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H.R. 3029119th CongressPassed one chamberLatest action Jul 21, 2026Decoded by AI · checked against the record
Official title: To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic acid screening, and for other purposes.
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govThe plain-language version leads. The official text is always the reference.
NIST would get $5 million yearly through 2030 to build tools that screen synthetic DNA/RNA orders for bioweapon risks.
40-second read · 5 questions answered below
The bill directs NIST to research and develop testing methods, best practices, and technical standards for screening custom-ordered synthetic DNA and RNA to catch dangerous sequences before production. It also requires NIST to address risks from AI used in biological engineering, and to convene industry, academic, and nonprofit stakeholders who must report shared priorities to Congress within 18 months of their first meeting.
This affects companies that synthesize DNA/RNA for customers, research institutions, biotechnology firms, and federal biosecurity agencies.
The screening standards are meant to reduce the risk that genetic synthesis technology is misused to create bioweapons or other biological threats, while research and medical use continues.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it. Read the official bill on Congress.gov
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.