House Commerce OKs COVID-19 Anti-Scam Bill, Emerging Tech Measures

The House Commerce Committee advanced tech bills Wednesday on voice votes -- the Combating Pandemic Scams Act (HR-6435), AI for Consumer Product Safety Act (HR-8128) and American Competitiveness of a More Productive Emerging Tech Economy Act (HR-8132). The committee earlier cleared (see 2009090068) three communications measures. HR-6435 would compel the FTC to inform the public about mail, telemarketing and internet scams involving COVID-19. HR-8128 would direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to start a pilot using artificial intelligence. HR-8132 would require the FTC and Commerce Department report on the impact of AI and other emerging technologies on U.S. businesses doing interstate commerce. Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., hoped the chamber votes on the measures “soon.” Ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., and other GOP leaders said they're "disappointed that legislation on autonomous vehicles and data protection were noticeably missing” from the markup.