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House Energy amends, advances Montana Genomic Security Act; requires registration of genetic sequencers
Summary
The committee amended Senate Bill 410 to add registration requirements for genetic sequencers and sequencing software and approved the amended bill for the House. The amendment passed unanimously; members debated the scope of registration and potential impacts on private labs and vendors.
Chair Perry opened consideration of Senate Bill 410, the Montana Genomic Security Act, saying the committee would consider amendments and the bill’s intent. "This is the Montana Genomic Security Act," staff member Burns told the committee, summarizing the bill as "prohibiting medical and research facilities in the state from using a genetic sequencers genetic sequencing software produced by a foreign adversary," requiring written consent for remote access, and adding storage and registration requirements.
The committee adopted an amendment (SB0410.001.002) offered by Representative Griffith that cleared technical language and—by later addition—narrowed the law’s focus toward devices linked to foreign adversaries. "The sponsor and I worked together on this amendment," Griffith said, and added that she planned a further clarification to add the phrase "foreign adversary" so the registration requirement would not sweep in ordinary, domestically sourced lab equipment. "I will be bringing an amendment to add to line 23 and 24, the word foreign adversary to each of those," Griffith said.
Members raised concerns about the amendment’s breadth and enforcement. Representative Carter warned a broad registration requirement could include private companies and university labs and ‘‘cast a super wide net’’ that might provoke pushback on the House floor. "My view is that on the house floor, when we're gonna tell private companies that are doing private things that you have to register your private tools with a state or government, there's gonna be a lot of pushback on that," Carter said, urging a narrower focus tied to procurement or supply-chain risk.
The amendment passed on a recorded count of 14 ayes and 0 noes. The committee then voted to concur in the bill as amended by voice vote; members indicated the amended SB 410 will move to the House as amended. Representative Griffith agreed to carry the bill on the floor unless another member volunteers.
Why it matters: The bill would require facilities that use certain genetic sequencing products or operational research software to register details including location of sequencers, where products are produced, and ownership or control of producing entities. Supporters said registration provides supply-chain visibility and data-security checks; critics warned about scope and enforcement against ordinary research and private labs.
The committee record shows the amendment package removed a standalone legislative intent statement and struck an effect date tied to a federal regulation, replacing section language with the new registration requirement.
Votes at a glance: Amendment SB0410.001.002 — passed, 14-0; concurrence on SB 410 as amended — voice vote in favor, bill moves to the House.
Provenance: Committee staff described the bill and the amendment during the hearing; Representative Griffith and Representative Carter discussed scope and implementation, and the committee voted on the amendment and the amended bill.
