Bots Research Act
Bill: H.R.8407 | Sponsor: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark (D-CA)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Bots Research Act
This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish a task force to study and report to Congress and relevant federal agencies on the impact of automated accounts on social media, public discourse, and elections.

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 Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Bots Research Act''.

SEC. 2. TASK FORCE.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission 
shall establish a task force to carry out the study and report required 
under section 3.
    (b) Number and Appointment.--The task force shall be comprised of 
the following:
            (1) At least 1 expert representing the Government.
            (2) At least 1 expert representing academia.
            (3) At least 1 expert representing non-profit 
        organizations.
            (4) At least 1 expert representing industry.
            (5) Any other expert that the Chairman determines 
        appropriate.
    (c) Qualifications.--The Chairman shall select task force members 
to serve by virtue of their expertise in automation technology.
    (d) Deadline for Appointment.--Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Chairman shall appoint the 
members of the task force.
    (e) Compensation.--Members of the task force shall serve without 
pay and shall not receive travel expenses.
    (f) Task Force Support.--The Chairman shall ensure appropriate 
staff and officials of the Federal Trade Commission are available to 
support any task force-related work.

SEC. 3. STUDY AND REPORT.

    (a) Study.--The task force established in this Act shall conduct a 
study of the impact of automated accounts on social media, public 
discourse, and elections, including an assessment of--
            (1) what qualifies as a bot or automated account;
            (2) the extent to which automated accounts are used;
            (3) how the automated accounts are used; and
            (4) how to most effectively combat any use of automated 
        accounts that negatively effects social media, public 
        discourse, and elections while continuing to promote the 
        protection of the First Amendment on the internet.
    (b) Task Force Considerations.--In carrying out the requirements of 
this section, the task force shall consider, at a minimum--
            (1) the promotion of technological innovation;
            (2) the protection of First Amendment and other 
        constitutional rights of social media users;
            (3) the need to improve cybersecurity to ensure the 
        integrity of elections; and
            (4) the importance of continuously reviewing relevant 
        regulations to ensure that such regulations respond effectively 
        to changes in technology.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the 
task force, the task force shall develop and submit to Congress and 
relevant Federal agencies the results and conclusions of the study 
conducted under subsection (a).
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