# 119-s-4991: Homestake AI Act of 2026

119-s-4991, Homestake AI Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD] (R-SD); status introduced (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4991
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-4991
- Congress: 119
- Title: Homestake AI Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-07-15
- Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD] (R-SD)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**This bill would create the Extremophile Whole Genome Sequencing Initiative to collect, catalogue, and sequence whole genomes and metabolites from animals, plants, fungi, and microbes found in extreme environments.** It would also establish a standardized, secure national database and plan for long-term, disaster-resilient physical storage to support scientific discovery and potential medical treatments.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (D-NM), 2026-07-15T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- New national extremophile research program: benefit, low. If enacted, the Secretary of Energy would have to set up an extremophile whole genome sequencing initiative within 90 days. The Secretary could hire contractors and accept donated samples, including from other countries. The bill would allow creation of a 501(c)(3) foundation to receive in-kind pri…
- Plan and rules for sample storage: benefit, low. If enacted, the Secretary would develop a plan within one year to build a long-term storage facility for the samples. The plan must ensure the facility can continue to operate after a catastrophic incident. The Secretary would consult with USDA and the Smithsonian on storage and access management.…
- New rules for sample sites and exports: mixed, low. If enacted, the Secretary would pick at least five sample sites within 180 days of enactment. At least one chosen site must be a mine or former mine deeper than 4,500 feet that houses an underground science facility. The bill would ban collecting samples for the program after five years from enactm…
- Sequencing, database, and data security: mixed, low. If enacted, the initiative would collect, catalogue, and sequence whole genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes from selected sites. The Secretary would require standardized sequencing protocols, automated quality checks, and coordination with USDA and the Smithsonian. Sequence data and…

## Related bills

- 119-s-3257: John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act
- 119-s-1260: Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2025
- 119-s-890: Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2025
- 119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-5025: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026
- 119-s-4441: CREATE AI Act

## Sources
- [119-s-4991 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4991)

## Related
- [119-s-3257: John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3257)
- [119-s-1260: Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1260)
- [119-s-890: Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-890)
- [119-s-3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3597)
- [119-s-5025: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5025)
- [119-s-4441: CREATE AI Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4441)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4991 (as of 2026-09-10).