H.R. 1864 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Mar 5, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryCreates board to review risky life sciences research
This bill sets up a new independent board called the Life Sciences Research Security Board to review federal funding for high-risk life sciences research—studies that could potentially be misused to harm people or make dangerous pathogens more transmissible or deadly. Any organization seeking federal money for this kind of research has to say whether their work is high-risk, and federal agencies have to verify these statements and send proposed research to the board for approval. The board decides whether the benefits outweigh the risks and can require safety controls on any funded research.
How it affects you
If you work at a university, research institution, or company doing life sciences research that receives federal funding, this affects you directly. You'll need to honestly identify whether your research is high-risk and follow whatever safety requirements the board sets. For most people, this bill is designed to add a safety layer to make sure dangerous research doesn't accidentally get misused to cause harm.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 5, 2025)
Risky Research Review Act
This bill establishes the Life Sciences Research Security Board to oversee the award of federal funding for high-risk life sciences research. High-risk life sciences research means the study of an organism, virus, or related product that could be misapplied to pose a significant threat to the public or could enhance the transmissibility or virulence of certain high-risk pathogens (e.g., Ebola).
Specifically, the bill establishes the board as an independent agency that must review proposed high-risk life sciences research, determine whether a federal agency may award funding for the research, and determine minimum required controls for funded research. Entities that are seeking federal funding must attest to whether their research is high-risk life sciences research. Agencies must certify the validity of these attestations and submit proposed high-risk life sciences research to the board. Agencies must also notify the board of intended awards for other life sciences research for potential review.
In making its determinations, the board must consider specified factors, including whether the benefits of the research outweigh the risks. The bill prohibits agencies from awarding federal funding for high-risk life sciences research without approval of the board or for life sciences research currently under board review. The board may also review awards that were made before the bill’s enactment.
Entities that fail to properly attest to the nature of their research may lose their eligibility for funding. Additionally, agency employees who fail to comply with the bill's requirements are subject to disciplinary action.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1864
A BILL
Risky Research Review Act
Sponsor: Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA-9) · Introduced Mar 5, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 5, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”