Committee advances Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act to authorize NIST-led standards effort

The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology voted to favorably report HR 3029, the Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act, a bipartisan measure authorizing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate measurement research and lead consensus-driven standards development for screening synthetic nucleic acids.

Sponsor Representative Salinas said the bill would enable a public‑private consortium to develop technical standards and best practices for screening DNA and RNA sequences produced by commercial manufacturers. “This bill authorizes NIST to carry out measurement research and lead consensus driven standards development to minimize risks while preserving users access to these valuable research tools,” Representative Salinas said during the markup. She cited local companies such as Twist Bioscience in her district as examples of commercial capacity that the standards process would engage.

Members on both sides of the aisle praised the standards approach; the ranking member said technical standards are preferable to licensing approaches for fostering innovation while managing risk. No amendments were prefiled. Chairman Babin moved that the committee report HR 3029 to the House with a favorable recommendation; the motion carried by voice vote and the bill was ordered favorably reported without objection. The transcript includes member concerns about recent staffing reductions at NIST and NSF and notes those concerns could affect implementation capacity; the bill does not include appropriations in committee discussion.