Risky Research Review Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
In Committee
Summary
Creates an independent, binding Life Sciences Research Security Board that would review whether federally funded life‑sciences projects are high‑risk or dual‑use. The Board would have explicit powers to require information, review classified work, set containment and biosafety conditions, and run expedited reviews for emergencies.
Show full summary
- Researchers and institutions: Would need to disclose participation in high‑risk work and could face mandatory pre‑award and ongoing review. Projects deemed high‑risk could receive conditions, recusal requirements, or be denied federal funding.
- Federal agencies and funders: Would be bound by the Board's determinations and could be compelled to provide classified or protected records for review. The Board could set binding biosafety and containment standards for awards.
- Oversight, staffing, and transparency: Would be a nine‑member presidentially appointed Board with an Executive Director and up to 25 staff, require security clearances, publish annual public reports with a classified annex, provide quarterly briefings to two congressional committees, and be subject to GAO audit.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Board review can pause research
If enacted, the Board would have binding power to review proposed or ongoing federally funded life‑sciences work. Agencies would have to notify the Board and the Board must decide within 120 days after notification. The Board could review classified materials, set safety and personnel controls, and temporarily suspend funding while it seeks more information. The bill would bar agencies from awarding federal money for high‑risk work without Board approval. That ban would begin 180 days after the law is enacted. The Board must also review newly added select agents within 15 days.
New federal life sciences board
If enacted, this bill would create a Life Sciences Research Security Board in the executive branch. The Board would get $30,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2035. The Board must publish its review rules within 180 days after its first members are appointed. It must begin doing reviews within 270 days after the law is enacted. The Comptroller General would periodically audit the Board. Board members would have to file financial disclosure reports and respond to Members of Congress within 30 days.
Stricter penalties and reporting
If enacted, agencies must refer entities that knowingly lie or fail to report to suspension and debarment. The Board would refer agency employees who knowingly miss duties to inspectors general. Agency leaders must discipline employees who knowingly break rules and may permanently revoke security clearances. Agencies must send discipline reports to the Board and Congress within 360 days and then at least every 90 days. The Board would post the number of reported violations on a public website within 5 days of each report.
New grant and reporting rules
If enacted, agencies that fund life‑sciences research would have to set up processes to identify high‑risk proposals and send those proposals to the Board. Agencies must post preaward and prepayment rules within 180 days after the Board issues its process and must notify the Board 30 days before an award. Entities seeking federal funding would have to attest under penalty of perjury whether work is high‑risk or involves select agents. If they say yes, they must disclose funding sources. During high‑risk work, entities must report subawards and get agency permission before awarding them. If work may become high‑risk, the entity must pause within 24 hours and notify the agency in writing within 5 days.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
KY • R
Cosponsors
Gary Peters
MI • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in