CBO Scores HR 3776, Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2018

The Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2018 (HR 3776) would codify the role and responsibilities of an existing office within the Department of State that works to advance US interests in cyberspace and coordinates US efforts to promote open, reliable, and secure communications technology. In addition, the act would require the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess and report to the Congress on the extent to which international actors threaten the personal information of US citizens and the department’s efforts to protect such personal information. Finally, HR 3776 would require the department to brief or report 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 HR 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 HR 3776 would cost less than $500,000 each year and total $1 million over the 2019-2023 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.