Bill > HR3029

This bill, titled the "Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act," aims to bolster national security by improving the screening of nucleic acids, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. It amends the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to include provisions for developing and implementing best practices, guidelines, and technical standards for managing risks associated with "engineering biology" (the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems) and "biomanufacturing" (the use of biological systems to produce products), including risks posed by artificial intelligence. A key component is the establishment of a new subsection focused on "nucleic acid synthesis screening tools and standards," which mandates research into improving the accuracy and reliability of screening for synthesized nucleic acids, developing security and access controls for managing databases of concerning genetic sequences, and creating guidance for effective and secure screening implementation. The bill also calls for the creation of a consortium of industry, academic, and non-profit stakeholders to develop consensus priorities and best practices for screening synthetic nucleic acid procurement and to create roadmaps for research activities. Finally, it authorizes $5 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out these biosecurity measures.