Panel adopts limits on use of certain foreign‑made genetic sequencers and software; AG given enforcement power

Representative Horton introduced House Bill 125 as a measure to protect human genomic information from certain foreign adversary companies and foreign state actors. After intensive stakeholder meetings with hospitals, university research centers and legal advisers, the sponsor brought a negotiated set of amendments designed to narrow the bill to human genomic information and to avoid disrupting legitimate medical research and clinical care.

The amendment package (Amendment Set 2263) clarified definitions, removed language that could unintentionally sweep in U.S. companies, tightened the definition of "foreign adversary company," limited prohibitions to specific sequencers and software produced by covered foreign adversary entities, and established that enforcement would be carried out by the Attorney General. The chair and sponsor said the amendments were negotiated with Tulane, LSU, Pennington Biomedical, the Louisiana Hospital Association and other stakeholders.

State and national security experts who had briefed lawmakers described the national‑security rationale — concerns that data processed or stored on systems controlled by certain foreign companies could be accessed under foreign law. After adopting the amendments the committee voted to report the bill favorably to the House floor.

Ending: The committee approved the narrowly tailored version of HB 125; sponsors and stakeholders said the bill attempts to balance clinical and research needs with security concerns and that the AG would enforce the law if signed by the governor.