[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3032-H3034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONSUMER SAFETY TECHNOLOGY ACT

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4814) 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 to direct the Secretary 
of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on the 
use of blockchain technology and digital tokens, respectively, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4814

       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--TOKEN TAXONOMY

       Sec. 301. Short title.
       Sec. 302. Findings.
       Sec. 303. Report on unfair or deceptive acts or practices 
           in transactions relating to 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));
       (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Commerce; 
     and
       (3) the term ``token'' means a transferrable, digital 
     representation of information recorded on a blockchain or 
     other distributed ledger technology.

      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 
     the 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, as 
     described in section 2(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 2051(b)).
       (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) Consistent with section 6 of the Consumer Product 
     Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2055), 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 1 year 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 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 1 year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in 
     consultation with the Federal Trade Commission and any other 
     Federal agency the Secretary determines appropriate, shall 
     complete a study on the possible uses of blockchain 
     technology for consumer protection purposes, including 
     preventing or mitigating fraud and other unfair or deceptive 
     acts or practices.
       (2) Requirements for study.--In conducting the study 
     required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall examine--
       (A) existing and emerging uses of blockchain technology 
     that could help protect consumers, including by preventing or 
     mitigating fraud and other unfair or deceptive acts or 
     practices within the meaning of section 5 of the Federal 
     Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45);
       (B) trends in the commercial use of and investment in 
     blockchain technology to prevent or mitigate fraud and other 
     unfair or deceptive acts or practices as described in 
     subparagraph (A);
       (C) best practices in facilitating public-private 
     partnerships in blockchain technology to prevent or mitigate 
     fraud and other unfair or deceptive acts or practices as 
     described in subparagraph (A);
       (D) potential benefits and risks related to the use of 
     blockchain technology to prevent or mitigate fraud and other 
     unfair or deceptive acts or practices as described in 
     subparagraph (A);
       (E) possible modifications to Federal regulations that 
     could encourage the use of blockchain technology to prevent 
     or mitigate fraud and other unfair or deceptive acts or 
     practices as described in subparagraph (A); and
       (F) any other relevant observations or recommendations 
     related to the use of blockchain technology for consumer 
     protection purposes, including preventing or mitigating fraud 
     and other unfair or deceptive acts or practices as described 
     in subparagraph (A).
       (3) Public comment.--In conducting the study required by 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide opportunity for 
     public comment and advice relevant to conducting the study.
       (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 6 months after the 
     completion of the study required by subsection (a)(1), 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 Senate, and make 
     publicly available on the website of the Department of 
     Commerce, a report that contains the results of such study.

                       TITLE III--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) tokens and blockchain technology are driving innovation 
     and providing consumers with increased choice and 
     convenience;

[[Page H3033]]

       (3) the use of 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 tokens;
       (5) the Commission has previously taken action against 
     unscrupulous companies and individuals that committed unfair 
     or deceptive acts or practices involving tokens; and
       (6) to bolster the Commission's ability to enforce against 
     unfair or deceptive acts or practices involving tokens, the 
     Commission should ensure staff have appropriate training and 
     resources to identify and pursue such cases.

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

       Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Federal Trade 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--
       (1) any actions taken by the Commission relating to unfair 
     or deceptive acts or practices in transactions relating to 
     tokens;
       (2) any other efforts of the Commission to prevent unfair 
     or deceptive acts or practices relating to tokens; and
       (3) any recommendations by the Commission for legislation 
     that would improve the ability of the Commission and other 
     relevant Federal agencies to further protect consumers from 
     unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the token 
     marketplace.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and insert extraneous material in the Record on this particular bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I express my support for H.R. 4814, the Consumer Safety 
Technology Act led by Representatives Soto, Burgess, Trahan, and 
Guthrie.
  It should be no surprise, Mr. Speaker, that the global race for 
economic dominance today is centered around technology, specifically 
around emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and 
blockchain.
  Throughout this Congress, the Energy and Commerce Committee, led by 
our chairwoman, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and our ranking member, Mr. 
Pallone, has examined ways that the U.S. can continue to lead in the 
development and deployment of such technologies.
  In our subcommittee, we have discussed the need to ensure America 
leads the world and wins this critical competition, particularly 
against our adversaries, in this case, China, in every field. This 
legislation will complement other initiatives we are undertaking.
  If enacted, H.R. 4814 would ensure our consumer protection agencies 
stay up to date with emerging technologies and would encourage the use 
of emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain in support of 
product safety and consumer protection.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their work on this particular 
piece of legislation, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 4814.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 4814, the Consumer 
Safety Technology Act.
  Our consumer protection agencies play a critical role in ensuring 
unsafe products do not enter the U.S. market. Advancements in 
technology, especially as it relates to artificial intelligence, have 
the potential to help alleviate the stress some of these agencies may 
face in being underfunded and understaffed.
  H.R. 4814 would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to 
stay up to date on new and emerging technologies by integrating them 
into their daily agency functions. It also requires the Federal Trade 
Commission to study blockchain technologies and tokens.
  Both the CPSC and the FTC do important work to protect all Americans 
from dangerous products. While this bill will help assist them in those 
efforts, it is no replacement for properly funding these agencies.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the main sponsor of this bill, Representative 
Soto, a member of our committee, for his leadership on this issue, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto), the sponsor of this bill.
  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, the 
Consumer Safety Technology Act, H.R. 4814.
  It directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to launch a pilot 
program to explore the use of artificial intelligence to track injury 
trends, identify hazards, monitor recalls, and identify products not 
meeting importation requirements.
  It also requires the Department of Commerce and other agencies to 
study blockchain technology in the context of consumer products and 
safety. It also directs the Department of Commerce and the Federal 
Trade Commission to report on their efforts to address unfair and 
deceptive trade practices related to digital tokens and to promote 
innovation.
  We heard in committee, Mr. Speaker, that the crooks are already using 
AI on the internet and that we need the cops on the beat to have 
artificial intelligence as well to keep our consumers safe.
  Let's think about it. The internet is nearly infinite, and so are the 
ways to push unsafe products and put consumers in harm's way. That is 
why the Federal Trade Commission testified before our committee that 
the use of artificial intelligence would help them protect consumers by 
tracking trends of injuries involving a myriad of consumer products. 
Thousands of injuries happen each day. It helps with identifying 
consumer product hazards, categorizing them, and monitoring the sale of 
recalled consumer products. Think of how much commerce happens every 
day in America. It helps to identify consumer products that do not meet 
the importation requirements.
  It also requires a report to Congress on how and to what extent 
artificial intelligence improved the agency's ability to advance its 
mission.
  The FTC also testified it would help them save money in that it would 
be a really economic and efficient way to deploy other members of the 
FTC to go after other areas. I do agree with the ranking member that 
that is no substitute for making sure they have the full funding that 
they need.
  In addition, the blockchain technology study directs the Department 
of Commerce to study the applications of blockchain and to address 
fraud and unfair and deceptive trade practices. Blockchain can be used 
in so many different ways, whether it is through cryptocurrency, 
through storing data, through cybersecurity, or through communications. 
Of course, this should be done in consultation with the Federal Trade 
Commission, the FTC.
  Finally, we have commissioned the Federal Trade Commission to report 
to Congress on unfair and deceptive trade practices relating to tokens. 
We have also seen a need to protect consumers and promote innovation. 
We eventually need rules of the road, and this is helping get us there 
with blockchain. We need more certainty so we can have growth in both 
blockchain and cryptocurrency firms in the United States, giving them 
an understanding and certainty of the laws and their obligations, and 
also to protect consumers from scams like pump and dump, whitewashing, 
and other financial schemes.

  Mr. Speaker, for that and more, I am thrilled to be able to have this 
bill be heard on the floor, and I thank my colleagues, Representatives 
Burgess, Trahan, Guthrie, Castor, my fellow Floridian, Chairman Gus 
Bilirakis, and our Ranking Member Frank Pallone for including this on 
the agenda today.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill on both sides. 
It is obviously an important consumer safety bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, this is a great deal. These bills aren't 
high-

[[Page H3034]]

profile bills, but they are very important. They affect our 
constituents directly, and we have to stay ahead of the crooks.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on 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 Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4814, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill 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 to direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal 
Trade Commission to study and report on the use of blockchain 
technology and tokens, respectively.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________