Sponsors (7)
The bill creates publicly accessible genomic resources that boost research, conservation, education, and federal science jobs, but does so at ongoing taxpayer cost and with risks to privacy, collaboration, and Tribal sovereignty that will need careful management.
Researchers, conservation managers, and park scientists gain publicly available, standardized whole‑genome data from National Park units, enabling new scientific discoveries, improved species conservation planning, and long‑term curated sample storage.
Members of the public, students, and nonprofits gain access (with privacy safeguards) to genomic data that supports education, citizen science, and responsible biodiversity use.
Federal science institutions, contractors, and related employees receive multi‑year funding and job opportunities for sequencing, storage, and data infrastructure work.
Members of the public and program administrators face potential privacy and biosecurity risks if sensitive genomic locality or pathogen-related data are mishandled despite stated safeguards.
Taxpayers will fund multi‑year appropriations costing tens of millions annually for sequencing, storage, and program operations.
Tribal communities and residents of tribal lands may face sovereignty, access, and ownership concerns about collected samples if consultation and protections are not fully addressed.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a USGS pilot to collect and whole‑genome sequence species from National Parks and build a public genomic database with data protections.
Official title: To establish the America's Living Library Project, and for other purposes.
Introduced March 5, 2026 by Ro Khanna · Last progress March 5, 2026
Creates a pilot program at the U.S. Geological Survey to collect, catalog, and whole‑genome sequence animals, plants, fungi, and microbes from selected National Park System units and to maintain a publicly accessible genomic database with appropriate protections. The measure requires interagency coordination, adherence to existing wildlife and permitting laws, integration with taxonomic services, and long‑term sample storage and stewardship.