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Senate committee unanimously reports Louisiana Genomic Security Act amid national-security concerns
Summary
Lawmakers voted to report House Bill 125, the Louisiana Genomic Security Act of 2025, after testimony that it would align state policy with federal steps to block certain foreign-controlled genomic technologies and protect residents' genetic data.
Representative Horton presented House Bill 125 as legislation to safeguard Louisiana residents' genomic information from access or misuse by foreign adversaries, particularly technologies and services linked to entities identified by federal sanctions. The sponsor said the bill clarifies restrictions on the use of certain genetic sequencers and related software in Louisiana to protect privacy and national security.
Kelly Curry of State Armour, who testified in support, described international risks tied to foreign actors collecting genomic data and argued that the Chinese biotechnology firm BGI Group and similar entities have sought to amass diverse genetic datasets globally. "China views biotechnology in particular as the next industrial revolution," Curry testified, and said some foreign commercial actors are supported by their governments in ways that raise national-security concerns.
Committee members and the sponsor said an amendment was supplied and agreed with working groups and the governor's office to clarify intent and make the text germane to an existing cancer access network provision. Senator Alon moved the bill out favorably as amended; the committee recorded no objections and the measure was reported by the committee.
The committee record shows the bill would direct state agencies to limit the use of certain devices and software identified as controlled or sanctioned for use by foreign adversaries and to align state policy with federal sanctions and directives. Where federal agencies have acted (Department of Commerce, Department of Defense), sponsors said state alignment ensures consistency with national measures while preventing unauthorized access to resident genomic data.
The committee did not debate implementing regulations in detail; sponsors said operational details would be handled by the relevant agencies and that the amendment was intended to narrow and clarify the bill for medical research collaborations such as the Louisiana Cancer Access Network.
