America’s Living Library Act

This bill establishes a pilot program called the America's Living Library Project within the Department of the Interior to collect new genomic data from species found in units of the National Park System. The program involves interagency coordination, a program office, selection of park units, data standards, sample storage, tribal consultation, and reporting requirements, with authorized funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and termination after 10 years.

Sec. 2, America's Living Library Project: The Secretary of the Interior must establish a pilot program to collect, catalog, and whole-genome sequence samples from animals, plants, fungi, and microbes in selected National Park System units. The program must coordinate with multiple federal agencies, create a public genomic database (withholding personal and sensitive location information), and ensure long-term sample storage.

Sec. 2(e), Establishment of Program Office: The Secretary must create or designate an office within the U.S. Geological Survey to administer the program, with authority to enter contracts, receive in-kind contributions from biotechnology companies (limited to resources like sequencing), and use other federal agencies' services with consent.

Sec. 2(f), Selection of Units of the National Park System: Within 180 days, the Secretary must select 5 initial park units based on criteria including biological landscape, feasibility, education opportunities, research value, and geographic diversity. Within 2 years, an additional 20 units must be selected, with public notice of selections.

Sec. 2(g), Program Requirements: The Secretary must ensure data standards (including cybersecurity), consult on long-term sample storage (with ownership not transferred, samples housed at Smithsonian or USDA, and restrictions on export), establish sampling procedures, and partner for sequencing and data processing.

Sec. 2(h), Tribal Consultation: The Secretary must consult with Indian Tribes as required by law.

Sec. 2(i), Implementation Plan: Within 180 days, the Secretary must submit a plan to Congress covering expansion to additional park units, potential expansion to other federal lands, and expedited access pathways for AI model development limited to U.S. entities not controlled by foreign entities of concern.

Sec. 2(j), Reports: A preliminary report with findings and a funding plan (including a graduated subscription model and partnerships) is due within 3 years. A final report is due after program termination.

Sec. 2(k), Program Funding: Authorized appropriations total $16.5 million for FY2027-2028, $36 million for FY2029, and $54 million for FY2030-2031 for program oversight; plus separate amounts for sample storage at the Smithsonian, USDA's National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, USDA's National Animal Germplasm Program, and data storage at NIH's National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Sec. 2(l), Termination of Authority: The program authority terminates 10 years after enactment.