Bots Research Act

Mark DeSaulnier

Democrat · CA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

2026-10-09

Source: Congress.gov

Plain-English summary pending. Introduced on 2026-10-09. Check back soon — summaries are generated as bills progress through Congress.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 10775 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10775 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 October 9, 2026 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 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 Federal 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 work related to the task force. SEC. 3. STUDY AND REPORT. (a) Study.--The task force established under section 2 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 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 with respect to 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). <all>

• HR10641Employee and Retiree Access to Justice Act
  Referred to Committee · 2026-10-01
• HR10662Better Transit for Riders Act
  Referred to Committee · 2026-10-01
• HR10546Confronting and Correcting Historical Injustices Act
  Referred to Committee · 2026-09-24
• HR10331Patient Navigation Assistance Act
  Referred to Committee · 2026-09-10