Text of Senate Amendment 6116

Quick facts

Record: Senate Floor
Section type: Amendments
Chamber: Senate
Date: June 24, 2026
Congress: 119th Congress
Why this source matters: This section came from the Senate floor portion of the record.

Linked context

People mentioned: Paul, Rand
Committees: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Committee on Energy and Commerce

Readable version of the official text

SA 6116. Mr. PAUL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. . RISKY RESEARCH REVIEW ACT.

(a) Short Title.—This section may be cited as the “Risky

Research Review Act”.

(b) Life Sciences Research Security Board.—Subtitle V of

title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end

the following:

“CHAPTER 79—LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH SECURITY BOARD

“7901. Definitions.
“7902. Establishment and membership.
“7903. Board personnel.
“7904. Board mission and functions.
“7905. Agency procedures; referral to Board.
“7906. Board review.
“7907. GAO Audits.
“7908. Funding.

“Sec. 7901. Definitions

“In this chapter:

“(1) Agency.—The term `agency' has the meaning given the

term in section 552(f) of title 5.

“(2) Appropriate congressional committees.—The term

`appropriate congressional committees' means the Committee on

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and

the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of

Representatives.

“(3) Board.—The term `Board' means the Life Sciences

Research Security Board established under section 7902(a).

“(4) Dual use research of concern.—The term `dual use

research of concern'—

“(A) means life sciences research that, based on current

understanding, can be reasonably anticipated to provide

knowledge, information, products, or technologies that

could—

“(i) be misapplied to do harm with no modification or only

a minor modification; and

“(ii) pose a significant threat with potential

consequences to public health and safety, agricultural crops

and other plants, animals, materiel, or national security;

and

“(B) includes—

“(i) life sciences research that could—

“(I) increase transmissibility of a pathogen within or

between host species;

“(II) increase the virulence of a pathogen or convey

virulence to a non-pathogen;

“(III) increase the toxicity of a known toxin or produce a

novel toxin;

“(IV) increase—

“(aa) the stability of a pathogen or toxin in the

environment; or

“(bb) the ability to disseminate a pathogen or toxin;

“(V) alter the host range or tropism of a pathogen or

toxin;

“(VI) decrease the ability for a human or veterinary

pathogen or toxin to be detected using standard diagnostic or

analytical methods;

“(VII) increase resistance of a pathogen or toxin to

clinical or veterinary prophylactic or therapeutic

interventions;

“(VIII) alter a human or veterinary pathogen or toxin to

disrupt the effectiveness of pre-existing immunity, via

immunization or natural infection, against the pathogen or

toxin;

“(IX) enhance the susceptibility of a host population to a

pathogen or toxin;

“(X) enhance transmissibility of a pathogen in humans;

“(XI) enhance the virulence of a pathogen in humans;

“(XII) enhance the immune evasion of a pathogen in humans,

such as by modifying the pathogen to disrupt the

effectiveness of pre-existing immunity via immunization or

natural infection; or

“(XIII) generate, use, reconstitute, or transfer an

eradicated or extinct high-consequence pathogen; and

“(ii) any other category of life sciences research that

the Board, by majority vote of the members of the Board,

identifies and publishes in the Federal Register.

“(5) Employee.—The term `employee' means an individual

described in section 2105(a) of title 5.

“(6) Federal funding.—The term `Federal funding' means

amounts awarded by an agency pursuant to an intramural or

extramural grant, cooperative agreement, interagency

agreement, contract, or other instrument.

“(7) Gain of function research.—The term `gain of

function research' means a research experiment that may

enhance the transmissibility or virulence of a high-

consequence pathogen.

“(8) High-consequence pathogen.—The term `high-

consequence pathogen'—

“(A) means a wild-type or synthetic pathogen that—

“(i)(I) is likely capable of wide and uncontrollable

spread in human populations; and

“(II) would likely cause moderate to severe disease or

mortality in humans; or

“(ii) is—

“(I) subject to subparagraph (B), influenza A virus;

“(II) classified under subgenus Sarbecovirus;

“(III) classified under subgenus Merbecovirus;

“(IV) Variola orthopoxvirus;

“(V) Mpox orthopoxvirus;

“(VI) Nipah henipavirus;

“(VII) Hendra henipavirus;

“(VIII) Ebola orthoebolavirus;

“(IX) Marburg marburgvirus;

“(X) Lassa mammarenavirus;

“(XI) Junin arenavirus;

“(XII) Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever orthonairovirus;

“(XIII) Hantaan orthohantavirus;

“(XIV) Sin Nombre orthohantavirus;

“(XV) Yersinia pestis;

“(XVI) a select agent or toxin, work with which poses a

significant risk of deliberate misuse;

“(XVII) any other pathogen or category of pathogen that a

majority of members of the Board—

“(aa) identifies as a high-consequence pathogen; and

“(bb) publishes in the Federal Register; or

“(XVIII) any synthetic construct of a pathogen or category

of pathogen described in this clause; and

“(B) does not include a seasonal influenza virus, unless a

seasonal influenza virus has been manipulated to include

genetic sequences from a pathogen described in subparagraph

(A).

