[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 553 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 373
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 553
[Report No. 116-177]
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a working group to
recommend to Congress a definition of blockchain technology, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 26, 2019
Mr. Young (for himself and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
December 17, 2019
Reported by Mr. Wicker, with amendments
[Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a working group to
recommend to Congress a definition of blockchain 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 ``Blockchain Promotion Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. WORKING GROUP TO RECOMMEND DEFINITION OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``Federal agency'' has the meaning given the
term ``agency'' in section 551 of title 5, United States Code;
and
(2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Commerce.
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish within the
Department of Commerce a working group to be known as the ``Blockchain
Working Group''.
(c) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Blockchain Working Group shall be
composed of members, the number of whom shall be determined by
the Secretary, and who shall be appointed in accordance with
paragraph (2).
(2) Appointment.--
(A) Representatives of federal agencies.--
(i) Designation of federal agencies.--The
Secretary shall designate Federal agencies to
be represented in the Blockchain Working Group,
as the Secretary considers appropriate to
ensure representation of a cross-section of
Federal agencies that could use, or benefit
from, blockchain technology.
(ii) Appointment of members.--The head of
each Federal agency designated under clause (i)
shall appoint an officer or employee of the
Federal agency to serve as a member of the
Blockchain Working Group.
(B) Representatives of nongovernmental
stakeholders.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
appoint representatives of nongovernmental
stakeholders with respect to blockchain
technology to serve as members of the
Blockchain Working Group.
(ii) Representation of certain stakeholders
required.--The members of the Blockchain
Working Group appointed under clause (i) shall
include representatives of--
(I) representatives of information
and communications technology
manufacturers, suppliers, software
providers, service providers, and
vendors;
(II) subject matter experts
representing industrial sectors, other
than the technology sector, that the
Secretary determines could use, or
benefit from, blockchain technology;
(III) representatives of small,
medium, and large businesses;
(IV) individuals and
representatives of institutions engaged
in academic research relating to
blockchain technology;
(V) representatives of nonprofit
organizations and consumer advocacy
groups engaged in activities relating
to blockchain technology; and
(VI) representatives of rural and
urban stakeholders.
(C) No pay for members.--A member of the Blockchain
Working Group shall serve without pay.
(d) Report to Congress.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Blockchain Working Group shall
submit to Congress a report that contains--
(A) a recommended definition of the distributed
ledger technology commonly known as ``blockchain
technology''; and
(B) recommendations for--
(i) a study to be conducted by the
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Communications and Information, in coordination
with the Federal Communications Commission, on
the impact of blockchain technology on
electromagnetic spectrum policy;
(ii) a study to examine a range of
potential applications, including nonfinancial
applications, for blockchain technology; and
(iii) opportunities for Federal agencies to
use blockchain technology.
(2) Consideration of recommendations in nist internal
report 8202.--In making recommendations under paragraph (1),
the Blockchain Working Group may consider any recommendations
contained in National Institute of Standards and Technology
Internal Report 8202, entitled ``Blockchain Technology
Overview'' and published in October 2018.
(e) Termination.--The Blockchain Working Group shall terminate on
the date on which the Blockchain Working Group submits to Congress the
report under subsection (d)(1).
Calendar No. 373
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 553
[Report No. 116-177]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a working group to
recommend to Congress a definition of blockchain technology, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 17, 2019
Reported with amendments