Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif., introduced a bill that, if passed, would commission a study on blockchain technology and digital currency, and another on how artificial intelligence (AI) can aid the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The bill would put the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in charge of studying and reporting on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. The Consumer Safety Product Commission would take the lead on the study of how AI can aid its mission.
The bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 4. The bill has support on both sides of the aisle and is co-sponsored by Reps. Michael Burgess, R-Tex.; Darren Soto, D-Fla.; Brett Guthrie, R-Kan.; and Warren Davidson, R-Ohio.
The bill is similar to another McNerney introduced in the last congress, the Consumer Safety Technology Act. The Act had the same top-line items and was passed in the House of the 116th Congress before stalling in the Senate.
McNerney has also sponsored the Cyber Sense Act and the Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act with Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, both reintroduced in early May, which will bolster the security of the electric grid if passed.