“(9) High-risk life sciences research.—The term `high-

risk life sciences research' means life sciences research

that is—

“(A) dual use research of concern involving a high-

consequence pathogen; or

“(B) gain of function research.

“(10) Life sciences research.—The term `life sciences

research'—

“(A) means the study or use of a living organism, a virus,

or a product of a living organism or virus; and

“(B) includes each discipline, methodology, and

application of biology, including biotechnology, genomics,

proteomics, bioinformatics, and pharmaceutical and biomedical

research and techniques.

“(11) Select agent or toxin.—The term `select agent or

toxin' means a select agent or toxin identified under—

“(A) section 73.3(b) of title 42, Code of Federal

Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of the

Risky Research Review Act;

“(B) section 331.3(b) of title 7, Code of Federal

Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of the

Risky Research Review Act; or

“(C) section 121.3(b) of title 9, Code of Federal

Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of the

Risky Research Review Act.

“Sec. 7902. Establishment and membership

“(a) Establishment.—There is established as an

independent agency within the Executive Branch a board to be

known as the `Life Sciences Research Security Board' to

review proposed Federal funding for life sciences research in

accordance with section 7906.

“(b) Appointment of Members.—

“(1) In general.—The President shall appoint, without

regard to political affiliation, 9 individuals who are

citizens of the United States to serve as members of the

Board for not more than 2 terms of 4 years each, including—

“(A) the Executive Director appointed under section

7903(a);

“(B) 5 nongovernmental scientists in a life sciences

field;

“(C) 2 nongovernmental national security experts; and

“(D) 1 nongovernmental biosafety expert.

“(2) Period for nominations.—The President shall make

appointments, other than the Executive Director, to the Board

not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this

chapter.

“(3) Considerations of recommendations.—The President

shall make appointments to the Board after considering

individuals recommended by the chair and ranking member of

the appropriate congressional committees.

“(4) Qualifications.—Individuals appointed to the Board—

“(A) shall—

“(i) be impartial individuals; and

“(ii) be distinguished individuals of high national

professional reputation in their respective fields who are

capable of exercising the independent and objective judgment

necessary to conduct an impartial assessment of the potential

risks and benefits associated with Federal funding of high-

risk life sciences research to public health and national

security; and

“(B) may not be an employee on the date of the appointment

or during the 3-year period preceding the date of the

appointment.

“(5) Limitations.—Not more than 4 concurrent members of

the Board may be an employee, a subcontractor, a previous

employee, or a previous subcontractor of—

“(A) the Department of Defense;

“(B) the Department of Homeland Security;

“(C) the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious

Diseases of the Department of Health and Human Services;

“(D) the Office of the Director of National Intelligence;

“(E) the Department of Energy.

“(6) Consideration by the senate.—

“(A) In general.—Nominations for appointment to the

Executive Director of the Board shall be referred to the

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of

the Senate for consideration.

“(B) Renomination.—A member of the Board who is

recommended to serve a second term shall be nominated for

appointment to the Board, and such nomination shall be

referred pursuant to subparagraph (A).

“(7) Vacancy.—Not later than 30 days after the date on

which a vacancy on the Board occurs, the vacancy shall be

filled in the same manner as specified for the original

appointment.

“(8) Removal.—

“(A) In general.—No member of the Board shall be removed

from office, other than by—

“(i) impeachment and conviction;

“(ii) the action of the President for inefficiency,

neglect of duty, malfeasance in office, physical disability,

mental incapacity, or any other condition that substantially

impairs the performance of the member's duties; or

“(iii) the Board in accordance with subparagraph (B).

“(B) Action by board.—If the Director of the Office of

Government Ethics determines that participation by a member

of the Board in high-risk life sciences research constitutes

a conflict of interest, the Board shall take steps to

mitigate or manage the conflict, which may include removal.

“(C) Notice of removal by president.—

“(i) In general.—In the case of the removal of a member

of the Board by the President as described in subparagraph

(A)(ii), not later than 10 days after the removal, the

President shall submit to the chair and ranking member of the

appropriate congressional committees a report specifying the

facts found and the grounds for removal.

“(ii) Publication of report.—The President shall publish

in the Federal Register each report submitted under clause

(i), except that the President may, if necessary to protect

the rights of a person named in the report or to prevent

undue interference with any pending prosecution, postpone or

refrain from publicly publishing any or all of the report

until the completion of such pending cases or pursuant to

privacy protection requirements in law.

