Description:
H.R. 3776 would codify the role and responsibilities of an existing office within the Department of State that works to advance U.S. interests in cyberspace and coordinates U.S. efforts to promote open, reliable, and secure communications technology. In addition, the bill would require briefings or reports to the Congress on:
- Executive agreements on cyberspace policy made with other countries;
- Updates to an existing international policy on cyberspace; and
- Freedom of expression through electronic means in foreign countries.
The department indicated that implementing H.R. 3776 would not change the current policies and practices of the office nor would it impose any additional costs. Using information about the costs of similar reports, CBO estimates that implementing the reporting requirements under H.R. 3776 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2018-2022 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
Enacting H.R. 3776 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3776 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
H.R. 3776 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
