Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 9 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to create regulations that improve nucleic acid synthesis security. It establishes screening protocols for certain sequences of concern and requires providers to verify customer identities. The legislation creates a conformity assessment system with audits and random adversarial testing to ensure compliance. It sets up a biotechnology governance sandbox environment for testing innovations and tools. Additionally, the bill directs federal officials to assess current biosecurity authorities and create a plan to make government oversight more efficient.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +6
Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak?
The bill mitigates the risk of novel pathogens with pandemic potential through enhanced nucleic acid synthesis screening.
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal authority by requiring new regulations and oversight on the private biotechnology sector.
- Scored +4
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill includes specific provisions to protect the privacy of information submitted regarding sequences of concern.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Biotechnology providers face new regulatory burdens, mandatory screening protocols, and significant potential civil penalties.
- Scored -2
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The mandate for identity verification and screening of customer orders increases monitoring of individual biological research activities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Strengthened National Security and Public Health: Section 4(a)(1) requires covered providers to implement screening protocols for sequences of concern, which helps mitigate the misuse of sequences capable of creating pathogens with pandemic potential. This protects everyday people from dangerous biological threats.
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Reduced Red Tape for Trusted Institutions: Section 4(a)(6)(A) allows covered providers to offer an expedited review process for institutional customers, such as accredited universities, that have a demonstrated record of legitimacy. This provision ensures that important academic research is not slowed down by unnecessary regulatory burdens.
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Technical Assistance for Providers: Section 4(a)(8) establishes a program to provide technical assistance upon the request of a covered provider, including help with orders that have ambiguous screening results. This support helps businesses comply with the law correctly without guessing.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Penalties for Violations: Section 4(f)(3) makes individuals and organizations liable for steep statutory damages of up to $500,000 for individuals and $750,000 for non-individuals if they violate requirements or provide false information. These large fines could severely burden or bankrupt smaller businesses or individuals who make administrative mistakes.
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Increased Regulatory Burdens on Businesses: Section 4(a)(5) creates a conformity assessment system that includes mandatory audits and random adversarial testing to ensure compliance. These strict oversight mechanisms could create extra operational hurdles and stress for companies operating in the biotechnology space.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal authority by requiring new regulations and oversight on the private biotechnology sector. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill includes exemptions from records access to protect customer information privacy.
- Healthcare
- Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak? — The bill mitigates the risk of novel pathogens with pandemic potential through enhanced nucleic acid synthesis screening.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Biotechnology providers face new regulatory burdens, mandatory screening protocols, and significant potential civil penalties.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill includes specific provisions to protect the privacy of information submitted regarding sequences of concern.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The mandate for identity verification and screening of customer orders increases monitoring of individual biological research activities.
- 9/22/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/16/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/11/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/3/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana