AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act
Sponsored By: Senator Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a federal framework to make biological datasets generated by qualified federally funded research _AI-ready_. It would ask the National Institute of Standards and Technology to set definitions, technical standards, cybersecurity guidance, and a public system for publishing and managing those datasets, and the whole program would include a 10-year sunset.
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- Researchers and institutions would face new funding conditions that require producing AI-ready datasets. NIST would define what counts as AI-ready and what qualifies as federally funded research, and agencies would need policies to enforce those requirements within 2 years.
- Federal departments and agencies that fund such research would have to adopt agency-specific data management rules, designate a Chief Data Officer or equivalent, use cybersecurity frameworks, and publish datasets to a centralized, publicly accessible database.
- Independent oversight and review would be built in. An advisory group of at least 12 members would be formed within 180 days, annual NIST reports would track progress, and the Government Accountability Office must review impact and effectiveness within 5 years. The Federal Acquisition Regulation would be updated to reflect the new standards.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Advisory group to guide standards
If enacted, NIST would form an advisory group within 180 days. The group would have at least 12 members from federal funders, academia, industry, and publishers. Members would serve 2-year terms and the chair would serve a 1-year term. The group would recommend definitions, standards, resources, journal guidance, solicit community input, and give an interim report to NIST within 1 year.
New federal AI-ready data rules
If enacted, NIST would have 2 years to define “artificial intelligence-ready” biological datasets and set standards, data-management resources, and cybersecurity frameworks. Testing would begin within 1 year and happen at least every 2 years. Agencies that fund research would have to make or update data policies within 2 years so funded datasets are AI-ready, ensure funding for recipients to meet requirements, and name officials to enforce compliance. NIST would publish reports to Congress (starting within 1 year), the Comptroller General would report within 5 years, and these authorities would end 10 years after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Young, Todd [R-IN]
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.
View on Congress.gov