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119-s-4023119th CongressWALLET

America’s Living Library Act

Sponsored By: Senator Young, Todd [R-IN]

In Committee

Summary

Creates a U.S.-run genomic sequencing and sample-storage pilot focused on species in the National Park System. The bill would set up a USGS program to collect, sequence, and catalog whole genomes, run a public genomic database with controlled access, require domestic-only handling and storage of physical samples, and fund sequencing and repositories across FY2027–FY2031.

Show full summary
  • Researchers and educators: Gain standardized, quality-checked whole-genome data through a public database and non-public expedited access pathways limited to U.S. entities not owned or controlled by foreign entities of concern.
  • Federal collections and labs: Requires domestic-only sample processing and long-term repositories, names Smithsonian and USDA repositories for storage, and directs multi-agency funding and governance for sequencing and curation.
  • Tribes and conservation enforcement: Requires Tribal consultation and sampling to follow the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Lacey Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and other permitting rules.

*This bill would increase federal spending by about $300 million across FY2027–FY2031.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Domestic-only sample storage rules

If enacted, the bill would require that all physical samples collected by the program stay in the United States for storage, curation, and lab work. Samples would remain owned by the program but may be housed at domestic repositories like the Smithsonian or USDA under written agreements. The Secretary must mark high‑priority species for long‑term storage and keep microbial or pathogen material in separate high‑containment facilities. High‑priority species would be stored at both the Smithsonian collections and USDA germplasm repository.

Genomic pilot for parks and research

If enacted, the bill would create an America’s Living Library pilot office in the U.S. Geological Survey to collect and sequence genomes from National Park units. The Secretary would hire staff and may contract with federal and nonfederal partners, subject to conflict‑of‑interest rules. The Secretary must give Congress an implementation plan within 180 days and pick 5 park units within 180 days and 20 more within 2 years, with public notice of selections. The bill also requires standardized sequencing, data quality and cybersecurity rules, sampling policies that follow federal wildlife laws, and expedited nonpublic data access paths limited to U.S. entities not owned or controlled by foreign entities of concern.

Funding and subscription plan

If enacted, the bill would authorize multi-year funding for the program from FY2027 through FY2031. For example, the Secretary’s office would be authorized about $16.5 million in FY2027–28, $36 million in FY2029, and $54 million in FY2030–31. NIH, Smithsonian, and USDA labs would also get specified annual amounts through FY2031. The bill would also require a report within 3 years that recommends a graduated subscription fee plan for database users based on size and use.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Young, Todd [R-IN]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]

    ME • R

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 3/23/2026

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 8/7/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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