H.R. 3029 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Jul 20, 2026. Received Jul 21, 2026; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summarySets biosecurity standards for gene synthesis
This bill asks the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop best practices and technical standards for nucleic acid synthesis—the process of designing and creating custom DNA and RNA. The work focuses on security measures like screening, preventing misuse, and making sure providers follow safety protocols. NIST would also bring together experts from the field to agree on priorities and update these standards over time.
How it affects you
This doesn't directly affect most people in daily life. It mainly shapes how companies and labs that work with nucleic acid synthesis operate behind the scenes. The standards aim to reduce risks that synthetic biology poses, which could eventually make medications and agricultural products safer, but the bill is focused on establishing the technical guidelines that institutions follow rather than changing anything you'd notice immediately.
Read the official summary (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.
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. 3029
AN ACT
Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act
To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic acid screening, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR-6) · Introduced Apr 28, 2025 · Science, Technology, Communications · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 21, 2026: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.”