“(c) Mandatory Conflicts of Interest Review.—

“(1) In general.—The Board, in consultation with the

Director of the Office of Government Ethics, shall—

“(A) not later than 180 days after the date of the

enactment of this chapter—

“(i) establish criteria to determine whether there is a

conflict of interest with respect to any individual appointed

to the Board, taking into consideration requirements under

Federal law relating to ethics requirements for employees;

and

“(ii) upon an appointment of a member to the Board under

subsection (a)(1) thereafter, conduct a review of each

individual nominated and appointed to the Board to ensure the

individual does not have any conflict of interest under the

criteria established pursuant to clause (i); and

“(B) periodically thereafter, conduct a review of each

individual nominated and appointed to the Board to ensure the

individual does not have any conflict of interest under the

criteria established pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) during

the term of service of the individual.

“(2) Notification.—

“(A) In general.—Not later than 3 days after the date on

which the Director of the Office of Government Ethics becomes

aware that a member of the Board possesses a potential

conflict of interest under the criteria established pursuant

to paragraph (1)(A)(i), the Director of the Office of

Government Ethics shall notify the chair and ranking member

of the appropriate congressional committees of the potential

conflict of interest.

“(B) Notification by member.—Not later than 30 days after

the date on which a member of the Board becomes aware that

another member of the Board possesses a potential conflict of

interest under the criteria established pursuant to paragraph

(1)(A)(i), the member of the Board or the Executive Director

of the Board shall notify the chair and ranking member of the

appropriate congressional committees of the potential

conflict of interest.

“(d) Security Clearances.—All members of the Board shall

be granted all the necessary security clearances and

accesses, including to relevant Presidential and department

or agency special access and compartmented access programs,

in an accelerated manner, subject to the standard procedures

for granting such clearances. All nominees for appointment to

the Board shall qualify for the necessary security clearances

and accesses prior to being considered for confirmation by

the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

of the Senate.

“(e) Participation in High-Risk Life Sciences Research.—

“(1) Disclosure required.—A member of the Board shall

disclose whether the member has participated in or is

currently participating in high-risk life sciences research.

“(2) Conflicts of interest.—

“(A) In general.—The participation in high-risk life

sciences research by a member of the Board—

“(i) shall be considered a potential conflict of interest;

and

“(ii) shall be subject to scrutiny by the Director of the

Office of Government Ethics.

“(B) Determination.—If the Director of the Office of

Government Ethics determines that participation by a member

of the Board in high-risk life sciences research constitutes

a conflict of interest, the Board shall take steps to

mitigate or manage the conflict, which may include—

“(i) the recusal of the affected member from relevant

discussions and determinations; and

“(ii) removal of the affected member from the Board.

“(f) Compensation of Members.—

“(1) In general.—Subject to such rules as may be adopted

by the Board, without regard to the provisions of chapter 51

and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5 relating to

classification and General Schedule pay rates, a member of

the Board, other than the Executive Director, shall be

compensated at a rate—

“(A) proposed by the Executive Director and approved by

the Board;

“(B) not to exceed the rate of basic pay for level II of

the Executive Schedule; and

“(C) that is commensurate with—

“(i) the time a member of the Board spends engaged in the

performance of duties on the Board; and

“(ii) necessary traveling expenses.

“(2) Outside employment.—Subject to terms and approval

determined by the Director of the Office of Government

Ethics, a member of the Board may maintain outside employment

and affiliations while serving on the Board.

“(g) Oversight.—

“(1) Senate.—The Committee on Homeland Security and

Governmental Affairs of the Senate shall—

“(A) have continuing legislative oversight jurisdiction in

the Senate with respect to the official conduct of the Board

and agency compliance with requirements issued by the Board;

and

“(B) have access to any records provided to or created by

the Board.

“(2) House of representatives.—The Committee on Energy

and Commerce of the House of Representatives shall—

“(A) have continuing legislative oversight jurisdiction in

the House of Representatives with respect to the official

conduct of the Board and agency compliance with requirements

issued by the Board; and

“(B) have access to any records provided to or created by

the Board.

“(3) Duty to cooperate.—The Board shall have the duty to

cooperate with the exercise of oversight jurisdiction

described in this subsection.

“(4) Security clearances.—The chair and ranking member of

the appropriate congressional committees, and designated

committee staff, shall be granted all security clearances and

accesses held by the Board, including to relevant

Presidential and department or agency special access and

compartmented access programs.

“(h) Office Space.—

“(1) In general.—In selecting office space for the Board,

the Board shall exhaust options for unused office spaces

owned by the Federal Government as of the date of enactment

of this chapter.

“(2) Secure office space.—

“(A) Requests.—In order to review or discuss classified

information, the Board shall request an accommodation from

relevant agencies to access sensitive compartmented

information facilities on an as-needed basis.

