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H.R. 3029: To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic acid screening, and for other purposes.

119th Congress · introduced 2025-04-28 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

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What does this mean?

Official title

To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic acid screening, and for other purposes.

Plain summary

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 findings to Congress. NIST must also take steps to advance risk management best practices and technical standards for engineering biology and biomanufacturing, including with respect to risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic acid screening, and for other purposes.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6] · 3 cosponsors

Money: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3029, Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act (2025-06-24) No linked contracts or vendors yet.

Words on this page, explained (3)
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Computer systems that do tasks that usually need human judgment, such as recognizing images, understanding language or making predictions. Laws about AI often cover how it is used, tested, disclosed or limited.
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Securities
Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong119-hr3029 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills