[House Report 119-751]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 119-751
======================================================================
NUCLEIC ACID STANDARDS FOR BIOSECURITY ACT
_______
July 16, 2026.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Babin, from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 3029]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom
was referred the bill (H.R. 3029) to amend the Research and
Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic
acid screening, and for other purposes, having considered the
same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and
recommends that the bill do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Legislative History.............................................. 2
Section-by-Section............................................... 2
Related Committee Hearings....................................... 3
Committee Consideration.......................................... 3
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch..................... 3
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the
Committee...................................................... 3
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 3
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 3
Federal Advisory Committee Act................................... 4
Unfunded Mandate Statement....................................... 4
Earmark Identification........................................... 4
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 4
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 4
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................ 4
Changes to Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 5
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 3029 takes a proactive and balanced approach to
biosecurity in the biotechnology sector. It authorizes the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to
coordinate a public-private consortium tasked with developing
technical standards and best practices for screening custom
synthetic nucleic acids.
Background and Need for Legislation
Biotechnology companies routinely produce custom-ordered
nucleic acids for university, industry, nonprofit, and
government researchers; although industry has historically
worked to develop international standards related to screening
molecules of concern, U.S.-led efforts are still required to
further increase adoption of sufficiently rigorous protocols.
Given the complex nature of how a nucleic acid, such as DNA,
encodes a downstream biological product, the development of
screening best practices and standards requires careful
deliberation by stakeholders. These best practices must
minimize risks while also preserving the ability of
stakeholders to use nucleic acids for the R&D that drives major
societal benefit as well as contributions to economic and
national security. This challenge will grow significantly as AI
systems improve in their capabilities to design complex
sequences consisting of natural or engineered properties that
evade traditional detection.
H.R. 3029 emphasizes a commonsense path forward: providing
tools to mitigate risks while protecting American leadership in
biotechnology, economic competitiveness, and national security.
It promotes technical guidance that industry can actually use,
and ensures standards evolve alongside cutting-edge scientific
developments.
Legislative History
H.R. 3029 was introduced on April 28, 2025, by
Representative Salinas (D-OR) and is cosponsored by
Representatives McCormick (R-GA), McBride (D-DE), and Riley (D-
NY).
Section-by-Section
Section 1. Short title
This section establishes the short title of the legislation
as the ``Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act.''
Section 2. Supporting nucleic acid screening
This section authorizes the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology to advance best practice,
guidelines, and technical standards for risk management
associated with engineering biology and biomanufacturing. This
section also authorizes the Director to carry out research
measurement to support the development and improvement of best
practices and technical standards for biosecurity measures
related to nucleic acid synthesis. Additionally, this section
authorizes a consortium of stakeholders, establishes reporting
requirements, and authorizes appropriations of five million
dollars for these activities.
Related Committee Hearings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(6) of rule XIII, the following
hearing was used to develop or consider H.R. 3029.
On Febrary 5, 2025, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology held a hearing entitled The State of U.S. Science
and Technology: Ensuring U.S. Global Leadership. Members and
witnesses discussed the current condition of the United States'
science and technology enterprise, including biotechnology, and
its role in the global innovation race.
Witnesses:
The Honorable Heather Wilson, President,
University of Texas El Paso, former Secretary of the
United States Air Force
The Honorable Walter Copan, Vice President
for Research and Technology Transfer, Colorado School
of Mines, former Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology
Dr. Sudip Parikh, Chief Executive Officer
and Executive Publisher, American Association for the
Advancement of Science
Mr. Samuel Hammond, Chief Economist,
Foundation for American Innovation
Committee Consideration
On April 29, 2025, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology met to consider H.R. 3029.
Chairman Babin moved that the Committee favorably report
the bill to the House of Representatives with the
recommendation that the bill be approved. The motion was agreed
to by voice vote, a quorum being present.
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that H.R. 3029 does not relate to the
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the Committee
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause (3)(c)(4) of rule XIII, the goal of H.R.
