[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1664 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1664
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
February 27, 2025
Mrs. Cammack (for herself and Mr. Soto) 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 2025''.
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 distributed 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) Covered nongovernmental representatives.--The term
``covered nongovernmental representatives'' means
representatives as specified in the second sentence of section
135(b)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155(b)(1)),
except that such term does not include representatives of 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 transferable,
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) Function 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 support the leadership of the United States with respect
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) developing policies and recommendations on issues and
risks 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 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;
(2) 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;
(3) helping to promote the leadership of the United States
with respect 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 through the establishment of a Blockchain
Deployment Program in the Department of Commerce;
(4) 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;
(5) supporting engagement with the public to promote the
best practices described in subsection (c);
(6) considering policies and 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;
(7) 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;
(8) supporting coordination of the activities of the
Federal Government related to the security of blockchain
technology and other distributed ledger technology,
applications built on blockchain technology or other
distributed ledger technology, tokens, and tokenization; and
(9) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, establishing advisory committees 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,
the 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--
(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) covered nongovernmental
representatives;
(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 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) support the interoperability of blockchain technology
or other distributed ledger technology, applications built on
blockchain technology or other distributed ledger technology,
tokens, and tokenization;
(3) 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;
(4) 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;
(5) reduce uncertainty and 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
(6) 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 this section, 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 for, 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 subsection (c)
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
subsection (c).
(f) Consultation.--In implementing this section, the Secretary may,
as appropriate, consult with the heads of relevant Federal agencies.
(g) Termination of Program.--The Blockchain Deployment Program
established pursuant to subsection (b)(3) 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.
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