AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act
Sponsored By: Senator Todd Young
Introduced
Summary
AI-ready biological data standards would be set so biological datasets from certain federally funded research can be used to train AI and advance biotechnology. The bill would also require agency policies, a public database of AI-ready datasets, and an advisory group to test and refine the rules.
Show full summary
- Researchers and research institutions would need to collect, clean, curate, and share datasets that meet the AI-ready definition, including relevant "negative data". NIST would establish definitions and technical standards within 2 years.
- Federal agencies that fund qualifying research would have to adopt agency-specific data management policies, designate a Chief Data Officer to oversee compliance, and provide funding mechanisms so recipients can meet the requirements.
- NIST would create a central, publicly accessible repository of AI-ready biological datasets, form an advisory group within 180 days with at least 12 members to guide standards, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council would update procurement rules to implement the definitions and standards.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Agency rules and funding for AI data
This bill would require each federal agency that funds qualified research to adopt data policies within 2 years that make biological datasets AI‑ready. Agency policies would have to include a way to provide sufficient federal funding so recipients can meet the rules and a named compliance lead. The Federal Acquisition Regulation would be updated so contractors follow the same standards. NIST would also set rules for which projects count as "qualified" based on funding size, dataset size, and recipient capability.
NIST rules for AI-ready bio data
This bill would require the NIST Director to make clear rules so federally funded biological data are "AI‑ready." NIST would define key terms and set technical standards within 2 years. NIST would form an advisory group in 180 days, hire staff to help run the work, and publish an inventory of existing standards and datasets within 1 year. These steps would make data easier to reuse but would also require researchers and contractors to change how they collect and format data.
Testing, reports, and 10-year sunset
This bill would require NIST and the NSF to test the rules within 1 year and at least every 2 years after that. NIST would report to Congress and the Comptroller General within 1 year, again within 2 years, and then yearly, including testing results and a cost‑benefit analysis. The Government Accountability Office would report to Congress within 5 years on the rules' impact and undue burden. All authorities in this section would end 10 years after enactment unless Congress renews them.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Todd Young
IN • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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