Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act

H.R. 3029 would authorize $5 million annually from 2026 through 2030 for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop technical standards and best practices for nucleic acid synthesis and screening. Nucleic acids like DNA and RNA are commonly used in advanced biotech research for treating diseases, developing vaccines, and other scientific purposes. The bill aims to establish a public-private consortium bringing together industry experts and stakeholders to create consistent security screening protocols and risk management strategies for engineering biology and biomanufacturing.

The bill addresses a gap in current biosecurity practices by standardizing how researchers and companies screen synthetic nucleic acids to prevent misuse. It supports voluntary, industry-driven standards rather than imposing new regulations. If enacted, the bill would help universities, biotechnology companies, and research institutions follow consistent safety protocols when working with nucleic acids, while positioning the United States as a leader in secure biotechnology innovation. The bill passed its House committee on a bipartisan basis and is now eligible for a full House floor vote.