[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4363 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4363
To extend the requirement for annual briefings on National Biodefense
Strategy and to require analysis and recommendations relating to the
risks of engineering biology, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 21, 2026
Mr. Kaine (for himself and Mr. Budd) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To extend the requirement for annual briefings on National Biodefense
Strategy and to require analysis and recommendations relating to the
risks of engineering biology, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Engineering Biology Readiness Act''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL BRIEFINGS ON NATIONAL
BIODEFENSE STRATEGY.
Section 1086(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2017 (6 U.S.C. 104(d)) is amended by striking ``March 1,
2025'' and inserting ``the date that is five years after the date of
the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2027''.
SEC. 3. ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO ENGINEERING BIOLOGY
RISKS.
(a) In General.--The first time after the date of the enactment of
this Act that findings are provided to the appropriate congressional
committees pursuant to the biennial update of the biodefense threat
assessment under section 364(d)(1)(D) of the William M. (Mac)
Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (6
U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(D)), such findings shall include an analysis of, and
recommendations to enhance, the readiness of the United States national
security enterprise and life science research enterprise against
engineering biology risks.
(b) Matters Included.--
(1) Analysis.--The analysis required by subsection (a)
shall include the following:
(A) An assessment of the threat to national
security and public safety posed by current and
anticipated engineering biology risks.
(B) A description of current lines of research and
development in covered departments and agencies
relating to biodefense against engineering biology
risks, including prevention, deterrence, preparedness,
detection, response, attribution, recovery, and
mitigation.
(C) An analysis of authorities, regulations, and
programs pertaining to engineering biology risks, in
the United States, including biosafety, biosecurity,
and biodefense.
(D) An evaluation of gaps, deficiencies,
redundancies, and ambiguities in authorities and
regulations pertaining to engineering biology risks.
(E) Such other matters as the heads of the covered
departments and agencies jointly consider relevant.
(2) Recommendations.--The recommendations required by
subsection (a) shall include recommendations for the following:
(A) Aligning lines of research and development
across covered departments and agencies to reduce
redundant efforts and promote the mutual benefit for
purposes of biosafety, biosecurity, and biodefense
against engineering biology risks.
(B) Modernizing biosafety, biosecurity, and
biodefense authorities, regulations, and programs
pertaining to engineering biology risks to ensure the
United States--
(i) mitigates the safety and security
threat to national security and public safety
posed by engineering biology risks; and
(ii) benefits from the research,
development, application, and dissemination of
innovations in engineering biology under an
enduring governance framework that accommodates
novel discoveries and capabilities in life
sciences research;
(C) Establishing a program or programs, or
modernizing an existing program or programs--
(i) to establish and enforce safeguards to
mitigate engineering biology risks to national
security or public safety; and
(ii) to identify best practices, promulgate
voluntary guidance, and provide consultation on
matters of biosecurity and biosafety in the
United States.
(D) For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C),
detailed proposed legislative action and an estimate of
the amount of funding necessary to ensure that relevant
programs have adequate resources.
(E) Such other matters as the heads of the covered
departments and agencies jointly consider relevant.
(c) Consultation.--The recommendations described in subsection
(b)(2) shall be developed in consultation with--
(1) individuals representing industry, academia, and civil
society, including representatives of the life sciences
research enterprise who have not received any Federal grant or
contract in the preceding five years; and
(2) such other government agencies or interested
stakeholders as the heads of the covered departments and
agencies jointly consider appropriate.
(d) Form.--The analysis and recommendations required by this
section shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a
classified annex.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered departments and agencies'' means the
departments and agencies included in section 364(a) of the
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2021 (6 U.S.C. 106(a)).
(2) The term ``engineering biology'' has the meaning given
such term in section 10002 of the Research and Development,
Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18901).
(3) The term ``engineering biology risk'' means a risk to
national security or public safety arising from the misuse,
abuse, or accidental release of materials arising from, or the
misuse or abuse of methods, tools, or information pertaining
to, engineering biology.
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