digital token marketplace, a 
dangerous trend that has recently become more apparent.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their important work on this 
particular piece of legislation, and I urge all my colleagues to 
support this bill.

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McNerney), who is the prime sponsor of this bill.
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and for 
recognizing this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 3723, 
the Consumer Safety Technology Act.
  H.R. 3723 will encourage the use of emerging technologies, 
specifically artificial intelligence and blockchains, to help keep 
consumers safe. It will aid our consumer protection agencies with 
carrying out their missions.
  H.R. 3723 incorporates the AI for Consumer Product Safety Act 
legislation that I authored with Representative Burgess. These 
provisions direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, to 
establish a pilot program for the agency to use AI in furtherance of 
the agency's work to protect consumers from unsafe products.
  For example, the CPSC could use artificial intelligence to more 
quickly and efficiently identify consumer product hazards, such as 
exploding laptops that have faulty batteries, defective USB chargers, 
furniture that tips over, and unsafe infant sleeping products.
  Being able to identify these hazards more quickly will enable the 
CPSC to

[[Page H2946]]

help also recall products more quickly and, in turn, help save lives.
  We have heard firsthand from CPSC commissioners when they testified 
before the House Energy and Commerce Committee that artificial 
intelligence can benefit the agency's work in serving the American 
people.
  I am pleased that last year my legislation, the AI in Government Act, 
was enacted into law. Among other things, the AI in Government Act 
establishes an AI Center of Excellence to facilitate adoption of AI 
technology in the Federal Government. This will provide a central 
resource within the government to aid agencies with AI adoption and 
help agencies share best practices.
  But it is also critical that agencies build up their capacity 
internally to adopt AI technology. H.R. 3723 will empower the CPSC to 
do just that. The CPSC's experience here will also serve as an example 
for other agencies that are looking to integrate AI in furtherance of 
their agency's missions.
  H.R. 3723 also incorporates the Blockchain Innovation Act introduced 
by Representative Soto and Guthrie. These provisions will help ensure 
that we use the benefits of blockchain technology to help stop scams 
and fraud.
  Additionally, H.R. 3723 incorporates the Digital Taxonomy Act from 
Representatives Soto and Davidson. These provisions will help ensure 
the scammers and fraudsters don't get ahead of consumers and law 
enforcement in the realm of blockchain and digital tokens.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Burgess, Soto, Guthrie, and 
Davidson for their work in H.R. 3723, and Chairman Pallone and Ranking 
Member Rodgers for helping to move this important bill. Mr. Speaker, I 
urge all of my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Burgess).
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the legislation with 
Representative McNerney, H.R. 3723, the Consumer Safety Technology Act.
  You know, over my time in the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have 
made several trips out to the CPSC and observed firsthand how the men 
and women dedicate their lives to ensuring that consumers have safe 
products, that consumers have products that are not going to cause harm 
to the user.
  And as we approach the anniversary of our Nation's independence on 
July 4, I also have a lot of respect for these same individuals who 
ensure that our fireworks that are sold at the commercial stands at the 
side of the road also meet certain specifications.
  So as we approach Independence Day, it is always a good time to 
acknowledge the work done by the men and women in the Consumer Product 
Safety Commission.
  The bill we are talking about today actually passed the last Congress 
by a voice vote, but it did fail to advance in the United States 
Senate. It includes the bill that Mr. McNerney and I introduced, the 
Artificial Intelligence for Consumer Product Safety legislation, along 
with, as referenced, the Blockchain Innovation Act and the Digital 
Taxonomy Act.
  We are once again considering this bill because this is commonsense 
legislation that should be signed into law to improve and modernize our 
consumer protection agencies.
  The Consumer Product Safety Commission has jurisdiction over 15,000 
consumer products. Many of these are purchased online without the 
consumer reviewing or assessing the product in person. Throughout the 
time of the pandemic, Americans have sought to fulfill their needs 
through online shopping, and many companies and small businesses have 
innovated products to further increase convenience of daily life. The 
pool of products available to consumers is continually expanding, 
putting further strain on the Consumer Product Safety Commission to 
ensure the safety of those products.
  While technological advances are increasing the number of types of 
products available for consumption, the Consumer Product Safety 
Commission can employ advanced technology to assist in that mission.
  This bill directs the Consumer Safety Product Commission to establish 
a pilot program to use artificial intelligence for tracking injury 
trends, identifying consumer product hazards, monitoring the retail 
marketplace for the sale of recalled products, or identifying unsafe 
imported consumer products.
  It is safe to say that when the Consumer Product Safety Commission 
was created, no one anticipated the sheer volume of material that would 
be being imported, for which they now have responsibility.
  Artifical intelligence uses algorithms to quickly automate human 
functions and to filter and analyze data. Artificial intelligence is 
already advancing capabilities in multiple sectors to better serve 
consumers by increasing capacity and enhancing outcomes. As artificial 
intelligence advances, it should be capable of helping predict fail 
rates and identifying problems in consumer products before they can 
significantly impact the market.
  If we want the United States to stay ahead of China and other global 
competitors, we must advance and utilize artificial intelligence in all 
appropriate products and processes. I can think of no better place to 
implement these capabilities than in the protection of products used 
every single day by American consumers.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge colleagues to support this bill. Again, it passed 
the last Congress in a voice vote. We should advance it today.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Soto), another sponsor of the bill from the Energy and 
Commerce Committee.
  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Pallone, Chairwoman 
Schakowsky, Representative McNerney, Ranking Member Rodgers, Ranking 
Member Bilirakis, and Representative Guthrie for bringing forward these 
key bills on technology.
  Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain 
technologies, and cryptocurrency are playing a growing importance in 
our daily lives and are going to be an economic driver for the 21st 
century economy.
  Blockchain, in essence, is a fixed ledger. Once you add data or a 
transaction, it cannot be changed. Therefore, it makes the data have 
integrity and makes sure that, as we are doing transactions and adding 
data over the internet, it can't be changed and that there is certainty 
to it. That is why it is so critical.
  Then once we add AI to analyze this fixed data, we could help solve 
some of the largest problems that we face as a nation: healthcare, 
climate change, to be two examples; the delivery of personal protection 
equipment during a pandemic.
  And, of course, cryptocurrency allows for small businesses, in 
particular, to provide services across the world without the 
transaction costs of exchanging currencies. It will help with 
remittances and other ways that we can modernize our economy.
  It is essential that the United States continue to be a global leader 
in these emerging technologies to ensure our democratic values remain 
at the forefront of this technological development. Authoritarian 
regimes like China and Russia are investing heavily in these areas. It 
is absolutely critical for the free world to invest and to win the 
future in these areas.
  Also, as a responsible global leader, the United States must strike 
the appropriate balance of providing an environment that fosters 
innovation while ensuring appropriate consumer protection.
  That is why I am proud to work with Representative McNerney on H.R. 
3723. It includes parts of the Digital Taxonomy Act and all of the 
Blockchain Innovation Act. As many of you know, blockchain technology 
will be helpful in the ways we discussed already.
  First, H.R. 3639, the Blockchain Innovation Act, directs the 
Department of Commerce, in consultation with the FCC, to conduct a 
study and submit to Congress a report on the state of blockchain 
technology in commerce, including its use to reduce fraud and increase 
security.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Guthrie for cosponsoring and co-
introducing this bill. This is a first step toward a long-term goal of 
setting up a Blockchain Center of Excellence in the Department of 
Commerce.
  In addition, the Digital Taxonomy Act requires a similar report from 
the FCC to report recommendations on deceptive practices, and the 
relationship between the FTC, FCC, and the CFTC.

