# 119-hr-10197: Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act

119-hr-10197, Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] (R-TX); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-24).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-10197
- As of: 2026-09-24
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-10197
- Congress: 119
- Title: Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-08-31
- Sponsor: Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] (R-TX)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Commerce
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-24

## Summary

**This bill would create a mandatory, risk-based federal biosafety and biosecurity framework focused on nucleic acid sequences and the companies that synthesize, sell, or distribute them.** It centers on “covered entities” and requires screening, reporting, independent assessments, and a government list of high-risk sequences.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6] (D-PA), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Big fines for DNA sellers: cost, high. If enacted, the Commerce Secretary could investigate covered entities, subpoena records or testimony, and bring civil cases in federal court for violations. The Secretary could seek monetary penalties up to $750,000 per violation, with that cap adjusted each January 1 by changes in the CPI‑U. Befor…
- New rules for DNA sellers: mixed, medium. If enacted, businesses that make or sell nucleic acids or synthesizer devices would have to run a formal compliance program. The program would require verifying buyers, documenting buyer purpose, checking whether a sequence is on a government "covered sequence" list, refusing risky sales under writ…
- Government list of restricted DNA sequences: mixed, medium. If enacted, the Commerce Secretary would create and publish a list of "covered sequences" within 180 days and update it regularly. The Secretary must explain why a sequence is listed and accept confidential public or industry submissions and requests for review. Covered entities could ask for recon…
- Federal rules override some state laws: mixed, medium. If enacted, federal subsection (a) requirements would preempt state or local laws that conflict with those covered‑entity rules. The preemption would take effect when the bill is enacted. The bill preserves many state powers, including contract and tort law, product liability, consumer protection,…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-7188: MOLD Act
- 119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act
- 119-hr-6976: Duty Status Reform Act
- 119-hr-1530: American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act
- 119-hr-6400: Rx ACCESS Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-10197 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/10197)

## Related
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-7188: MOLD Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7188)
- [119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1262)
- [119-hr-6976: Duty Status Reform Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6976)
- [119-hr-1530: American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1530)
- [119-hr-6400: Rx ACCESS Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6400)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-10197 (as of 2026-09-24).