Summary
Starts a national program to bring together government agencies to support and manage biotechnology for national security and economic growth.
What problem does this solve?
The U.S. lacks a coordinated national strategy for biotechnology, which can slow down progress and hurt competitiveness. This bill creates a central office and plan to guide federal efforts, making the U.S. a leader in the field.
Who does this affect?
- Federal government agencies
- Biotechnology industry
- Scientific researchers
What does this bill do?
Creates a national biotechnology initiative
Establishes the National Biotechnology Initiative to advance national security and economic growth by coordinating federal biotechnology activities.
Establishes a new coordination office
Creates the National Biotechnology Coordination Office within the President's office to manage the initiative and advise the President on biotechnology.
Forms an interagency committee
Requires the President to create a committee with members from various federal agencies to coordinate activities and oversee the initiative.
Develops a national strategy
Requires the new office and committee to create and update a national biotechnology strategy every five years to set goals and priorities.
Funds the initiative
Authorizes over $130 million from 2026 to 2030 to fund the administration and support of the National Biotechnology Coordination Office.
Simplifies regulations
Directs the new office to work on making regulations for biotechnology products clearer and easier to navigate, especially for products that are well-understood.
Launches a central website
Mandates the creation of a single federal website for the public, innovators, and policymakers to find information about biotechnology and government activities.
Focuses on workforce development
Coordinates efforts to develop a domestic workforce for biotechnology through education, training programs, and curriculum development.
Sets a 20-year lifespan for the office
Specifies that the National Biotechnology Coordination Office will wind down its activities after 20 years and transition to a supporting role.
What is the real world impact?
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Strengthens U.S. leadership in biotechnology
Creates a coordinated national strategy to ensure the United States remains a global leader in biotechnology research, development, and manufacturing, preventing other countries from getting ahead.
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Boosts the economy and creates jobs
Supports the growth of the biotechnology industry by making it easier to turn research into commercial products, which can create new jobs and strengthen the economy.
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Protects national security
Addresses threats from other countries using biotechnology against the U.S. It also aims to secure the nation's biological data and supply chains from foreign adversaries.
When does this start?
This bill sets several deadlines for different actions to be completed after it becomes law.
Establishment of coordinating bodies
Within 180 days of the law's passage, the President must create the Interagency Committee and the National Biotechnology Coordination Office, and appoint its Director.
Regulatory streamlining plan
A plan to make regulations for biotechnology products simpler must be developed and made public within one year of the law's passage.
Public website launch
A single, coordinated federal website for biotechnology must be developed and published for the public within 540 days of the law's passage.
First annual report
The first annual report on the initiative's progress must be submitted to Congress within one year of the law's passage.
First national strategy
A comprehensive national strategy for biotechnology must be made public and submitted to Congress within two years of the law's passage.
Government review
The Comptroller General must begin a review of the initiative's effectiveness within three years of the law's passage.
Office wind-down
The National Biotechnology Coordination Office will begin to wind down its activities 20 years after the law is passed.