119th Congress · introduced in the House · Apr 28, 2025
To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic acid screening, and for other purposes.
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Jul 21, 2026): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in House (Apr 28, 2025)
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.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4666)
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)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3029.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4666-4667)
Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 654.
Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 119-751.
Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 119-751.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
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Biological and life sciences · Cell biology and embryology · Research and development
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TWIST BIOSCIENCE CORPORATION · lobbying firm or registrant: IPOLICY SOLUTIONS
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 18, 2025 · issue area: Science/Technology
$75,000
Paid to lobbying firm
No bill #: Securing Gene Synthesis Act No bill #: Gene Synthesis Safety and Security Act H.R. 3029: Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act
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