Bots Research Act

I 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 2860 To direct the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission to establish a task force for the purpose of studying the effects of automated accounts on social media, public discourse, and elections. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 21, 2019 Mr. DESAULNIER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission to establish a task force for the purpose of studying the effects of automated accounts on social media, public discourse, and elections. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Bots Research Act’’. 4 SEC. 2. TASK FORCE. 5 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after 6 the date of enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the 7 VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:03 Jun 05, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2860.IH H2860 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 2860 IH Federal Trade Commission shall establish a task force to 1 carry out the study and report required under section 2. 2 (b) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The task force 3 shall be comprised of the following: 4 (1) At least 1 expert representing the Govern- 5 ment. 6 (2) At least 1 expert representing academia. 7 (3) At least 1 expert representing non-profit or- 8 ganizations. 9 (4) At least 1 expert representing industry. 10 (5) Any other expert that the Chairman deter- 11 mines appropriate. 12 (c) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Chairman shall select 13 task force members to serve by virtue of their expertise 14 in automation technology. 15 (d) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—Not later than 16 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chair- 17 man shall appoint the members of the task force. 18 (e) COMPENSATION.—Members of the task force shall 19 serve without pay and shall not receive travel expenses. 20 (f) TASK FORCE SUPPORT.—The Chairman shall en- 21 sure appropriate staff and officials of the Federal Trade 22 Commission are available to support any task force-related 23 work. 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:03 Jun 05, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2860.IH H2860 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HR 2860 IH SEC. 3. STUDY AND REPORT. 1 (a) STUDY.—The task force established in this Act 2 shall conduct a study of the impact of automated accounts 3 on social media, public discourse, and elections. Such 4 study shall include an assessment of— 5 (1) what qualifies as a bot or automated ac- 6 count; 7 (2) the extent to which automated accounts are 8 used; 9 (3) how the automated accounts are used; and 10 (4) how to most effectively combat any use of 11 automated accounts that negatively effects social 12 media, public discourse, and elections while con- 13 tinuing to promote the protection of the First 14 Amendment on the internet. 15 (b) TASK FORCE CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out 16 the requirements of this section, the task force shall con- 17 sider, at a minimum— 18 (1) the promotion of technological innovation; 19 (2) the protection of First Amendment and 20 other constitutional rights of social media users; 21 (3) the need to improve cybersecurity to ensure 22 the integrity of elections; and 23 (4) the importance of continuously reviewing 24 relevant regulations to ensure that such regulations 25 respond effectively to changes in technology. 26 VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:03 Jun 05, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2860.IH H2860 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •HR 2860 IH (c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the estab- 1 lishment of the task force, the task force shall develop and 2 submit to Congress and relevant Federal agencies the re- 3 sults and conclusions of the study conducted under sub- 4 section (a). 5 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:03 Jun 05, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H2860.IH H2860 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS