Bill > HR3029

This bill amends the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to enhance biosecurity measures related to nucleic acid synthesis. Specifically, the bill directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct research to develop and improve best practices and technical standards for screening nucleic acid synthesis, which involves creating or synthesizing genetic material. The research will focus on improving screening accuracy, establishing security protocols, managing databases of potentially dangerous genetic sequences, and creating guidance for effective screening. The bill mandates the formation of a stakeholder consortium including industry, universities, nonprofits, and customers to develop consensus priorities and best practices for synthetic nucleic acid procurement screening. The consortium will create roadmaps to guide the research and must submit a report to congressional committees within 18 months of its first meeting. The bill authorizes $5 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support this research, with a particular emphasis on managing risks associated with engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and the use of artificial intelligence in genetic research and development.