H.R. 10775 – Bots Research Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated October 14, 2026 at 4:50 AM UTC

The Bots Research Act directs the Federal Trade Commission chair to create a task force that will study how automated social‑media accounts (bots) affect public conversation and elections. The task force must be formed within 90 days and report its findings to Congress within a year. Its work focuses on defining bots, measuring their use, and recommending ways to limit harmful impacts while protecting free‑speech rights.

Key Provisions

The FTC chair must establish a task force within 90 days of the law’s enactment.
The task force must include at least one expert from government, academia, non‑profit, and industry, plus any others the chair deems appropriate.
Members serve without pay and receive no travel expenses, but the FTC will provide staff support.
The task force will study what counts as a bot, how widely and in what ways bots are used, and how to counter negative effects on social media, public discourse, and elections while safeguarding First Amendment rights.
The study must consider technological innovation, constitutional protections, election cybersecurity, and the need to keep regulations up‑to‑date with technology.
A final report with conclusions must be submitted to Congress and relevant federal agencies no later than one year after the task force is formed.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

October 9, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 9, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

October 9, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 9, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10775

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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Bots Research Act.

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.

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).