To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic acid screening, and for other purposes.
HR 3029, the Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act, directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop new screening standards for synthetic DNA and RNA production to prevent misuse. It requires NIST to research improved testing accuracy, security protocols for sequence databases, and technical guidance for screening tools, with a stakeholder consortium including industry and researchers to set priorities. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030) for NIST to carry out this work and mandates a report to Congress within 18 months of the first consortium meeting. This directly affects biotechnology companies, research institutions, and labs producing synthetic genetic materials by establishing new biosecurity screening requirements.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Jul 2026
House Passage
Jul 2026
Senate Passage
President
Introduced Apr 28, 2025
Last action Jul 21, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced in House
→
Engrossed in House
·
1 edit
·
Jul 20, 2026
MINOR
The Engrossed version of HR 3029 shifts the authorization of appropriations for NIST nucleic acid synthesis screening activities from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fiscal years 2027 through 2031, delaying the funding window by one year. The annual amount of $5 million and total five-year authorization remain unchanged. All other differences between versions are formatting adjustments (trailing spaces and blank lines).
FISCAL
The fiscal year range for the $5 million annual NIST appropriation was changed from 2026-2030 to 2027-2031, pushing the start of funding one year later while keeping the same total five-year period and annual amount.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Jul 21, 2026
Committee
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
upper
Jul 20, 2026
Introduced
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4666)
lower
Jul 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4666)
lower
Jul 20, 2026
Introduced
Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
lower
Jul 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 119-751.
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Andrea Salinas
DDemocratic
Co
Josh Riley
DDemocratic
Co
Richard McCormick
RRepublican
Co
Sarah McBride
DDemocratic
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