Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (31 Aug 2026): Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
What this bill does
H.R. 10197, the Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act, would require businesses that synthesize and sell nucleic acids, or produce and sell equipment for synthesizing them, to establish programs for verifying customer identities and the intended use of their products. These businesses would also need to identify potentially "covered sequences" that pose a high risk to national security or public safety, refuse sales of such sequences if deemed risky, and notify the Secretary of Commerce if they believe a customer intends to misuse a sequence.
The bill affects entities operating in interstate or foreign commerce that synthesize or sell nucleic acids or the equipment used to make them, including benchtop nucleic acid synthesizers. It mandates independent assessments of compliance and record-keeping for at least five years. The Secretary of Commerce would be responsible for issuing guidance on these requirements, developing a list of covered sequences, and enforcing the provisions, with penalties for violations.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on August 31, 2026, and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill text states that the requirements would take effect one year after enactment.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
31 Aug 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 10197 do?
- H.R. 10197, the Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act, would require businesses that synthesize and sell nucleic acids, or produce and sell equipment for synthesizing them, to establish programs for verifying customer identities and the intended use of their products. These businesses would also need to identify potentially "covered sequences" that pose a high risk to national security or public safety, refuse sales of such sequences if deemed risky, and notify the Secretary of Commerce if they believe a customer intends to misuse a sequence. The bill affects entities operating in interstate or foreign commerce that synthesize or sell nucleic acids or the equipment used to make them, including benchtop nucleic acid synthesizers. It mandates independent assessments of compliance and record-keeping for at least five years. The Secretary of Commerce would be responsible for issuing guidance on these requirements, developing a list of covered sequences, and enforcing the provisions, with penalties for violations. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on August 31, 2026, and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill text states that the requirements would take effect one year after enactment.
- Has H.R. 10197 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 10197. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 10197?
- H.R. 10197 was sponsored by Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] (R-TX), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 10197?
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (31 Aug 2026).
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