“(B) Fulfilment.—The head of an agency from which the

Board requests an accommodation under subparagraph (A) shall

accommodate the request in a timely manner.

“Sec. 7903. Board personnel

“(a) Executive Director.—

“(1) Appointment.—Not later than 45 days after the date

of enactment of this chapter, the President shall appoint, by

and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 1 individual

who is a citizen of the United States, without regard to

political affiliation, to the position of Executive Director

of the Board for a term of 4 years.

“(2) Qualifications.—The individual appointed as

Executive Director under paragraph (1) shall be a private

individual of integrity and impartiality who—

“(A) is a distinguished scientist in a life sciences

field; and

“(B) is not, and has not been for the 3-year period

preceding the date of the appointment—

“(i) an employee; or

“(ii) a participant in high-risk life sciences research

supported by Federal funding.

“(3) Security clearances.—

“(A) In general.—A candidate for Executive Director of

the Board shall be granted all security clearances and

accesses held by the Board, including to relevant

Presidential and department or agency special access and

compartmented access programs in an accelerated manner,

subject to the standard procedures for granting such

clearances.

“(B) Qualification prior to appointment.—The President

shall ensure that a candidate for Executive Director of the

Board qualifies for the security clearances and accesses

described in subparagraph (A) prior to appointment.

“(4) Functions.—The Executive Director of the Board

shall—

“(A) serve as principal liaison to Congress and agencies;

“(B) serve as chair of the Board;

“(C) be responsible for the administration and

coordination of the responsibilities of the Board; and

“(D) be responsible for the administration of all official

activities conducted by the Board.

“(5) Removal.—Notwithstanding section 7902(b)(8), the

Executive Director shall not be removed for reasons other

than for cause on the grounds of inefficiency, neglect of

duty, malfeasance in office, physical disability, mental

incapacity, or any other condition that substantially impairs

the performance of the responsibilities of the Executive

Director or the staff of the Board.

“(6) Terms.—An Executive Director of the Board shall not

serve more than 2 terms.

“(b) Staff.—

“(1) In general.—Without regard to the provisions of

subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5 governing appointments

in the competitive service, the Board may appoint not more

than 25 additional personnel to enable the Board and the

Executive Director to perform the duties of the Board.

“(2) Qualifications.—Each individual appointed to the

staff of the Board—

“(A) shall be a citizen of the United States of integrity

and impartiality;

“(B) shall have expertise in the life sciences field or

the national security field; and

“(C) may not be a participant in any federally funded

research activity on the date of the appointment or during

the course of service of the individual on the Board.

“(3) Security clearances.—

“(A) In general.—A candidate for appointment to the staff

of the Board shall be granted all security clearances and

accesses held by the Board, including to relevant

Presidential and department or agency special access and

compartmented access programs, in an accelerated manner,

subject to the standard procedures for granting such

clearances.

“(B) Conditional employment.—

“(i) In general.—The Board may offer conditional

employment to a candidate for a staff position of the Board

pending the completion of security clearance background

investigations. During the pendency of such investigations,

the Board shall ensure that any such employee does not have

access to, or responsibility involving, classified or

otherwise restricted materials.

“(ii) Unqualified staff.—If the Board determines that an

individual hired on a conditional basis under clause (i) is

not eligible or otherwise does not qualify for all security

clearances necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the

position for which conditional employment has been offered,

the Board shall immediately terminate the individual's

employment.

“(4) Support from agencies.—

“(A) In general.—The head of each agency shall designate

not less than 1 full-time employee of the agency as the

representative of the agency to—

“(i) provide technical assistance to the Board; and

“(ii) support the review process of the Board with respect

to the agency under section 7906 in a non-voting staff

capacity.

“(B) Prohibition.—A representative of an agency

designated under subparagraph (A) and any employee of an

agency may not directly or indirectly influence in any

capacity a determination by the Board under section 7906 with

respect to life sciences research funded by the agency.

“(c) Compensation.—Subject to such rules as may be

adopted by the Board, without regard to the provisions of

title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service and

without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter

III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification

and General Schedule pay rates, the Executive Director of the

Board shall—

“(1) be compensated at a rate not to exceed the rate of

basic pay for level II of the Executive Schedule;

“(2) serve the entire tenure as Executive Director as 1

full-time employee; and

“(3) appoint and fix the compensation of such other

personnel as may be necessary to carry out this chapter.

“Sec. 7904. Board mission and functions

“(a) Mission.—The mission of the Board shall be to issue

an independent determination as to whether an agency may

award Federal funding for proposed high-risk life sciences

research, which shall be binding upon the agency.

“(b) Powers.—The Board shall have the authority to act in

a manner to carry out the mission described in subsection

(a), including authority to—

“(1) prescribe regulations to carry out the

responsibilities of the Board;

“(2) establish a process for the review of Federal funding

for high-risk life sciences research prior to the award of

the Federal funding, which shall be binding upon an agency,

including information designated as classified or otherwise

protected from disclosure;

“(3) direct an agency to make available to the Board

additional information and records, including information

designated as classified or otherwise protected from

disclosure, that the Board determines are required to fulfill

the functions and responsibilities Board under this chapter;

“(4) review any classified research conducted or funded by

any agency to determine whether the research would be

considered high-risk life sciences research; and

“(5) through the promulgation of regulations, establish

processes, policies, and procedures of the Board for

rendering decisions under this chapter.

“(c) Initial Requirements.—The Board shall—

“(1) not later than 180 days after the date of appointment

of the initial members of the Board under section 7902,

publish procedures in the Federal Register establishing the

process for the review by the Board under section 7906;

“(2) prior to the establishment of the procedures under

paragraph (1), consult with the appropriate congressional

committees and heads of agencies for purposes of developing

such procedures; and

“(3) not later than 270 days after the date of the

enactment of this chapter, begin carrying out the duties

described in section 7906.

“(d) Responsiveness to Congress.—Notwithstanding any

other provision of law, not later than 30 days after the date

on which the Board receives a request for information from a

Member of Congress, the Board shall respond to the request.

“(e) Congressional Briefings.—Not less frequently than

quarterly, the Board shall brief the appropriate

congressional committees on the work of the Board.

“(f) Select Agent or Toxin Updates.—

“(1) In general.—Not later than 15 days after the date on

which the Board receives a notification that a select agent

or toxin has been added to a list of agent or toxins under a

regulation described in paragraph (2), the Board shall—

“(A) review the select agent or toxin;

“(B) by majority vote of members of the Board, determine

whether the select agent or toxin should be added into the

definition of `select agent or toxin' under section 7901; and

“(C) publish any addition determined under subparagraph

(B) in the Federal Register.

“(2) Regulations described.—A regulation described in

this paragraph is—

“(A) section 73.3(b) of title 42, Code of Federal

Regulations, or any successor regulation;

“(B) section 331.3(b) of title 7, Code of Federal

Regulations, or any successor regulation; and

“(C) section 121.3(b) of title 9, Code of Federal

Regulations, or any successor regulation.

“(g) Final Determination Authority.—In any dispute with

an agency or entity relating to the classification of life

sciences research under this chapter, the Board shall retain

final and ultimate authority in—

“(1) determining whether the life sciences research is

high-risk life sciences research, dual use research of

concern involving a high-consequence pathogen or gain of

function research;

“(2) interpreting definitions in section 7901; and

“(3) determining whether a proposed Federal award for life

sciences research is subject to the review process of the

Board under section 7906(a)(1).

“Sec. 7905. Agency procedures; referral to Board

“(a) In General.—

“(1) Prohibition.—The head of an agency may not award

Federal funding for—

“(A) high-risk life sciences research without approval by

the Board under section 7906(a)(1)(B); or

“(B) life sciences research if the Board, in accordance

with section 7906(a)(2)(A)(ii), submits notification to the

agency under section 7906(a)(2)(B)(i) that Board is reviewing

the Federal funding for life sciences research under section

7906(a) until the date on which the Board makes a final

determination with respect to the proposed Federal funding.

“(2) Effective date.—Paragraph (1) shall take effect on

the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this

chapter.

“(b) High-Risk Attestation; Select Agent or Toxin

Disclosure; Certification.—

“(1) In general.—An entity seeking Federal funding from

an agency for life sciences research shall, under the penalty

of perjury—

“(A) attest whether—

“(i) the life sciences research will constitute high-risk

life sciences research; and

“(ii) the entity is performing active research with a

select agent or toxin; and

“(B) if the entity makes a positive attestation under

subparagraph (A), disclose the source of funding for all

active research.

“(2) Active research with select agents or toxins.—

“(A) In general.—The head of an agency that receives a

disclosure from an entity

under paragraph (1)(B) shall submit to the Board the

disclosure.

“(B) Board inquiries.—The Board may contact an entity

that submits a disclosure under paragraph (1)(B) to request

additional information relating to the disclosure.

“(3) Agency certification.—

“(A) Positive attestations.—The head of an agency making

an award of Federal funding to an entity that makes a

positive attestation under paragraph (1)(A)(i) shall—

“(i) submit to the Board the high-risk life sciences

proposal; and

“(ii) using the process established by the head of the

agency under paragraph (4), certify the validity of the

attestation.

“(B) Negative attestations.—The head of an agency making

an award of Federal funding to an entity that makes a

negative attestation under paragraph (1)(A)(i) shall—

“(i) review the attestation; and

“(ii) using the process established by the head of the

agency under paragraph (4), certify the validity of the

attestation.

“(4) Process for review.—The head of each agency that

awards Federal funding for life sciences research, in

consultation with the Board, shall establish and implement a

process for identifying proposals from entities seeking

Federal funding for life sciences research from the agency

that will constitute high-risk life sciences research.

“(5) Maintenance of records.—The head of each agency

shall—

“(A) maintain records of the certification process

described in paragraph (3) for each application for Federal

funding in accordance with chapter 31 of title 44; and

“(B) make the records maintained under subparagraph (A)

available for audit and review upon request by the Board.

“(c) Notification.—

“(1) In general.—Not later than 30 days before the date

on which the head of an agency plans to award Federal funding

to an entity for life sciences research, the head of the

agency shall submit to the Board a notification of the

proposed Federal funding.

“(2) Contents.—The notification of Federal funding for

life sciences research required under paragraph (1) shall

include the attestation and certification required under

subsection (b).

“(3) Board requests.—

“(A) In general.—The Board may request additional

information from the head of an agency relating to a

notification submitted under paragraph (1).

“(B) Provision of information.—The head of an agency from

which the Board request additional information under

subparagraph (A) shall provide the information in a timely

manner.

“(d) Agency Procedures.—Not later than 180 days after the

date on which the Board publishes the process of the Board in

the Federal Register pursuant to section 7904(c), the head of

each agency shall publish on the website of the agency

prepayment and preaward procedures of the agency with respect

to Federal funding for life sciences research to—

“(1) guarantee that—

“(A) all high-risk life science research proposals are

referred to the Board before the award of Federal funding by

the agency;

“(B) no Federal funding for high-risk life sciences

research is awarded by the agency without approval by the

Board; and

“(C) not later than 30 days before the date on which the

head of the agency plans to award the Federal funding, the

agency notifies the Board of the proposal for Federal

funding; and

“(2) otherwise ensure compliance with this chapter.

“(e) Provision of Additional Information.—Upon request by

the Board, the head of an agency shall provide any

information relating to Federal funding awards for life

sciences research determined necessary by the Board to

provide oversight of the agency.

“(f) Change in Circumstances During Research.—If, during

the course of life sciences research in progress performed by

an entity supported by Federal funding from an agency,

circumstances arise such that the life sciences research in

progress may constitute high-risk life sciences research in

contravention to the attestation of the entity under

subsection (b)(1)(A)(i)—

“(1) the entity shall—

“(A) not later than 24 hours after the identification of

the change in circumstance, pause the life sciences research

in progress; and

“(B) not later than 5 days after the date of the

identification of the change in circumstance, submit to the

head of the agency a written notification through an

electronic or nonelectronic communication method that—

“(i) notifies the head of the agency of the possibility

that the life sciences research in progress may constitute

high-risk life sciences research; and

“(ii) includes a detailed description of each change in

circumstance that may transform the life sciences research in

progress into high-risk life sciences research; and

“(2) the head of the agency shall—

“(A) using the process of the agency established under

subsection (b)(4), determine whether the life sciences

research in progress constitutes high-risk life sciences

research;

“(B) if the head of the agency makes a negative

determination under subparagraph (A), inform the entity that

the entity may resume the life sciences research in progress;

and

“(C) if the head of the agency makes a positive

determination under subparagraph (A), immediately submit to

the Board a notification of the Federal funding of high-risk

life sciences research in progress for review under section

7906(a)(1).

“(g) Enforcement.—

“(1) Applicant requirements.—If an entity seeking or

receiving Federal funding from an agency knowingly fails to

make a true attestation under subsection (b)(1) or promptly

notify the agency of a change in circumstance in accordance

with subsection (f)(1), the head of the agency shall refer

the entity to the appropriate entity for suspension and

debarment proceedings relating to the receipt of Federal

funding.

“(2) Referral to inspector general.—The Board shall refer

any employee of an agency responsible for overseeing and

reviewing research proposals relating to Federal funding that

knowingly fails to comply with subsection (b)(3) to the

inspector general of the agency.

“(3) Employee discipline.—

“(A) In general.—The head of an agency employing an

employee who knowingly violates any provision of subsection

(b)(3) (or, in the case of the head of an agency who violates

any provision of subsection (b)(3), the President) shall

impose on that employee—

“(i) disciplinary action in accordance with chapter 75 of

title 5 or an equivalent procedure of the agency; and

“(ii) permanent revocation of any applicable security

clearance held by the employee.

“(B) Contractor penalty.—In the case of contractor

working under a contract with an agency who knowingly

violates subsection (b)(1), the head of the agency shall

refer the contractor to the appropriate entity for suspension

and debarment proceedings relating to the receipt of Federal

funding.

“(C) Employee discipline reports.—

“(i) In general.—Not later than 360 days after the date

of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once

every 90 days thereafter, the head of each agency shall

submit to the Board and the appropriate congressional

committees a report that discloses, for the period covered by

the report, each violation by an employee of the agency of

subsection (b)(3).

“(ii) Contents.—Each report submitted under clause (i)

shall include, with respect to a violation described in that

clause—

“(I) the name and professional title of each employee

engaged in the violation;

“(II) a detailed explanation of the nature of the

violation; and

“(III) the date of the violation.

“(iii) Publication.—Not later than 5 days after the date

on which the Board receives a report under clause (i), the

Board shall publish on a publicly accessible and searchable

website the amount of violations that have been committed

under clause (i).

“(h) Subaward and Subcontractor Disclosure.—

“(1) In general.—During the course of high-risk life

sciences research in progress performed by an entity

supported by Federal funding from an agency, the entity

shall—

“(A) continuously disclose to the head of the agency any

subcontracts or subawards made or planned to be made with the

Federal funding; and

“(B) obtain consent from the head of the agency before

awarding a subcontract or award described in subparagraph

(A).

“(2) Agency submission.—Not later than 30 days after the

date on which the head of an agency receives a disclosure

under paragraph (1), the head of the agency shall submit to

the Board the disclosure.

“(3) Board inquiries.—

“(A) In general.—The Board may contact an entity that

submits a disclosure under paragraph (1) to request

additional information relating to the disclosure.

“(B) Access to reports.—During the course of high-risk

life sciences research in progress performed by an entity

supported by Federal funding from an agency, upon request,

the Board shall have access to every annual report of—

“(i) the agency;

“(ii) the entity performing the high-risk life sciences

research; and

“(iii) any subcontractor or subawardee of an entity

described in clause (ii).

“Sec. 7906. Board review

“(a) In General.—

“(1) High-risk life sciences research.—Not later than 120

days after the date on which the Board receives a

notification from an agency under section 7905(c) relating to

proposed Federal funding for life sciences research that

constitutes high-risk life sciences research or the Board

receives a notification from an agency under section

7905(f)(2)(C) relating to Federal funding of research in

progress that constitutes high-risk life sciences research,

the Board shall—

“(A) review the proposed Federal funding or high-risk life

sciences research in progress;

“(B) by a majority vote, determine whether the agency may

award the proposed Federal funding or continue to award the

Federal funding for the high-risk life sciences research in

progress; and

“(C) by a majority vote, determine with respect to the

high-risk life sciences research funded by the proposed

Federal funding or Federal funding for high-risk life

sciences research in progress—

“(i) the minimum required biosafety containment level,

engineering controls, and operational controls;

“(ii) the minimum required biosecurity engineering

controls and operational controls; and

“(iii) the minimum required personnel assurance controls.

“(2) Proposed life sciences research.—

“(A) In general.—With respect to proposed Federal funding

by an agency for life sciences research, the Board may—

“(i) review the proposed Federal funding; and

“(ii) determine whether the Board should review the

proposed Federal funding in accordance with paragraph (1).

“(B) Notification.—If the Board makes a positive

determination under subparagraph (A)(ii) with respect to

proposed Federal funding by an agency—

“(i) the Board shall notify the head of the agency; and

“(ii) the head of the agency may not award the proposed

Federal funding until the date on which the Board makes a

final determination with respect to the proposed Federal

funding under paragraph (1).

“(3) Past funding.—With respect to life sciences research

performed with Federal funding awarded by an agency before

the date of enactment of this chapter, the Board may review

and audit the research in order to assess the compliance of

the agency with the provisions of this chapter.

“(4) Ongoing funding for life sciences research.—With

respect to Federal funding for life sciences research in

progress awarded by an agency before the date of enactment of

this Act that the Board determines may constitute high-risk

life sciences research, the Board may—

“(A) direct the agency to temporarily suspend the Federal

funding;

“(B) require the agency to provide complete information on

the Federal funding in order for the Board to complete a

review of the life sciences research under paragraph (1); and

“(C) by a majority vote of members of the Board, determine

whether the agency may continue the Federal funding.

“(b) Considerations.—

“(1) In general.—In making a determination under

subsection (a)(1)(B), the Board shall consider, with respect

to the high-risk life sciences research that will be

conducted with the proposed Federal funding or high-risk life

sciences research in progress—

“(A) whether the research poses a threat to public health;

“(B) whether the research poses a threat to public safety;

“(C) whether the research has a high probability of

producing benefits for public health;

“(D) whether the research poses a threat to large

populations of animals and plants;

“(E) whether the research poses a threat to national

security;

“(F) whether the research is proposed to be conducted in

whole or at least in part in a foreign country;

“(G) the reasonably anticipated material risks of the

research;

“(H) the reasonably anticipated information risks of the

research;

“(I) the reasonably anticipated benefits of the research;

“(J) whether the reasonably anticipated benefits of the

research outweigh the reasonably anticipated risks; and

“(K) whether the benefits of the research could be

obtained through procedures posing lower risks.

“(2) Weight of factors.—The presence or absence of any

factor under paragraph (1) shall not be decisive with respect

to the determination of the Board under subsection (a)(1)(B).

“(c) Notice Following Review and Determination.—

“(1) Agency notification.—Not later than 5 days after the

date on which the Board makes a determination under

subsection (a)(1)(B) with respect to Federal funding by an

agency, the Executive Director of the Board shall notify the

head of the agency of the determination.

“(2) Board consultation.—

“(A) In general.—Not later than 10 days after receiving a

notification from the Board under paragraph (1), the head of

an agency may request a meeting with the Board to discuss the

determination of the Board.

“(B) Board response.—The Board shall schedule a meeting

requested by the head of an agency under subparagraph (A) in

a timely manner.

“(3) Notification to appropriate congressional

committees.—If the Board determines that the head of an

agency may not proceed with an award of proposed Federal

funding under this section, the Executive Director of the

Board shall notify the appropriate congressional committees

when the Board notifies the head of the agency.

“(d) Request for Expedited Review.—

“(1) Definition.—In this subsection, the term `emergency

research' means high-risk life sciences research submitted to

the Board that relates to a public health emergency or

addresses a specific national security concern.

“(2) Request; notification.—The head of an agency seeking

expedited review from the Board to award Federal funding for

emergency research shall—

“(A) include a request for expedited review in the

notification required under section 7905(c); and

“(B) on the date of the notification described in

subparagraph (A), submit to the Board and the appropriate

congressional committees a notification that explains why the

specific public health emergency or national security concern

necessitates expedited review under this subsection.

“(3) Internal process.—The Board shall establish an

internal process under which the Board will give proposed

emergency research expedited review under this section.

“(4) Temporary emergency research.—If the Board does not

notify the head of an agency with a determination under

subsection (a)(1)(B) with respect to proposed emergency

research by the 15 days after the date on which the head of

the agency submits a request under paragraph (2)(A), the head

of the agency may award Federal funding for the emergency

research on a temporary basis.

“(e) Scientific Expert Panels.—

“(1) In general.—The Board may establish a scientific

panel of nongovernmental experts to advise the Board in the

review by the Board of life sciences research pursuant to

this chapter.

“(2) Policies and procedures.—The Board shall establish

and publish in the Federal Register procedures and policies

relating to conflicts of interest, recusal, expertise, and

related matters before the establishment of the panel

described in paragraph (1).

“(3) Prohibition.—An individual serving on the panel

established under paragraph (1) may not advise the Board on

any matter with respect to which the individuals has an

identified or perceived conflict of interest.

“(4) Report.—

“(A) In general.—Not later than 30 days after the date on

which the Board establishes a panel established under

paragraph (1), the Board shall submit to the appropriate

congressional committees a report that includes the names,

qualifications, and any identified or perceived conflicts of

interest of individuals who serve on the panel.

“(B) Panel changes.—Upon a change of personnel on the

panel established under paragraph (1), the Board shall

immediately submit to the appropriate congressional

committees an update to the report required under

subparagraph (A).

“(f) Report.—

“(1) In general.—Not later than 360 days after the date

on which the Board establishes the panel described in

subsection (e)(1), and annually thereafter, the Board shall

submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report,

which shall include a classified annex, summarizing, with

respect to each determination by the Board under this section

relating to high-risk life sciences research—

“(A) the findings of the Board;

“(B) the determination of the Board;

“(C) the name and location of the entity proposing the

life sciences research;

“(D) the name and location of any recipient of a subaward

or subcontractor of an entity proposing life sciences

research and the nature of the participation of such a

recipient or subcontractor; and

“(E) an account of significant challenges or problems,

including procedural or substantive challenges or problems,

that arise during the course of the work of the Board,

including the views of any member of the Board who wishes to

have those views included in the report.

“(2) Public report.—On the date on which the Board

submits a report required under paragraph (1), the Board

shall make the report, other than the classified annex

included in the report, available on a website.

“(g) Effective Date.—This section shall take effect on

the date that is 270 days after the date of enactment of this

chapter.

“Sec. 7907. GAO Audits

“The Comptroller General of the United States shall

periodically audit the Board.

“Sec. 7908. Funding

“There is authorized to be appropriated to the Board to

carry out this chapter $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years

2026 through 2035.”.

V of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at

the end the following:

“79. Life Sciences Research Security Board................7901”.....

(d) Financial Disclosure Reports of Board Members.—Section

13103(f) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (11), by striking “and” at the end;

(2) in paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end

and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

“(13) a member of the Life Sciences Research Security

Board established under section 7902 of title 31.”.

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