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PRINTER'S NO. 1989
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
121
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY N. NELSON, PISCIOTTANO, KENYATTA, RYAN, JAMES,
SANCHEZ AND LEE, JULY 30, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, JULY 30, 2021
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Establishing the Blockchain Working Group.
WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Blockchain is a tamper-proof digital transaction
ledger that leverages a network of computers that each
contribute processing power.
(2) The global blockchain market size was estimated at 3
billion United States dollars in 2020, and is projected to
grow to nearly $40 billion by 2025.
(3) The most widely known application of blockchain
technology is cryptocurrency, a digital currency that can be
exchanged for goods and services. The total value of all
cryptocurrency as of April 13, 2021, was more than $2.2
trillion.
(4) Blockchain can be valuable far beyond
cryptocurrency, having potential value across many
industries. Current or future uses for blockchain include
monitoring supply chains, medical recordkeeping, safeguarding
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title transfers, digital identification and financial
recordkeeping and transactions.
(5) At present, blockchain is a regulatory gray area
that states have attempted to address. In 2019, at least 32
states introduced legislation addressing blockchain
technology. As of March 16, 2021, 16 states have introduced
legislation addressing blockchain technology.
(6) In order to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of
technological innovation and to allow Pennsylvania businesses
to compete by reaping the benefits of this growing
technology, careful research should be conducted to determine
the appropriate statutory and regulatory structure for
blockchain in this Commonwealth;
therefore be it
RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the Blockchain Working
Group be established; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the working group consist of the following
members, appointed within 90 days of the adoption of this
resolution:
(1) Eight members having knowledge and experience in
blockchain technology or representing an industry that would
benefit from the use of blockchain technology, as follows:
(i) Four members appointed by the President pro
tempore of the Senate, in consultation with the Majority
Leader and the Minority Leader of the Senate.
(ii) Four members appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, in consultation with the
Majority Leader and the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives.
(2) One member of the Senate appointed by the President
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pro tempore of the Senate, in consultation with the Majority
Leader and the Minority Leader of the Senate.
(3) One member of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in
consultation with the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader
of the House of Representatives.
(4) Four members appointed by the Governor as follows:
(i) Two members representing institutions of higher
education.
(ii) Two members of the general public.
(5) The Secretary of the Commonwealth or a designee who
shall be an employee of the Department of State.
(6) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development
or a designee who shall be an employee of the Department of
Community and Economic Development;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Governor select the chairperson of the
working group; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the working group conduct its business as
follows:
(1) The physical presence of nine members constitutes a
quorum of the working group.
(2) Action of the working group shall be authorized or
ratified by a majority vote of its members.
(3) A member not physically present may participate by
teleconference or video conference.
(4) The following shall apply:
(i) The working group shall meet as necessary but no
fewer than five times prior to December 31, 2022.
Additional meetings may be called by the chairperson as
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necessary.
(ii) The chairperson shall schedule a meeting upon
written request of nine members of the working group.
(iii) The first meeting shall be convened within 45
days.
(iv) The working group shall hold public hearings as
necessary to obtain the information required to conduct
its review.
(v) The Department of State and the Department of
Community and Economic Development shall cooperate to
provide administrative or other assistance to the working
group.
(vi) Members shall not receive compensation but
shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred in service of the working group;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the chair of the working group may create sub-
work groups at the chair's discretion for the efficient
operation of the work group, subject to the following:
(1) The chair shall appoint the chair of each sub-work
group.
(2) The chair of a sub-work group may invite other
members of the work group to serve on the sub-work group.
(3) A sub-work group may consult with subject matter
experts;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the working group have the following duties:
(1) To develop a master plan for the expansion of the
blockchain industry in this Commonwealth and recommend
policies and State investments in connection with blockchain
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technology. In developing the master plan, the work group
shall:
(i) identify economic growth and development
opportunities presented by blockchain technology;
(ii) assess the existing blockchain industry in this
Commonwealth;
(iii) review workforce needs and academic programs
required to build blockchain expertise across all
relevant industries; and
(iv) make any legislative recommendations that will
help promote innovation and economic growth by reducing
barriers to and expediting the expansion of this
Commonwealth's blockchain industry based on its findings
under paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of this subsection.
(2) To accept and review written comments from
individuals and organizations.
(3) Not later than December 31, 2022, submit a report to
the Governor, the Senate and the House of Representatives
that includes the master plan and any findings and
recommendations from any sub-work groups;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That this working group expire December 31, 2022.
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