What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act This bill explicitly requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support the development of best practices and technical standards for nucleic acid synthesis. Nucleic acids, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) carry genetic information within cells. Nucleic acid synthesis is the process of designing and creating custom nucleic acids; it is used in the development of medications and agricultural products. However, this technology also poses a risk of misuse (e.g., the intentional or unintentional creation of dangerous biological agents). The bill requires NIST to carry out measurement research to support the development and improvement of biosecurity best practices and technical standards related to nucleic acid synthesis. This effort must address specified topics including nucleic acid synthesis screening, operational security, and conformity assessment. (A 2023 executive order titled Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence directed NIST to develop and refine similar specifications and best practices for use by synthetic nucleic acid providers. NIST's work on this topic is ongoing.) In carrying out this effort, NIST must convene stakeholders to develop and periodically update consensus priorities and best practices for synthetic nucleic acid screening mechanisms. Within a specified period, NIST must submit a summary of the stakeholder group’s
Carveouts & Earmarks · 2 line items · $25M tagged
Specific dollar amounts in this bill that flow to identifiable companies or programs — the actual cash trail.
$25M
Sec. 2
"Of the funds authorized to be appropriated for the National Institute of Standards and Technology pursuant to this section for scientific and technical research and services laboratory activities, there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out this subsection."
→ National Institute of Standards and Technology
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Sec. 2
"In carrying out this subsection, the Director shall convene a consortium of stakeholders, including industry, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and customers to carry out the following: (A) Develop and periodically update consensus priorities and best practices, as appropriate, for synthetic nucleic acid procurement screening mechanisms. (B) Develop roadmaps to inform the activities carried out under paragraph (1)."
→ Director
Action Timeline
2026-07-21
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
2026-07-20
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3029.
2026-07-20
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-07-20
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4666)
2026-07-20
Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2026-07-20
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4666-4667)
2026-07-20
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4666)
2026-07-16
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 654.
2026-07-16
Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 119-751.
2026-07-16
Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 119-751.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.3029 pass?
HR.3029 is still alive. Current stage: PASSED_ONE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.3029 do?
Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act This bill explicitly requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support the development of best practices and technical standards for nucleic acid synthesis. Nucleic acids, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) carry genetic information within cells. Nucleic acid synthesis is the process of designing and creating custom nucleic acids; it is used in the development of medications and agricultural products. However, this technology also poses a risk of misuse (e.g., the intentional or unintentional c…
Who sponsored HR.3029?
HR.3029 was sponsored by Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon).
How much money does HR.3029 spend?
HR.3029 contains $25M in identified line-item carveouts to specific programs and companies, across 2 earmarks.
Full Bill Text
117 HR 3029 IH: Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-04-28 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3029 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 28, 2025 Ms. Salinas (for herself and Mr. McCormick ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology A BILL To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic acid screening, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act . 2. Supporting nucleic acid screening Section 10221 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18931 ; enacted as part of title II of division B of Public Law 117–167 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1)— (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking and after the semicolon; (B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph: (D) best practices, guidelines, and technical standards for risk management associated with engineering biology and biomanufacturing, including risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence; and ; (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection: (b) Nucleic acid synthesis screening tools and standards (1) In general The Director, in consultation with heads of Federal agencies the Director considers appropriate, shall carry out measurement research to support the development and improvement of best practices and technical standards for biosecurity measures related to nucleic acid synthesis, including the following: (A) Testing to improve the accuracy, efficacy, and reliability of screening for nucleic acid synthesis. (B) Best practices, including security and access controls, for operational security and managing sequence-of-concern databases to support such screening. (C) Technical implementation guidance to ensure such screening is effective and secure. (D) Conformity-assessment best practices and technical standards. (E) Methods to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the implementation of subparagraphs (A) through (D). (2) Consortium In carrying out this subsection, the Director shall convene a consortium of stakeholders, including industry, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and customers to carry out the following: (A) Develop and periodically update consensus priorities and best practices, as appropriate, for synthetic nucleic acid procurement screening mechanisms. (B) Develop roadmaps to inform the activities carried out under paragraph (1). (3) Report Not later than 18 months after the first meeting of the consortium under paragraph (2), the Director shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report summarizing the findings of the consortium. (4) Authorization of appropriations Of the funds authorized to be appropriated for the National Institute of Standards and Technology pursuant to this section for scientific and technical research and services laboratory activities, there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out this subsection. .
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