I 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6913 
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a working group to rec-
ommend to Congress a definition of blockchain technology, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 26, 2018 
Mr. GUTHRIE (for himself and Ms. MATSUI) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in 
addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a 
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
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 Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Blockchain Promotion 
Act of 2018’’. 
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SEC. 2. WORKING GROUP TO RECOMMEND DEFINITION OF 
BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Commerce shall establish within the Department of Com-
merce a working group to be known as the ‘‘Blockchain 
Working Group’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Blockchain Working 
Group shall be composed of a number of members 
to be determined by the Secretary, to be appointed 
in accordance with paragraph (2). 
(2) APPOINTMENT.— 
(A) 
REPRESENTATIVES
OF
FEDERAL 
AGENCIES.—The Secretary shall designate Fed-
eral agencies to be represented on the Block-
chain Working Group, as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate to ensure representation of a 
cross-section of Federal agencies that could use 
or benefit from blockchain technology. The head 
of each agency so designated shall appoint an 
officer or employee of such agency to serve as 
a member of the Blockchain Working Group. 
(B) REPRESENTATIVES
OF
NONGOVERN-
MENTAL STAKEHOLDERS.— 
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(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
appoint representatives of nongovernmen-
tal 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 ap-
pointed under clause (i) shall include rep-
resentatives of the following: 
(I) Information and communica-
tions technology manufacturers, sup-
pliers, software providers, service pro-
viders, and vendors. 
(II) Subject matter experts rep-
resenting industrial sectors other than 
the technology sector that the Sec-
retary determines can benefit from 
blockchain technology. 
(III) Small, medium, and large 
businesses. 
(IV) Individuals and institutions 
engaged in academic research relating 
to blockchain technology. 
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(V) Nonprofit organizations and 
consumer advocacy groups engaged in 
activities relating to blockchain tech-
nology. 
(VI) Rural and urban stake-
holders. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Blockchain Working Group shall submit to Congress 
a report that contains— 
(A) a recommended definition of the dis-
tributed ledger technology commonly referred to 
as ‘‘blockchain technology’’; and 
(B) recommendations for— 
(i) a study to be conducted by the As-
sistant Secretary of Commerce for Com-
munications and Information, in coordina-
tion with the Federal Communications 
Commission, on the impact of blockchain 
technology on electromagnetic spectrum 
policy; 
(ii) a study that examines a range of 
potential applications, including non-finan-
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cial applications, for blockchain technology; 
and 
(iii) 
opportunities 
within 
Federal 
agencies to use blockchain technology. 
(2) CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN 
DRAFT NIST REPORT.—In making recommendations 
under paragraph (1), the Blockchain Working Group 
may consider any recommendations contained in the 
draft of National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology Internal Report 8202, entitled ‘‘Blockchain 
Technology Overview’’, that was released in January 
2018. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) FEDERAL
AGENCY.—The term ‘‘Federal 
agency’’ means an agency, as defined in section 551 
of title 5, United States Code. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Commerce. 
Æ 
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