Sponsors (10)
The bill builds a U.S.-controlled public genomic resource that boosts research, conservation, and federal capacity, but increases federal spending and raises risks to international collaboration, Indigenous sovereignty, access costs for private users, and potential conflicts of interest.
Researchers, conservation managers, and educators gain a publicly available, standardized genomic database for National Park species, improving research, monitoring, and classroom resources.
Sensitive site coordinates and personnel PII will be withheld from public release, reducing risk to protected locations and people involved in collections.
The program requires that physical samples and core data processing/storage remain in U.S. facilities and prohibits sample export, keeping control of samples and data under domestic oversight.
Taxpayers will fund multi-year appropriations for the program and storage grants, increasing federal spending.
Collecting genomic data on tribal lands or resources without adequate consultation could harm Indigenous sovereignty and trust, raising rights and cultural-heritage concerns.
Restrictions on foreign access and the prohibition on exporting samples may limit international scientific collaboration and data-sharing with foreign researchers.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a USGS-administered pilot to collect, sequence, and publicly store genomic data and biological samples from species in National Park System units, with interagency coordination and legal compliance.
Introduced March 5, 2026 by Todd Young · Last progress March 5, 2026
Creates a new pilot program at the Department of the Interior (administered through the U.S. Geological Survey) to collect biological samples from species found in National Park System units, produce whole-genome sequences, and maintain long-term storage of samples and a public genomic database. The program will integrate established taxonomic resources, with protections for sensitive location data and personally identifiable information, and must follow existing permitting and wildlife protection laws. Requires interagency coordination with other federal scientific and land-management agencies and the Smithsonian; defines key terms such as high-priority species, foreign entity of concern, and Indian Tribe; and directs that sequencing, cataloging, and data-sharing follow legal and permitting requirements. Funding amounts and an explicit timeline are not specified in the provided text.