Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act of 2026

The Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act would establish a federal framework to improve oversight of biotechnology and genetic research. The bill would require the Secretary of Commerce to create regulations that mandate gene synthesis providers screen their orders and customers to prevent dangerous biological sequences from being obtained by bad actors or those seeking to create harmful pathogens. The bill would also direct the White House to conduct a comprehensive assessment within 90 days of how federal biosecurity oversight is currently organized across multiple agencies, identify gaps and inefficiencies, and develop a plan to streamline and strengthen this oversight.

Additionally, the bill would establish a biotechnology governance sandbox at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide a secure testing environment for new biosecurity tools and innovations. This sandbox would allow government, industry, and academic experts to collaborate on developing flexible biosecurity standards that can keep pace with rapid advances in biotechnology. The bill aims to balance national security and public health protections with maintaining American competitiveness in the biotechnology industry. The legislation is bipartisan, sponsored by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.