House passes bill to block foreign-adversary genomic equipment and software in Louisiana research and medical facilities

The Louisiana House passed House Bill 1 25, the Louisiana Genomic Security Act of 2025, on a 79-14 roll-call, after floor debate and amendments that narrowed the bill—s requirements.

The sponsor, Representative Horton, told the House the measure "aims to safeguard individuals' genomic information from access by our foreign adversaries," and said the bill would prohibit medical and genomic research facilities from using sequencing hardware or operational research software produced by specified foreign adversaries or their affiliates. On the floor Horton cited federal concerns, including notes from the FBI and the National Academy of Sciences, and framed the bill as aligning state protections with federal sanctions already in place.

Floor debate focused on scope and implementation. Horton offered and the House adopted amendments requested by the Louisiana Hospital Association and others that removed a clause requiring facilities to replace existing sequencers and researcher software. The sponsor said the bill is prospective and would not force medical facilities to rip-and-replace current equipment.

Members questioned the prevalence of foreign-made equipment in U.S. labs and whether the provision would hinder research. Horton said a dominant U.S.-based sequencer manufacturer has a presence in China and warned of data-sharing arrangements that could give foreign actors access to genomic data; she referenced federal reports raising intelligence concerns. Members asked whether the attorney general or other state agencies would be responsible for enforcement; the sponsor said enforcement would focus on U.S.-based entities that violate the statute and that the Attorney General did not raise objections in committee.

The bill—s floor amendments limited the original text in two ways: they removed a requirement that facilities immediately replace existing sequencing devices and they adjusted enforcement language to limit penalties to in-state entities that acquired prohibited technology after the effective date. After debate the House voted 79 yays to 14 nays to pass the bill.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the bill protects sensitive genetic information that could be used by foreign adversaries for economic or strategic purposes. Opponents and questioners on the floor pressed on the bill—s potential to slow research, implications for university laboratories and hospitals, and whether federal-level action would be a better venue for the policy.

What comes next: With House passage, the bill proceeds to the Senate. Several amendments were adopted that narrow immediate compliance obligations; if enacted the state would need to work with research institutions and hospitals on implementation guidance and enforcement protocols.