Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (11 Sep 2024): Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
What this bill does
H.R. 9194, the Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act, would amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to direct the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct measurement research supporting best practices and technical standards for screening synthetic nucleic acids—genetic material that can be manufactured for research, medical, or other purposes. This includes work on testing accuracy, security and access controls for sequence-of-concern databases, technical implementation guidance, and methods for evaluating effectiveness. NIST would also be required to convene a consortium of industry, academic, nonprofit, and customer stakeholders to develop consensus best practices and roadmaps, and to report findings to relevant congressional committees within 18 months of the consortium's first meeting. The bill also adds risk-management standards for engineering biology and biomanufacturing, including risks tied to artificial intelligence, to NIST's existing responsibilities. It authorizes $5 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for this work.
The bill primarily affects NIST, federal agencies it consults, and stakeholders involved in biotechnology, nucleic acid synthesis, and biosecurity, including companies that manufacture or screen genetic material. Its goal is to strengthen safeguards against misuse of synthetic biology technologies.
The bill was introduced in the House on July 30, 2024, by Rep. Yadira Caraveo, referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and ordered to be reported by voice vote on September 11, 2024. It did not receive a further vote before the end of the 118th Congress, meaning it would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to advance.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
11 Sep 2024
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9194 do?
- H.R. 9194, the Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act, would amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to direct the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct measurement research supporting best practices and technical standards for screening synthetic nucleic acids—genetic material that can be manufactured for research, medical, or other purposes. This includes work on testing accuracy, security and access controls for sequence-of-concern databases, technical implementation guidance, and methods for evaluating effectiveness. NIST would also be required to convene a consortium of industry, academic, nonprofit, and customer stakeholders to develop consensus best practices and roadmaps, and to report findings to relevant congressional committees within 18 months of the consortium's first meeting. The bill also adds risk-management standards for engineering biology and biomanufacturing, including risks tied to artificial intelligence, to NIST's existing responsibilities. It authorizes $5 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for this work. The bill primarily affects NIST, federal agencies it consults, and stakeholders involved in biotechnology, nucleic acid synthesis, and biosecurity, including companies that manufacture or screen genetic material. Its goal is to strengthen safeguards against misuse of synthetic biology technologies. The bill was introduced in the House on July 30, 2024, by Rep. Yadira Caraveo, referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and ordered to be reported by voice vote on September 11, 2024. It did not receive a further vote before the end of the 118th Congress, meaning it would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to advance.
- Has H.R. 9194 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 9194. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9194?
- H.R. 9194 was sponsored by Rep. Caraveo, Yadira [D-CO-8] (D-CO), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9194?
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote. (11 Sep 2024).
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