Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act of 2026

This bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to create regulations for nucleic acid synthesis security and establishes a biotechnology governance sandbox. It defines key terms, mandates screening protocols for synthetic nucleic acids and equipment, and sets up a system for oversight and enforcement.

Sec. 2, Definitions: Defines a "covered provider" as anyone who synthesizes and sells synthetic nucleic acids in the U.S., or produces and sells equipment for synthesizing nucleic acids, including benchtop synthesizers. Also defines the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology.

Sec. 4, Nucleic acid synthesis security: Requires the Secretary, within one year, to issue regulations for covered providers to screen orders for sequences of concern and verify customer identities. The Secretary must maintain a list of sequences of concern, update it regularly, and create a conformity assessment system with audits and red-teaming. Regulations must avoid unnecessary burden on innovation, and federal fund recipients can only buy from compliant providers. The Attorney General can enforce violations with civil penalties up to $500,000 for individuals and $750,000 for others, adjusted for inflation. The Secretary reports annually to Congress.

Sec. 5, Establishment of biotechnology governance sandbox: Requires the Under Secretary, within one year, to create a biotechnology governance sandbox for secure testing of biosecurity and biosafety innovations. This includes fostering nongovernmental expert participation, carrying out biological measurement research, and reporting annually on promising governance strategies.

Sec. 6, Streamlining biosecurity and biosafety authorities: Requires the Director, within 90 days, to assess current federal biosecurity and biosafety oversight and develop an implementation plan to make it more effective. The assessment must include an accounting of authorities, stakeholder engagement, and identification of gaps. The Director reports to Congress and begins implementing the plan within 90 days of completion.