3029 is to provide tools aimed at mitigating risks while
protecting American leadership in biotechnology, economic
competitiveness, and national security. This legislation
promotes technical guidance that industry can actually use, and
ensures standards evolve alongside cutting-edge scientific
developments.
Duplication of Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, the Committee
finds that no provision of H.R. 3029 establishes or
reauthorizes a program of the Federal Government known to be
duplicative of another Federal program, including any program
that was included in a report to Congress pursuant to section
21 of Public Law 111-139 or identified in the most recent
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.
Federal Advisory Committee Act
The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish
or authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within
the definition of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
Unfunded Mandate Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
Earmark Identification
Pursuant to clauses 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the
Committee finds that H.R. 3029 does not include any
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits.
Committee Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority,
and Tax Expenditures
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII, the Committee
finds that H.R. 3029 would result in no new or increased budget
authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or
revenues.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
With respect to the requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of
rule XIII and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate
for H.R. 3029 from the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
H.R. 3029 would authorize the appropriation of $5 million
annually from 2026 through 2030 for the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop best practices for
managing the risks of engineering biology and biomanufacturing,
and for biosecurity measures related to nucleic acid synthesis.
That synthesis is the process of creating nucleic acids, such
as DNA and RNA, within or outside of a cell. To conduct those
activities, NIST would be required to meet with experts and
other interested parties and report its findings to the
Congress.
Based on historical spending patterns for similar
activities, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost
$24 million over the 2025-2030 period and $1 million after
2030, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.
The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall
within budget function 370 (commerce and housing credit).
TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 3029
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
--------------------------------------------------------------
2025-
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2030
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorization.................................... 0 5 5 5 5 5 25
Estimated Outlays................................ 0 4 5 5 5 5 24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Kelly Durand.
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy
Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, COMPETITION, AND INNOVATION ACT
DIVISION B--RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
* * * * * * *
TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FUTURE
* * * * * * *
Subtitle B--Measurement Research
SEC. 10221. ENGINEERING BIOLOGY AND BIOMETROLOGY.
(a) In General.--The Director, in coordination with the
National Engineering Biology Research and Development
Initiative established pursuant to title IV, shall--
(1) support basic measurement science and technology
research for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and
biometrology to advance--
(A) measurement technologies to support
foundational understanding of the mechanisms of
conversion of DNA information into cellular
function;
(B) technologies for measurement of such
biomolecular components and related systems;
(C) new data tools, techniques, and processes
to improve engineering biology,
biomanufacturing, and biometrology research;
[and]
(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
[(D)] (E) other areas of measurement science
and technology research determined by the
Director to be critical to the development and
deployment of engineering biology,
biomanufacturing and biometrology;
(2) support activities to inform and expand the
development of measurements infrastructure needed to
develop technical standards to establish
interoperability and facilitate commercial development
of biomolecular measurement technology and engineering
biology applications;
(3) convene industry, institutions of higher
education, nonprofit organizations, Federal
laboratories, and other Federal agencies engaged in
engineering biology research and development to develop
coordinated technical roadmaps for authoritative
measurement of the molecular components of the cell;
(4) provide access to user facilities with advanced
or unique equipment, services, materials, and other
resources to industry, institutions of higher
education, nonprofit organizations, and government
agencies to perform research and testing;
(5) establish or expand collaborative partnerships or
consortia with other Federal agencies engaged in
engineering biology research and development,
institutions of higher education, Federal laboratories,
and industry to advance engineering biology
applications; and
(6) support graduate and postgraduate research and
training in biometrology, biomanufacturing, and
engineering biology.
(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.
[(b)] (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may
be construed to alter the policies, processes, or practices of
individual Federal agencies in effect on the day before the
date of the enactment of this Act relating to the conduct or
support of biomedical research and advanced development,
including the solicitation and review of extramural research
proposals.
[(c)] (d) Controls.--In carrying out activities authorized by
this section, the Secretary shall ensure proper security
controls are in place to protect sensitive information, as
appropriate.
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