[[Page H2947]]

  Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Davidson for his cosponsorship.
  When we look at market volatility, the use of cryptocurrency for 
ransomware in recent attacks like the Colonial Pipeline and tax 
evasion, it is critical that we get in on the front end of this.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to work with Representative McNerney, and I 
urge support for H.R. 3723.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Arizona (Mrs. Lesko), an important member of the Energy and Commerce 
full committee and also the subcommittee.
  Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Bilirakis) for yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3723, the Consumer Safety 
Technology Act.
  This is important legislation that helps the U.S. solidify its 
position as a world leader in technology and innovation while 
protecting our constituents.
  This legislation builds on the American COMPETE Act, which sought to 
remove burdensome regulatory barriers to promote American innovation 
and consider how safely using artificial intelligence can transform the 
future.
  This is also a critical step in maintaining our global competitive 
edge in emerging technologies over foreign adversaries like China. It 
will make us less reliant on these bad actors for important 
technologies.
  The Consumer Safety and Technology Act establishes a pilot program to 
explore how to safely use artificial intelligence to protect consumers 
from unsafe products while advancing cutting-edge American innovation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), the chairwoman of the subcommittee.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the authors of this bipartisan 
legislation, Representatives McNerney, Burgess, Soto, Guthrie, and 
Davidson.
  Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government should put the incredible 
technological innovation of the last few years to work for the American 
people, and that is exactly what this bill does. It promotes the use of 
artificial intelligence in product safety and studies how blockchain 
can protect consumers.

                              {time}  1500

  Regulators will be stronger and the American consumer safer when we 
consider how these technologies can help them achieve this mission.
  Part of the mission of the Federal Trade Commission is to protect 
consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices. It is important 
to keep track of any such practices in the digital token ecosystem 
where unscrupulous businesspeople may be seeking to take advantage of 
the vast wealth created by digital tokens. This bill directs the 
Federal Trade Commission to report on its work keeping users of the 
digital token system safe.
  Emerging technologies pose both perils and promise. That is why we 
must direct Federal agencies to make sure that consumers are safe.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a very important bill. We have to get it past 
the finish line this time. I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support for this bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3723.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________